Old codger seeks sports bike buying advice

brianjeff

I'm 68 and just returning to cycling 50 years after I did club level time trialling.
I've been using daughter's cheapo Mr Tesco sports bike - did a 60m sportive on it yesterday in 4h 15m - but now I fancy something a bit better.
It would be for general but reasonably speedy riding and some sportives. Got to be tolerably comfy - the old back is stiffer these days for getting down onto drops.
I'd probably buy used on Fleabay for £3-400.
I guess I need some advice on what to look for on specs, frame geometry etc. Ta for any guidance.

trek_dan

If you've got a Decathlon anywhere near you the Btwin Triban range are excellent for the money. When you look at the spec and how much older entry level bikes go for second hand it isn't worth buying used.

DeVlaeminck

You probably want a sportive/endurance geometry which typically will have a longish head tube though some of the height at the front may be made up from having clearance for fatter tyres. For your money and buying second had I'm trying to think of bikes that have sold well so likely to come up on ebay with some frequency - Specialized Roubaix, Cannondale Synapse spring to mind. I'd avoid disc brakes at this price point.

If buying second hand make sure the drivetrain has light use - for a less than top end bike if you have to spring for new chain, cassette and chainrings almost straight away you have pretty much lost most of the money you saved by buying used.

DeVlaeminck

I know this is sold but something like this - assuming the listing is accurate - would be ideal and within budget.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Specialized-R ... Swxp9W-qSR

fatdaz

Some of the more popular "endurance" bikes are the Specialized Roubaix, Trek Domaine, Cannondale Synapse, Giant Defy, Scott Solace, Canyon Endurance, Merida Ride, C Grandfondo and Bianchi Infinito.

Some of these may cost a little more than others but if you search eBay for these you should get a few options.

Fully second the warning to make sure drivetrain components are in decent nick as the cost of replacements can really mount up

fatdaz

Should read "BMC Grandfondo"

daniel_b

I now have an alloy synapse with carbon forks, and it is SO comfy, yet fast, it is ridiculous.

I still have not gotten around to taping the bars, I kid you not.

Pauls Cycles have a couple in limited sizes for £399, and two for £599, might well be worth a look?

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b0s6p5232/CANNONDALE-SYNAPSE-ALLOY-2300-2013
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b0s6p5459/CANNONDALE-SYNAPSE-ALLOY-SORA-2014
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b0s6p5261/CANNONDALE-SYNAPSE-ALLOY-TIAGRA-TRIPLE-2013
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b0s6p5460/CANNONDALE-SYNAPSE-ALLOY-TIAGRA-TRIPLE-2014

arlowood

Daniel B wrote:

Pauls Cycles have a couple in limited sizes for £399, and two for £599, might well be worth a look?

http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b0s6p5232/CANNONDALE-SYNAPSE-ALLOY-2300-2013
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b0s6p5459/CANNONDALE-SYNAPSE-ALLOY-SORA-2014
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b0s6p5261/CANNONDALE-SYNAPSE-ALLOY-TIAGRA-TRIPLE-2013
http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/m7b0s6p5460/CANNONDALE-SYNAPSE-ALLOY-TIAGRA-TRIPLE-2014

These offerings from Pauls Cycles are hard to beat if they have one in your size. If not however you could do worse than one of the Decathlon range. The Triban 500 is available in all sizes for under your budget

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-500-r ... nformation

This has 8 speed Microshift gears with a triple chainset

For slightly above your budget there is the Triban 520 with 27 speed Sora gears - although these appear to be out of stock at the moment

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-520-r ... 22663.html

secretsam

Look on the classifieds section on here - there's usually someone selling something nice!

bsharp77

Don't know what size you are but theres a 54cm Roubaix or a 56cm 6 series Domane in the classifieds now - either of these would be a fantastic choice (I'm biased towards the Domane!)

edit: just remembered your budget....you could always haggle! 8)