A few questions from a newbie

tyke1973

Hello everyone,

I've given up the smokes after 22 years and after being donated a mountain bike by a relative i've started to get out and about. I'd really like to get into road riding though, and the mountain bike rides like i've to peel the tyres from the road. I'm unemployed so money is VERY tight. I've read up and decided the Btwin Triban 3 is a good place to start but gathering £300 isn't going to be easy, so this is my question:

As a teenager (1987 to be excact) i used to have a Raleigh Flyer (not to be confused with the fixie they sell now). I loved the bike and looked on eBay at a Raleigh Equipe which looked in great shape (sold for £98). I was very tempted but thought i'd ask on here how these old Raleighs IE Equipe, Record, Team Banana etc stand up against say the Triban 3 or Carrera TDF?

Thanks in advance

pauldavid

I've just gone through a similar process with my car.

I really wanted a new Mondeo, but on consideration bought a Mark 1 Escort. They're both cars, they can't be that different and I doubt the Escort can have worn out just yet. Got to go, the wifes ready to help bump start the car so I can go to work.



PUSH MAVIS PUSH

southdownswolf

I have an old Raleigh Equipe that I brought off Ebay for £25 last year. I spent about £75 to get it on the road and have loved it since. Make sure that it will fit you though if buying off ebay.

How can a bike be compared to a car? Just because the frame might be old, does not mean that it will be rubbish. As for the engine, that will be the same which ever bike the OP choses ie; the op. The brakes might not be quite as good as a new bike, but will not be considerably different. The only thing that might make a bit of difference is the shifters.

snoopsmydogg

if you enjoy cycling then dont worry about what you ride. I currently ride a chromo framed raleigh from the early 2000s and tbh i really enjoy it, am currently in the process of upgrading but thats only from spending the last few months sourcing cheap parts as they appeared on ebay/classifieds. The Raleigh will stay with me and still get used for winter/bad weather etc.

The main benefits of newer bikes are possibly weight (not sure how heavy the old raleighs are but mine weighs more than my gt hardtail mtb) and compact gearing which can help when it comes to steeper climbs.

Basically buy the best you can afford, go out, enjoy yourself and if you feel the need to upgrade in the future you can look to save towards it

charlie_potatoes

snoopsmydogg wrote:

Basically buy the best you can afford, go out, enjoy yourself and if you feel the need to upgrade in the future you can look to save towards it

+1