New to road bikes

chr15_8
chr15_8 Posts: 14
edited February 2014 in Road buying advice
Hi

I've always owned a mountain over the last 15 or so years and am now looking for a road bike. I completely rebuilt my last mountain bike so know the basic's.

My budget for the road bike is on the low side between £200-300 (don't want to go too mad in case I get bored of it).

If anyone could recommend a bike for that budget it would be great. Don't mind going 2nd hand if I get a little more for my money.

Thanks
Chris

Comments

  • Keith1983
    Keith1983 Posts: 575
    I'd suggest going second hand and have a look at either a Carrera Virtuoso or a Decathlon Triban
  • bobones
    bobones Posts: 1,215
    Second hand or one of these http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-3-uk-id_8274036.html If you can't get a red Triban 3 in your size then the white Triban 3 is also in your budget http://www.decathlon.co.uk/btwin-triban ... 39800.html The red is the superior bike, mainly due to having a carbon fork.
  • chr15_8
    chr15_8 Posts: 14
    Thanks for the reply's. I've decided now I will go second hand now.

    Any other suggestions? Anything I need to look for on a second hand road bike? I like the specialized allez, would this be a good choice?

    Thanks
    Chris
  • dilatory
    dilatory Posts: 565
    I was in the exact same position, picked up a second hand Carrera Virtuoso Ltd for £125 and it looked mint. It's heavy and shit, has a standard double which has been a hard conversion; but it's completely given me the road bike bug and now I'm looking to buy a better one ready for when the weather picks up.

    You can pick up the fabled Triban 3 brand new for £350, auctions on eBay for them seem to go a bit crazy and the price sits around not much less than new, but that's people with bid fever I guess.
  • Halfords Carrera for £260. It's bargain basement and probably not very good but it's super cheap! Considering one for a lunchtime rider.
  • Thanks

    Any other suggestions on second hand bike would be great.

    Thanks
    Chris
  • bobones
    bobones Posts: 1,215
    chr15_8 wrote:
    Thanks

    Any other suggestions on second hand bike would be great.

    Thanks
    Chris
    Second hand can be a minefield if you don't know a lot about road bikes. With new you'll know all the components are in good shape and you'll have a warranty.

    What height or bike size are you? The legendary Red Triban 3 in 54 is now reduced to £250 http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-3-uk-id_8274036.html You'd probably pay £400-500 for something as well spec'd from other manufacturers. Jump on it if it's your size.

    With second hand ideally look for something with a carbon fork and one of the better group sets from Shimano, SRAM or Campagnolo. With Shimano the basic ones are Tourney (7 speed), 2300, Claris (8speed), Sora (9 speed). Midrange are Tiagra (9 or 10 speed) and 105 (9 or 10 speed). Ultegra and Dura Ace are top of the range and went 11 speed in the last update. Claris and Tourney are just out though so unlikely you'll find them on a 2nd hand bike. New Sora has long paddle instead of thumb lever of earlier versions (same as 2300 and Tourney). The paddle is preferred to the thumb buttons, but it's not a deal breaker IMO. SRAM pecking order goes Apex, Rival, Force, Red. Campag goes Veloce, Centaur, Athena, Chorus, Record, Super Record. Some good info here http://road.cc/content/buyers-guide/630 ... -road-bike.
  • arlowood
    arlowood Posts: 2,561
    Have a trawl of the classifieds on this site if you're looking to go 2nd hand. Plenty of decent bikes on offer but not that many in your price range. Here's an example:-

    viewtopic.php?f=40090&t=12952890

    Not sure if that size would suit but something else may be lurking there if you scan back through the listings.