2nd hand advice

ian_s

Hi - go easy please, first post here

I'm looking for a newish 2nd hand road bike. The only real prerequisite (apart from cash..) is that it can take proper mudguards for winter use. (No need to debate this - I want to be able to ride with a group who insist on mudguards).

I have been watching several Giant SCR and Ribble's on ebay. I am thinking that Tiagra is about the right equipment level - better shifters than Sora and anything better would be wasted on me at this stage (I am pretty much a newbie). I don't know what that equates to in Campagnolo which the Ribbles tend to come with.

I think that means I should be looking at an SCR 2 or 1.5 - is that a good choice?

Also I am about 5'11'' - slightly shorter in leg and longer in torso than average - so I am thinking that a Medium or Large SCR is most likely appropriate. (I suspect XL is way too big - shame as I am watching a couple at the minute..)

I would really appreciate any advice, alternatives, corrections!

Cheers
Ian

guilliano

If you opt for the SCR then you'd need the large. The medium would just be too cramped and the saddle way too far up from the bars to make it comfortable. It is a VERY good alloy frame and the 1.5 was a superb value bike (best selling road bike we had in my shop before it was replaced by the Defy)

ian_s

Do you think the XL would be stupidly big?

Is it worth holding out for a 1.5 over a 2 - I'm not sure what the difference is likely to be.
I watched a 2008 1.5 go for £370 last week which was probably a good deal for someone - do you have any feel for fair prices for newish (07/08) machines?

Cheers
Ian

gabriel959

It would, I am 6'6" and the XL is just fine for me.