Advice on buying first road bike

Dantheman85

Hi everyone,

I'm new to the bike world and was hoping for some advice. I'm planning to commute to work each day in central London. It is around 5 miles each way; 10mile round trip.
I've seen the 2011 Python RX3 60CM Road Racing Bike Bicycle, Shimano 16 Speed. For a good price Around £320 rrp 500 normally.

Does anyone know if this bike is any good? I'm having trouble finding reviews.

Thanks in advance for any comments.
Size - 60cm
Colour - Red
Frame Python alloy racing frame
Fork - Python alloy fork
Wheels - Alex, R-450
Gears - Shimano 2200, 16 Speed
Chainset - Steel 39/53t double with an alloy crank
Brakes - Promax alloy with release mechanism
Saddle - Python road design with cro-mo rails
Tyres - Kenda koncept 700x23
http://www.discountbicycles.co.uk/biz/product.php/7198/0/python_rx3_racing_bike

arlowood

If you're looking in that price range then you might be better considering the Raleigh Airlite 100. The 2011 model got good reviews and can be sourced on Ebay for under £400.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/250984883536? ... 1438.l2649

If you can stretch your budget to £500 then the 2012 model was recently reviewed in Cycling Plus and came out with a better review than the 2011 model.

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... 0-11-41657


Who knows with a bit of judicious haggling you could probably get 10 or 15% off the 2012 model. Seems worth considering based on the reviews

craker

Given your budget and intended use I'd consider secondhand - and not necessarily a road bike. Commuting every day takes its toll on a bike and you'll want to remember mudguards and lights and luggage carrying capability. Where's the bike going to be kept at both ends?

Dantheman85

Thanks for the comments.
400 is the top of my budget to be honest, just to break me in slowly into the commuting and then in a few years hope to upgrade towards the 1000 mark.

The bike will be kept indoors both ends, would you suggest a different bike due to the short commute and the start/stop of london roads? Luggage carrying isn't needed.

Thanks

Dantheman85

Also, where is best for second hand? Thanks

EarlyGo

Dan,

How tall are you? A 60cm frame is a big frame! I'm guessing that you'd need to be well over 6ft tall to even get close to it fitting you.

Only buy second hand if you have a reasonable knowledge about what size bike you need and also you'll need to test ride it.

Regards, EarlyGo

Dantheman85

Hi earlygo,

I'm just over 6ft 2inchs, with ver limited knowledge. So maybe secondhand isn't the way to go for me!

Thanks
Dan

EarlyGo

Dan,

If you can stretch to £500 you'll get something that's semi-decent as a first road bike from your local bike shop. If not, Halfords have some offers on at the moment so might be worth looking at (although they're not renowned for their customer service). Cycling+ magazine recently reviewed £500 road bikes so it might be worth checking that out. Don't forget to budget for all the accessories though(helmet, gloves, pump, lights, rack, hi-vis top, spare inner tube, multi-tool etc!). If you buy the bike from a shop they usually do a good discount if you buy the accessories from them at the same time.

At 6' 2" that bike might just fit you, but I'd guess a 58cm frame might be better. You can get some real bargains second hand, but you need to know (or have a mate who knows) what you're looking at or else you could just end up wasting several hundred quid.

Regards, EarlyGo

notlongnow

http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/raleigh- ... 64270.html
http://www.allterraincycles.co.uk/product/122563.html
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-3-id_8167038.html

Three decent bikes under your budget