Road bikes in the £2-300 category

englander

Hello,

I'm looking to get a road bike in the near future for commuting (6 miles each way) and long weekend rides (~50 miles, up to 100 miles top whack). I've been riding for years, and my most recent bike was a Carrera hybrid last summer, which unfortunately got stolen when I started uni in September. I was getting very keen over the summer, completing my first 100 miler and exploring the Surrey hills etc, and now the weather looks like it might actually be getting warmer/drier I want to get back into my cycling. This would be my first road bike so it is all a little new to me.

My problem is that my budget is very small, I'm looking at £2-300, also bearing in mind that I'll no doubt immediately replace the tyres with something puncture resistant for my precarious London commute. There doesn't seem to be anything in Halfords or Evans that goes down to my budget, so I've been looking at places like Sports Direct and Amazon and they've got bikes in those price ranges, but I know not how good or otherwise they may be.

In terms of new bikes, it seems I'm looking at things like:

Viking Peloton
Barracuda Vivante

If I were to look at used bikes, what sort of brands/models would be in my price range? I'm keen on getting osmething that is at least still in moderately good condition - I don't want to be spending more than I would on a new bike trying to maintain an old bike that's falling to pieces. Also where are reliable places to get 2nd hand bikes?

Any advice and pointers for this end of the market would be greatly appreciated. Just to emphasise, I am a student so whilst it would be nice to extend the budget, I've really got to be strict if I don't want to be evicted from my flat.

Thanks in advance.

supermurph09

The Triban 3 from Decathlon is widely regarded as a good bike at that level. (£299).

robertsims

Triban 3 all day long. I love mine

englander

There's a massive Decathlon a couple of Tube stops away from my uni so I'll go and have a snoop around this afternoon. It's the very upper end of my budget though, are there any other bikes worth throwing into the mix for consideration? There are a couple of Triban 3s on ebay ending in a couple of days so I'll add them to my "watch" list.

supermurph09

From what others have said, the problem you will have below that price is components that don't last giving you a false economy. The other option of course would be 2nd hand, but I guess you'd need to know what you are looking at.

rolf_f

I doubt you'll find anyone here who wouldn't recommend the Triban over the Viking even if the latter were half the price. Besides, whilst at the upper end of your budget, the Triban is still in budget!

As for tyres, the good ones (light, fast but still puncture resistant, folding etc) like Schwalbe Durano cost about £20 each online. However, my winter commuter has used Schwalbe Delta Cruisers for half the price and they have been fine. They probably wear out sooner than others but not in half the time and they are good (but not bomproof) at fending off punctures. It's worth remembering that punctures are irritating but hardly the end of the world. Avoiding them is as much about tyre maintenance and road positioning as the actual tyre itself.

deswahriff

..as an indication of the second hand option, I've just sold my 2 and a half year old Orba Aqua for £330 - this had the benefit of better wheels+tyres (Shimano R500 and Krylions) and tiagra shifters over the original spec and would be an ideal starter bike - my buyer was delighted and for him to buy the same spec bike new would be maybe £800?
There must be plenty more similiar second-hand bikes (popular brands are Trek, Specialized, Giant who all do "entry" level models, usually equipped with Shimano Sora or Tiagra main components) on that well known auction site, and you'll get loads more for your money than buying new within your budget....you will need to do lots of research, ask the seller loads of questions (regular maintenance, eg) and try before you buy if you can find a local seller and basically keep your wits about you to avoid being ripped off or buying a knock-off.....life lesson in general, really!

gabriel959

The Triban is recommended by cyclists, you won't hear many people recommending the others I reckon. It has got a good spec and a decent frame. If I was buying a basic bike I would be getting that.

kingofthetailwind

+1 for the Triban.

Bought mine in October and no punctures yet. Having said that I've Gatorskins on order. :-)

But if your total max budget is £300 bear in mind all the other stuff you'll need/want as well as the bike. Upgrades/tools/kit etc. I've spent £300-£350 so far, and that's almost entirely mid range stuff from Decathlon.

There are lots of nearly new/Christmas present Tribans on eBay/Gumtree, so second hand is an option.

smidsy

Stupot101 wrote:

There are lots of nearly new/Christmas present Tribans on eBay/Gumtree, so second hand is an option.

Yes but I think the owners would like them back. :shock:

Be careful buying off Gumtree and ebay. Apply the same principles as if you were buying a used car (proof of ownership, history, receipts etc.).

kingofthetailwind

smidsy wrote:

Stupot101 wrote:

There are lots of nearly new/Christmas present Tribans on eBay/Gumtree, so second hand is an option.

Yes but I think the owners would like them back. :shock:

Be careful buying off Gumtree and ebay. Apply the same principles as if you were buying a used car (proof of ownership, history, receipts etc.).

Ha ha, I was thinking of people with broken New Year Resolutions! But yes, I agree care is required buying off eBay.

englander

I'm getting a subtle hint that Triban 3s are very highly recommended. I have my eyes peeled for a second hand one, otherwise I will just buy new. In terms of sizing, I'm 183cm (6' 0") - would the 60cm frame be best for me?

K0Power

Just posting to agree with everyone else really, but as a first road bike I can't recommend the bikes from Decathalon enough

DougL

Agreed. I went in to Decathlon to spend £300 on a Triban and came out with an new, old stock Facet reduced to £800. Carbon frame, full Rival groupset, Mavic Aksium wheels and a Prologo saddle. Amazing value and weighs less than 8kg.

lawrences

You could buy second hand. If you're not especially tall or especially short you can generally get more bang for your buck by buying second hand.

englander

Ok, so there has been a development! I've just put in a potentially winning bid of £260 for a Spec Allez which looks in decent enough nick. Advice: is that wise?

lawrences

Yes. Even a lowest spec Allez is far superior to both of the bikes you posted links to, that is assuming it's in good condition, which it should be as specialized aren't known for making dodgy bikes.

smidsy

No, you should have used auction sniper to put it in at the last second, thus vastly reducing the chance of anyone outbidding you.

As for the bike at that price - fine, if you get it.

englander

Well, things escalated rather quicker than perhaps I intended. I won the Spec Allez auction for £262.89 (the bidder before me put in the stupid 2xx.89 bid) and am absolutely loving it. The auction ended last night and I picked it up early this morning. I've been out and about all day, including ~18 miles of cycling and finally have a chance now to sit down and adjust it properly. As it turns out, the gear cable was a bit dodgy and the ebay guy only noticed this when he rode it to the meeting place, so they've offered me £30 to get it replaced/for my inconvenience.

In summary: nicely fitting Spec Allez for £233. Immeasurably better than my old hybrid - and that's only with one working chain wheel (for the moment)!

smidsy

Pictures required then surely...and I will gloss over the dodgy meeting in a car park etc. for now

englander

smidsy wrote:

Pictures required then surely...and I will gloss over the dodgy meeting in a car park etc. for now

I fully intended to get a good picture in the sunshine this afternoon, but I got too carried away with plasma cutting and tinkering with gears (those things weren't done both at the same time!) So please find attached a picture I took yesterday just when I got it home. To be honest it doesn't look too different today; the pannier is in the process of getting removed but those screws sure are in tight... I've done a good 25 or so miles on it today and I'm really really enjoying it. It's such a pleasure racing along!



Edit: apologies for pedals not being at 12/6 o'clock and valves being in the wrong position... but the rear inner tube valve has no dust cap !

RDB66

I'd say you got a cracking bike for the money...Enjoy.