what bike?

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I'm 5'10 and a MTB'r looking for a road bike to vary my rides. Two questions really what road bike size is right for me? and Looking to buy a second hand bike through ebay probably looking at around £400-£500, What bikes are good value second hand as I dont really want to regret buying one a few months later.


Thanks,
Mark.

Wooliferkins

There are a lot of good new bikes at that price. Have a look at the reviews on this site filtered down to your price band and there is a lot to pick from. Plus it is the end of the sales year so LBS will be looking to clear 2009 stock. Try and find a shop that offers a measuring service as brand sizing varies. It is well worth the price, I've not moved a screw on the bike that was fitted for me and it is a joy to ride. Second hand can get you good deals but you really need to know what you are about.

speedo

rather than waste your money on buying something without trying ,go to your local bike shop.
They are there to help,and will be able to answer any questions you may have.
My local bike shop allows you to try several bikes on the road around a 1 mile loop
Trying is everthing
Good shopping

bice

There are plenty of bike shops that will sell you the wrong frame size, as numerous posts here confirm. And in chains like Evans or Halfords the sales staff may not know/care.

Nothing wrong with buying over the Net, but you must know your correct frame size (and realize that Giant, and therefore Boardman/Carrera and some others, have compact frames and are measured differently.)

You are probably a normal frame size of 56cm.

I'd say a really good quality steel frame is still a bargain (but you must know what you are bidding for, and not end up with something chunky and unexceptional). I'd go for good basic alu/carbon fork types: Carrera, Boardman, Giant, Specialised allez etc

huuregeil

This is the single best sizing guide I've found on the web:

http://davesbikeblog.blogspot.com/2006/ ... izing.html

Simple and generally spot on. If you follow his advice (and the chart via the link), you won't go too far wrong. Only thing to bear in mind is that chart is for horizontal top-tube bikes - to adjust for a sloping top tube bike, then make sure you comparethe c-c virtual top-tube and seat-tube dimensions.

£500 on ebay gets you a great bike. Best value out there, IMO, is a good new-ish (e.g. late 90s, early noughties) steel frame with 9 or 10 speed groupset. Stay away from the well known brands (Trek, Giant, 'dale, etc.) for value. I recently bought a great italian steel frame with handbuilt wheels, campag veloce for a touch over £300, all in perfect condition. You do have to know what you're doing a little though, but if you're a MTBer I'm guessing you're pretty comfortable with bike mechanics and the like? Otherwise find a roadie friend to help you out!

huuregeil

E.g. just a quick flick at ebay threw up item 200374473975 - a top of the range (these were pro frames inthe 90s) Merckx, campag 8 speed, nice wheels. This would be a superb ride and is a lovely bike, I'd love to own one! Current £311, although this will probably go up.

55cm too, if you're fast :-)

Can't go wrong with a decent steel frame. (assuming no rust, and seatpost or stem or bb not stuck!)

bice

huuregeil wrote:

E.g. just a quick flick at ebay threw up item 200374473975 - a top of the range (these were pro frames inthe 90s) Merckx, campag 8 speed, nice wheels. This would be a superb ride and is a lovely bike, I'd love to own one! Current £311, although this will probably go up.

55cm too, if you're fast :-)

Can't go wrong with a decent steel frame. (assuming no rust, and seatpost or stem or bb not stuck!)

Agreed. And that's a beautiful bike. I doubt it will weigh any more than the alu/carbon fibre modern bikes. I spent £850 building up a steel Lazzaretti with Chorus and Record stuff.

huuregeil

Sold for £440 in the end. Bargain, that's the kind of thing you want to be looking at!