Bike suggestions @ £500

CrouchingWayne

Hi all,

I'm considering treating myself to a new road bike - I've got a Carrera Virtuoso which I've used this year (from about April) to be sure I'm into cycling and I will keep it as a beater/possible commuter so really looking for something as a toy to blast around on. Last year I did about 500 miles but I'm looking to do much more this year with less draws on my time.

I don't see myself buying another roadie for a few years so would like something that is worth upgrading should the need arise.

I'm currently considering the typical Specialized Allez 16 speed for £499. Also had a quick peak at the Forme Vision for £540 but can't find much info on this? I have read good things about the Specialized but the Forme list price is much higher - Is it a better bike as a result? Any other bikes worth looking at.

I'm looking for a 51-53cm frame - open to steel or alu frame but would quite like to try a carbon fork to reduce road buzz in the wrists.

All this started from looking at a fun single speed ( trek district and triton) but they seem expensive for the comparatively basic set up.

nochekmate

Go secondhand at £500 - you may bag a bargain and the spec will blow the Allez and Forme Vision out of the water. Money is tight at the moment and pre-Christmas, so not too many buyers wishing to part with that sort of cash at the moment. £500 secondhand may get you a carbon framed bike with Shimano 105, Campag Veloce type spec (or better!)

A 51-53cm frame sees a smaller secondhand market from a buyer's point of view.

A quick look on eBay shows a couple of Trek 1.5s for less than £400 (and you may find something better than these even).

thescouselander

nochekmate wrote:

Go secondhand at £500 - you may bag a bargain and the spec will blow the Allez and Forme Vision out of the water. Money is tight at the moment and pre-Christmas, so not too many buyers wishing to part with that sort of cash at the moment. £500 secondhand may get you a carbon framed bike with Shimano 105, Campag Veloce type spec (or better!)

A 51-53cm frame sees a smaller secondhand market from a buyer's point of view.

A quick look on eBay shows a couple of Trek 1.5s for less than £400 (and you may find something better than these even).

I've often heard this sort of thing being said but in reality I've never seen it. Where can these deals be found?

Wirral_paul

thescouselander wrote:

I've often heard this sort of thing being said but in reality I've never seen it. Where can these deals be found?

Just up the road from you Scouselander.... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TREK-1-5-Cycle-/190615588051?pt=UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item2c61930cd3#ht_555wt_1054 depending on your size of course.

nochekmate

thescouselander wrote:

nochekmate wrote:

Go secondhand at £500 - you may bag a bargain and the spec will blow the Allez and Forme Vision out of the water. Money is tight at the moment and pre-Christmas, so not too many buyers wishing to part with that sort of cash at the moment. £500 secondhand may get you a carbon framed bike with Shimano 105, Campag Veloce type spec (or better!)

A 51-53cm frame sees a smaller secondhand market from a buyer's point of view.

A quick look on eBay shows a couple of Trek 1.5s for less than £400 (and you may find something better than these even).

I've often heard this sort of thing being said but in reality I've never seen it. Where can these deals be found?

Not the OP's size but I thought that this was good value (although chainset looked marked) the other day - didn't bid myself

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/OPERA-LEONARD ... 336f522612

amaferanga

thescouselander wrote:

nochekmate wrote:

Go secondhand at £500 - you may bag a bargain and the spec will blow the Allez and Forme Vision out of the water. Money is tight at the moment and pre-Christmas, so not too many buyers wishing to part with that sort of cash at the moment. £500 secondhand may get you a carbon framed bike with Shimano 105, Campag Veloce type spec (or better!)

A 51-53cm frame sees a smaller secondhand market from a buyer's point of view.

A quick look on eBay shows a couple of Trek 1.5s for less than £400 (and you may find something better than these even).

I've often heard this sort of thing being said but in reality I've never seen it. Where can these deals be found?

I sold a Kuota Kharma with 105 on here earlier in the year for less than £500. Unfortunately a lot of the bikes you see advertised on here and eBay are ridiculously overpriced.

nochekmate

amaferanga wrote:

thescouselander wrote:

nochekmate wrote:

Go secondhand at £500 - you may bag a bargain and the spec will blow the Allez and Forme Vision out of the water. Money is tight at the moment and pre-Christmas, so not too many buyers wishing to part with that sort of cash at the moment. £500 secondhand may get you a carbon framed bike with Shimano 105, Campag Veloce type spec (or better!)

