Looking for my first road bike

isedeasy

Hi everyone

I am sure you get this question alot but I am really struggling on what my best option is.

I want to buy a road bike so that I can cycle to work (about a 30 mile round trip). I don't want to spend to much just in case I get bored after a few weeks (I am pretty fit but not sure how much I will enjoy it).

I want to spend no more than £200 - £300 on a bike, I have been looking for a new bike and for the money I am willing to spend it seems my choice is very limited.

The only real thing I really want is combined brake/gear levers (not sure of the technical term).

I have found this bike on ebay but I can't seem to find any reviews/info on the bike other than the specs which mean very little to me, this is kind of putting me off this particular bike:-

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 0540213004

Does this bike look like good value? Are there better bikes in my price range? Should I be looking for a second hand bike?

Thank you for taking the time to read this

Phil

Wirral_paul

For that sort of price, i'd suggest the 2nd hand option would be better.

Do you know of any cyclists local to you who could have a look at a couple of bikes with you?? Biggest mistake most make is buying a frame thats the wrong size (generally buying too big).

Wirral_paul

Wirral_Paul wrote:

For that sort of price, i'd suggest the 2nd hand option would generally be better. 2012 bikes come out shortly though so should be plenty of discount bargains showing up at the retailers with discounts like you've seen

Do you know of any cyclists local to you who could have a look at a couple of bikes with you?? Biggest mistake most make is buying a frame thats the wrong size (generally buying too big).

isedeasy

I have not even considered fram size :?

I am 5'11'' with 32-34'' inside leg so would around 55cm be about right?

The problem with second hand is that I don't want to spend my money on a bike to find I need to replace tyres/breaks and get it serviced etc.

Where is the best place to look for second hand bikes?

Ringo 68

isedeasy wrote:

I have not even considered fram size :?

I am 5'11'' with 32-34'' inside leg so would around 55cm be about right?

The problem with second hand is that I don't want to spend my money on a bike to find I need to replace tyres/breaks and get it serviced etc.

Where is the best place to look for second hand bikes?

I am 5'11" with a 32" inside leg and a 56cm frame seems to be the best size for me.

Maybe a more experienced cyclist could comfirm?

LeicesterLad

isedeasy wrote:

I have not even considered fram size :?

I am 5'11'' with 32-34'' inside leg so would around 55cm be about right?

The problem with second hand is that I don't want to spend my money on a bike to find I need to replace tyres/breaks and get it serviced etc.

Where is the best place to look for second hand bikes?

If you get a good Second hand bike it will be fine, if you buy a Big Sur you will have to replace tyres, breaks and get it serviced because frankly its a piece of argos style sh*te.

Alibran

isedeasy wrote:

The problem with second hand is that I don't want to spend my money on a bike to find I need to replace tyres/breaks and get it serviced etc

If you're buying it for commuting, you may well find you need to replace tyres and brake pads on a new bike as well - tyres for something with better puncture resistance, and brake pads for something that works better in the wet. That was my experience of buying a £600 road bike for commuting.

isedeasy

Ok so second hand it is then

Where is the best place to look? ebay? Gumtree? trade-it?

I gues it's going to have to be local as I will most likely have to pickup.

Anyone have a nice second hand road bike for sale for £200 - £300 in the Bristol area :P

bobones

£300 road bike with carbon fork, triple chainset, and STI shifters. Probably the best value for money, new, entry-level road bike at the moment. I'm about the same size as you and I ride 56 and 58 bikes.

mouth

11-32 rear cassette? climbers bike then.

clarkey cat

The Road Classified section of this website has some good stuff.

This is within budget - http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12795159