2nd hand road bike for a complete novice £300-400 ?

robadub

hello, have ridden mountain bikes my entire life, and at the ripe old age of 29 im looking to get into road

would love some reccomendations on what would be a good starter bike for the above prices

am thinking along the lines of a specialized allez ? although not sure which model is best ?

also like the look of the bianchi's though again not sure what model ?

giant ocr 's have also been mentioned to me by a friend ?

all help greatfuly recieved thanks !

nochekmate

The Specialized Allez Elite is a fine entry road bike IMO. The older spec (2008) is better than the new 2010 spec in that it had both carbon forks and carbon rear stays, whereas Specialized, like a number of other manufacturers downgraded their spec of late in order to keep their price point in the market. The 2008 Allez Elites go for around your budget secondhand.

The link below is for a 2010 Allez Elite and shows that your price point is about right for this model
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Specialized-Allez ... 4cf3bc9d96

This bike on eBay is reasonable spec for the price (and I'm not trying to sell it for myself!) - try a cheeky offer, you may get it for £340 or so.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Specialized-Rubai ... 230c625469

The Bianchi Via Nirone is a fine looking bike for the money IMO - the frameset is attractive and the Bianchi name is always well sought after and there are usually plenty of these for sale around your price point of £400.

Good luck - I think that these and the Giant OCR series are the main players at your price point. Above all make sure that you get the sizing correct! A bit of risk associated with buying on eBay but if you pay cash on collection you can always walk away and there are occasional bargains to be had (I wouldn't class the two links as bargains as such but fair price for the bikes IMO)

rake

have you seen the caad 5 in the sale section. look pretty good, nice wheels, ultegra .
http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... t=12746091

meanredspider

I'm getting around to selling my Focus Variado Compact with full 105 set up and 56cm which was a great start for me. PM me if that's the sort of thing you're looking for and I can give you the details. I've just traded up to the Focus Cayo.

robadub

thanks for the help guys, think i'm kinda set on getting a bianchi of some sorts now

with regard to the sizing im 5'9' so was thinking a 54cm frame would be best ?

seems a little confusing on ebay as some are marked up as 57 but seem rather small ?

fungus_the_muffin_man

I'm 5'10 and I was fitted at a 53cm Bianchi if that helps

robadub

thanks fungus

is 380 a decent price for this ?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Bianchi-Nirone-7- ... 35ae8b68c9

d87heaven

I got a wilier escape 2 months old for £400 from the for sale section on here. You see a few on ebay for that sort of money.

robadub

Bianchi via nirone here, sees like a good deal to me ? tempted to bid, is it worth £325 ?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0513716723

TMR

robadub wrote:

Bianchi via nirone here, sees like a good deal to me ? tempted to bid, is it worth £325 ?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0513716723

I'd say that was well worth the asking price, on the basis it is exactly as described. You're getting 105 pedals thrown in as well, so that'll save you £40.

Go for it if you like the looks, it's not an aggressive frame, so should be a comfortable ride.

robadub

The Mad Rapper wrote:

robadub wrote:

Bianchi via nirone here, sees like a good deal to me ? tempted to bid, is it worth £325 ?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0513716723

I'd say that was well worth the asking price, on the basis it is exactly as described. You're getting 105 pedals thrown in as well, so that'll save you £40.

Go for it if you like the looks, it's not an aggressive frame, so should be a comfortable ride.

bloody sold by the time i got back to look at it !

back to the drawing board !

DCowling

Why go second hand when you could get new at Evans's
http://www.evanscycles.com/categories/s ... er_page=20

I very nearly went there but bit the bullet and got a Boardman comp in a weekend sale at halfords, otherwise was looking at a Trek 1.1 for £380

robadub

DCowling wrote:

Why go second hand when you could get new at Evans's
http://www.evanscycles.com/categories/s ... er_page=20

I very nearly went there but bit the bullet and got a Boardman comp in a weekend sale at halfords, otherwise was looking at a Trek 1.1 for £380

im figuring i will get alot better components on a 2nd hand bike for the money i want to spend

granted they will be used though

Andrew N

@robadub second hand is a great way to get your first road bike...(I would say that given the fact I set up Going Going Bike).

I've had a look on our auctions and I can't recommend anything to you today, but if you are don't find what you want elsewhere please check out what's on offer.