total newbie needs advice

tizbad

hi all, rode my 1st road bike 3 days ago and am hooked!
local shop very kindly lent me a trek 1.1 to try, rode it last 2 evenings & loved it.
returned bike tonight & shop owner suggested i try 2nd bike - a Battaglini not sure which model, but similar to this one

http://comprovendo.secondamano.it/annun ... io-1493003

the bike is mint! owner told me it's about ten years old & was in the region of 1500 - 1800 pounds when new. most parts are campagnolo

price for both bikes is roughly £500.

do i go for the new trek or the older bike, which has old style stem/steerer tube set up
+ the brakes are the wrong way round

many thanks to those that take the time to reply

rob

optimisticbiker

Hi Rob,

Not an expert, but I'd consider the relative maintainability of the Trek v the expense of parts for the other. Have to ask the question why he's selling the Battaglini.

At the end of the day which bike felt better to ride?

MountainMonster

Fit is the most important thing to worry about when buying a new bike, then ease of parts after that. Old style quill stems are becoming very out of date, and while they are cheap, they can be sometimes hard to find a decent quality one, and decent enough looking IMO.

I would personally go for the Trek, as you then have warranty should anything happen, and it will be easier to get parts if/when you feel like upgrading anything on it. That is if it fits well though.

JustinLeeAtkinson

+ 1 for the Trek, assuming it fits, it will be easier to maintain.