Getting started. Need advice on what bike to buy

Wings89

First off a big hello to every one. Im after a bit of info on getting my first road bike and thought what better place to ask than you pro's. Heres why I want a racing bike. I travel 5 miles twice a deal to and throw from work. Good road conditions and also thought it would be better as their fast. I dont have a clue what do what as it'll be my first type of bike. Im 6ft tall. Leg is 34" and 14stone. I've done a little bit of research and THINK I need a 59 frame??

I looked at this one

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B003DZ15CQ/r ... B003DZ15CQ

My budget is around the £200 mark as Im not getting deadly serious about it. Although I am a gym freak and was thinking of doing a cycle for charity next year for "help for hereos"

Would really appricate some feedback. Thanks in advance

Wings89

Or

http://direct.tesco.com/product/images/?R=210-8498

mrwibble

Save your money or increase your budget. 58cm will be about right for you.

Wings89

What sort of budget we talking?

father_jack

Tiagra or nothing tbh also carbon fibre fork..

Wings89

Father Jack wrote:

Tiagra or nothing tbh also carbon fibre fork..

Any idea where I can find these bikes at a good price?

father_jack

Should have got it two weeks ago....Carrera Vanquish £400 :-( Missed the extra 20% off

Wings89

So is that bike on amazon any good? Its just fpr comuniting at the moment really to and back to work

Wings89

Just brought it any way. Thanks

father_jack

Spent more on my saddle :?

Mr752

Father Jack wrote:

Spent more on my saddle :?

So what saddle have you got?

father_jack

Brooks Swallow Titanium

ShutUpLegs

Father Jack wrote:

Brooks Swallow Titanium

Spent more on my pedals

father_jack

Have you even sat on it?

Spent more on one nut

Mr752

Father Jack wrote:

Have you even sat on it?

Spent more on one nut

So because you spent around £200 on a saddle that means that the OP should be offended and spend more on a bike. Some people dont have the disposable income to spend £200 pound on a bike let alone a saddle or pedals so why take the snobbish attitude that you have? My own opinion having sat on plenty of Brooks saddles is that yours is similar to one that my Grandads Grandad had on his bike around the time of the great war and that so what you've spent more, each to his own!!!!!!

father_jack

Comfiest saddles I've ever sat on...

saintdracula

I would personally say that ultimately it's not about the bike. Sure, spending 500 on Allez/Defy/etc means you'll get a more polished bike, but my super cheap Reynolds 531, while scary, does get the job (at least when it's not ghost-shifting).

You honestly don't need to spend that much. Sure, a comfy saddle/sti gear changers will make a difference, but not an essential one. Cyclists for ages have managed fine with much crappier bikes, and while this doesn't mean that you should automatically limit yourself, it does mean that you can do without them. They are means to ends and not indispensable.

Ultimately, all that matters is that you can pedal the cranks and in such a fashion propel yourself forward. Of course, there are more efficient ways of doing it, but no 'objectively better' way. It's really up to you to decide whether greater comfort is worth that extra 200 pounds. It's got little to do with whether you can afford it or not - it's just your values and priorities (which nonetheless will factor in budgetary facts)...

Thebigbee

Not too sure which one you bought but the first one from Amazon - the first review says that it is 15.5 KG!!

WTF - That is VERY heavy for a a bike - let alone a road bike. I am not sure any of my bikes over the years have ever been that heavy.

It isn't made out of steel - it's made out of lead!

If I had £200 to spend the only places I would be looking at would be Ebay, Gumtree, classifieds etc Which I did. After my bikes got nicked I needed some transport and scoured Gumtree and came across a mint - under 50 miles - still with rubber "wear in" on the tyres - a Scott Sportster 2010 P6 hybrid in my size.

RRP £350 - I paid £170. That was my introduction to cycling proper.

Any bike, especially a road bike, that is retailing for under £200, I find it hard to believe it is going to be any good or is going to last.

I wish you all the best and hope it works out well. I just feel for that budget 2nd hand, you could of picked up a Raleigh Airlite, a Claude Butler or a Carrera road bike.

About a year ago a mate of mine picked up a near mint Cannondale Caad 7 off Ebay for £220.

Anyway - best of luck. Let us know how you get on with it

desweller

Before you ride it I'd advise you to check all your bearings to make sure they're OK; they're often not adequately greased and incorrectly preloaded on these cheaper bikes. Make sure all screws and nuts are tight, especially critical items like brake calipers, brake cable clamp screws, stem, cranks, wheelnuts, pedals.

A cheaper bike is not necessarily a lost cause; I paid £160 for a new hybrid a few years ago and I've still got it! Well, most of it. Well, some of it. OK, just the frame, front mech, stem and one of the shifters. I must admit it's a bit of a Trigger's Broom job.

Good luck, and let us know how you get on!

father_jack

Check BB thread has anti seize too, my Carrera didn't. Put copper grease on all bolts, and use a torque wrench. Lithium grease on the seatpost will do, cheap and grease every now and then.