SORRY; new to road biking, advice please?

Dobbs
Dobbs Posts: 186
edited October 2010 in Road buying advice
Hello all,
I'm a bit fed up with doing all of my cycling at the weekend (MTB) and would like to get fitter and stronger by riding during the week. Road cycling seems far more enjoyable than buying a spinner/machine etc.
Obvoiusly I'd like as nice a bike as I can get for my money so second hand seems the best option.
Friends tell me to try to get a carbon frame and at least a 105? groupset if possible. Is this possible on a budget of ~£500?
I don't expect to get something pristine so don't mind the odd scratch here or there as long as the bike's in good mechanical condition and not as old as the hills.
I'm not a brand snob, so would consider most stuff. Any suggestions?
I could push the budget for something that calls my name!
Thanks in advance for any advice.

Comments

  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,666
    Don't get hung up on the carbon thing!

    Have a look on the classifieds here, it's as good a starting point as any.
  • nochekmate
    nochekmate Posts: 3,460
    Dobbs wrote:
    Friends tell me to try to get a carbon frame and at least a 105? groupset if possible. Is this possible on a budget of ~£500?

    It's tough to get a carbon bike and 105 groupset for £500 but NOT impossible (they don't come around very often mind!) I bought a 56cm carbon Isaac Pascal from eBay at £400 Buy It Now - a friend of mine had a budget of just £400 to start with and he's got an absolute bargain. The bike was immaculate - owner emigrating.

    Another work colleague has an even tighter budget but this week I picked up a Specialized Allez Elite - again from eBay - for £300 Buy It Now. This is a very good road bike for that money. This bike is a couple of years old but again in very good condition and has carbon forks and seat stays (unlike the newer models I believe).

    A CAAD9 went for £500 last week I believe - NapD above will heartily recommend this bike, judging by other comments on the forum.

    So my advice would be to stay away from the auctions on eBay but look out for what looks like a bargain at Buy It Now prices.

    Good luck
  • father_jack
    father_jack Posts: 3,509
    Don't have to get 105/carbon. Alu/carbon with Tiagra is a well specced bike.
    Say... That's a nice bike..
    Trax T700 with Lew Racing Pro VT-1 ;-)
  • rando
    rando Posts: 285
    Does anyone have any views on this.[/url] http://www.rutlandcycling.com/24613/Ral ... -Bike.html
    Seems a decent bike to me for the money. I am also trying to find a decent road bike for the first time. Opinions on this bike appreciated.
  • father_jack
    father_jack Posts: 3,509
    seems fine, although check rear derailler is Tiagra too. Mate has a alu/carbon/Tiagra bike
    Say... That's a nice bike..
    Trax T700 with Lew Racing Pro VT-1 ;-)
  • Mettan
    Mettan Posts: 2,103
    rando wrote:
    Does anyone have any views on this.[/url] http://www.rutlandcycling.com/24613/Ral ... -Bike.html
    Seems a decent bike to me for the money. I am also trying to find a decent road bike for the first time. Opinions on this bike appreciated.

    It's an adequate enough starter road bike - it's got a compact chainset so your nicely setup for hills (with mileage in the legs) - most people at some point would swap these wheels and tyres for something better - so you've got some nice upgrades to look forward to. There are a couple of other bikes in and around 500 quid, so have a look around before making any final decisions.

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