New to road bikes

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
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
0
Posts
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
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.
Any other suggestions on second hand bike would be great.
Thanks
Chris
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.
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.