A 51-53cm frame sees a smaller secondhand market from a buyer's point of view.

A quick look on eBay shows a couple of Trek 1.5s for less than £400 (and you may find something better than these even).

I've often heard this sort of thing being said but in reality I've never seen it. Where can these deals be found?

I sold a Kuota Kharma with 105 on here earlier in the year for less than £500. Unfortunately a lot of the bikes you see advertised on here and eBay are ridiculously overpriced.

Yes and I thought it was good value and bought it from you My son is now riding it - thanks. As you said, a nice bike for the money.

CrouchingWayne

As noted by someone my size (5'7") limits the second hand market. Further as I stay in Aberdeen finding a bike second hand that people will post is extremely rare. Unfortunately that all but rules out the second hand market!

Has anyone got any thoughts on the Allez vx Forme?

Wirral_paul

There are ebay couriers who will collect a bike if it is boxed up. Usually cost around £18 or so. Well worth contacting any sellers to ask them about packing a bike for you as many will agree - an extra bidder or two will push their sale price up.

heavy_rat

not sure you'll notice that much difference between the Vituoso and an Allez. Stick with what you've got and save another £500 and then buy a new bike.

nochekmate

Plenty of sellers willing to courier - I am always happy to courier as it widens the seller market - only 1 bad experience.

Whilst your height limits the number of bikes available, it also means that there will be fewer people potentially chasing a secondhand sale, so the prices might not be as high as those bikes in range 54/56/58cm.

I'll keep my eye out for anything that may be worthwhile on eBay

CrouchingWayne

Thanks for the responses so far.

I'm fairly new to cycling so still trying to sus out what components are decent - thus my postings!

I've got no real need for another bike as the Carrera is ok (although the gears need tweaked just now) I think it's just N+1 kicking in with the Christmas bonus arriving. I also thought it might be a good time to grab a 2011 model bargain but I may be wrong.

I spotted the Forme at a 40% discount so thought it was a potential bargain but can't find any info on it surprisingly. I'll keep looking at new and second hand.

gmacz

Edinburgh bike shop do Giant bikes, try one of these in your price range.
Big shop in Aberdeen, save xmas money and go in with a bigger budget.
Second hand market on Gumtree Aberdeen is pretty good.
Nothing better than a brand new bike.

nochekmate

gmacz wrote:

Edinburgh bike shop do Giant bikes, try one of these in your price range.
Big shop in Aberdeen, save xmas money and go in with a bigger budget.
Second hand market on Gumtree Aberdeen is pretty good.
Nothing better than a brand new bike.

Maybe the case but not at £500 IMO as £500 new doesn't buy great spec unfortunately.

puppiesdanglybits

Saw a giant defy 2 for about £550 online not sure if it was all terrain or tredz, 2011 model, these have carbon forks & grams good for upgrades at a later date

arlowood

Hi CrouchingWayne

Check out the Wiggle end of season offers. They have a Raleigh Airlight 300 and a GT GTR Series 3 both with 40% discount and in sizes that would suit you.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/raleigh-airlite-300-2011/

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/gt-gtr-series-3-2011/

Both are specced with Shimano Tiagra and are both around the £500 price point.

Only downside is that I believe Wiggle do not operate their 30 day returns policy on discounted items.

smeev

arlowood wrote:

Hi CrouchingWayne

Check out the Wiggle end of season offers. They have a Raleigh Airlight 300 and a GT GTR Series 3 both with 40% discount and in sizes that would suit you.

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/raleigh-airlite-300-2011/

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/gt-gtr-series-3-2011/

Both are specced with Shimano Tiagra and are both around the £500 price point.

Only downside is that I believe Wiggle do not operate their 30 day returns policy on discounted items.

If you can stretch your budget maybe, I brought a Giant TCR 2 from Wiggle @ 36% off the RRP. I payed about £630 for it & it very good indeed, full spec tiagra thougout, weighed in at 9.3kg. I have owned an 2009 allez 16 previously & the higher spec giant is a lot better by far. I did a lot of research before buying what I did & there are lot of good deals about & on eBay.