Selling my first road bike to get a better second hand bike?

DarrenP
DarrenP Posts: 4
edited April 2010 in Road beginners
I bought my first road bike last year - a Fuji Roubaix Pro 09. Although I hadn't heard of Fuji the spec was good (105 group set) for the price £825 and it's proved pretty good - I have comfortably rode a few sportives. Now a friend is offering to sell his Bianchi 1885 veloce 08 bike to me and I'm wondering if it's worth bothering with. He's only clocked up 100 miles so the bike is brand new and he only wants £500 for it but it would mean selling the Fuji. What is concerning me though is that the Fuji is a 54cm frame (I'm 5'6) but the bianchi is a 51cm frame (despite my friend being slightly taller). Just wondering if the 2 makes have slightly different sizing? If a 51cm frame on the Bianchi isn't a show stopper then this feels like a good deal to me but hoping someone can advise me as I'm unfamiliar with Bianchi and am still a bit of a novice about road bikes...

Comments

  • skyd0g
    skyd0g Posts: 2,540
    Take it for a test ride & see how it feels. At 5'6 a 51cm frame sounds like a much better fit than a 54cm.
    Check the manufacturers websites for geom info.
    Cycling weakly
  • Tom Butcher
    Tom Butcher Posts: 3,830
    If you are happy with your Fuji I'd just keep it - if the Bianchi is better the difference will be minimal and not worth the aggro of selling the Fuji and the risk that when you have done a few rides on the new bike you'll find you aren't totally happy with the size. The only way I'd change my mind on that is if the Bianchi was an incredible bargain - some people do buy stuff, get bored and then just get rid for next to nothing.

    it's a hard life if you don't weaken.
  • Sounds like a good deal to me. The Bianchi 1885 Veloce now retails for around £1,200 I think. So if he's only done 100 miles on it then that sounds a good price.

    I have an Bianchi 1885 and enjoy it very much. I'm not sure what type of riding you do but mine's got quite a quick, twitchy, race-oriented feel which may or may not be your cup of tea. I also ride Sportives on it too and have no concerns regarding comfort on the longer rides. I did have to change the saddle though but that's just a personal thing.

    The best thing about buying from a mate is that he's going to let you take it for a decent test ride (I hope)! You can then decide if the bike is the right size and feel you're interested in.