Super budget road bike

junglist_matty

I'm considering buying myself a cheap road bike, a friend of mine wants me to join him on doing the London to Brighton this year and also the Oxford to Cambridge ride plus do a load of training on the road to improve fitness.

I know a lot about moutain bikes, but I know nothing about road bikes, I would like some advise on what I should look out for or what is a good deal or what to bike to buy, I'm looking at buying a bike second hand.

My limit is £150 and not a penny more, many thanks,

SCR Pedro

For that budget, I would ask your LBS to notify you of any trade-ins that they want to clear.

Either that, or get skimming the local classified ads.

Pedro

redddraggon

You might get something second hand with Sora level (but probably lower) stuff for £150. All you can do is trawl second hand ads. Even then then 2nd hand bike might need new tyres/cassette/chain

I can't imagine you'd get anything new that's any good.

For new and £150 these days probably only buys you a set of wheels with 8speed cassette and tyres.

cougie

At that budget - why not just get a set of slick tyres and wheels for your MTB ?

redddraggon

Perhaps post a wanted ad in the classifieds?

cougie wrote:

At that budget - why not just get a set of slick tyres and wheels for your MTB ?

+1

sicknote

I would also keep an eye on ebay as the bike I have cost me a bit less than that to get on the road.

It came with old velcoe brake/ gear changers so I would say I did not do to bad.

It cost about £80 with postage and about £40 or so for the bits that needed changing, chain, brake blocks, tyres, inner tubes and some of the cables, plus some bar tape.

Got most of it on Ebay and saved a few £.

I did London to Cambridge on it last year and plan to do it again this year too.

junglist_matty

cougie wrote:

At that budget - why not just get a set of slick tyres and wheels for your MTB ?

This is what I was thinking, my mtb bike is fairly light, (about 28lbs) and can fully lockout the forks and the rear shock can be pumped up and pro-pedal put on and its pretty much solid, even so, would that be better than a cheapo second hand road bike? I don't really know how much they weigh?

Cheers,

TornadoTom

junglist_matty wrote:

cougie wrote:

At that budget - why not just get a set of slick tyres and wheels for your MTB ?

This is what I was thinking, my mtb bike is fairly light, (about 28lbs) and can fully lockout the forks and the rear shock can be pumped up and pro-pedal put on and its pretty much solid, even so, would that be better than a cheapo second hand road bike? I don't really know how much they weigh?

Cheers,

Mine weighs 15lb

keef66

My road bike weighs 20 lb

Before that I had a rigid MTB on slicks and that weighed 30lb (racelight steel frame) You sure your full sus job only weighs 28??

cougie

I'd be amazed if Tornado Toms bike is a second hand one costing £150 - its probably nearer ten times that value ?

The weight of the bike isnt that important once its rolling - ok - on climbing you'd notice it - but on the flat - you wouldnt.

I honestly cant see you'd get anything worthwhile at £150 - if your MTB is decent - just swap the wheels over - you're happy with the position after all I guess ?

I can put up with a heavy bike - what I cant cope with is a bike that jumps gears, or squeaks or the brakes dont work well - thats the danger with a cheapy bike.

ketsbaia

I picked up my first road bike on eBay - Peugeot Team Festina replica with some Campy stuff on it (mostly Mirage and Veloce, but in reasonable condition). Came in at around £120 and, after a £50 service, it was absolutely fine. Did the Capital to Coast ride on it with no problems. Have since put new wheels/groupset on it and it's currently my steed of choice, although it will be relegated to winter hack when I buy my new one.

eBay and local bike shop is your friend in this case, I reckon.

sicknote

cougie wrote:

I'd be amazed if Tornado Toms bike is a second hand one costing £150 - its probably nearer ten times that value ?

The weight of the bike isnt that important once its rolling - ok - on climbing you'd notice it - but on the flat - you wouldnt.

I honestly cant see you'd get anything worthwhile at £150 - if your MTB is decent - just swap the wheels over - you're happy with the position after all I guess ?

I can put up with a heavy bike - what I cant cope with is a bike that jumps gears, or squeaks or the brakes dont work well - thats the danger with a cheapy bike.

It can be done with a little luck and will try to post a pic of mine but have to have to back wheel re-built ( needed a new rim ), after one of my rear lights when in to my rear wheel

I also got it from ebay.

sicknewt

I did the London to Brighton last year on my hardtail MTB and it was fine.

Get some decent slicks on it and you will be good to go.

carrock

wasn't there a guy in africa that won a sportive or minor road race on a mountain bike??

It probably didn't cost £150 but you never know...

Many years ago I started off buying a full sus mountain bike from Sterling House- A universal or some garbage, and traded up every 18 months or so until I now have a rockhopper and roubaix- buying a bike for £150 is, in my opinion, a waste of £150 UNLESS it cost £400 min. when new and is being bought second hand.

I'd rather spend £70 on a bike from Asda or tesco, the remaining £80 on drugs to get me through the ride, then chuck in the nearest skip at the end of the ride

passout

150 is pushing it but you may get lucky with a used bike. 375 puts you in the realm of decent enough new road bikes in my opinion.

kingrollo

I got my kids great road bikes by just posting a wanted ad in classifieds - do this before ebay - the prices go way OTT on ebay.