First road bike

Stefan_320

First time posting here! I am preparing to buy my first road bike and to eventually join my village cycling club. However, I have questions about the exciting, scary and expensive purchase!

I'm thinking of starting with purchasing a second hand winter bike to start off with. I have a Ribble 7005 winter that's being sold second hand for £350 (I'm 6'4" and the frame is a 62 so seems like a great potential first purchase) and wondered what people's thoughts were on this as a first road bike? My only worry is the lack of tyre clearance as it only fits 23s well and not easy to get away with 25s from my understanding.

What are peoples thoughts on the above and riding a winter bike with 23s?

Thank you so much!

oxoman

Good solid starter bike, yes tyre clearance is tight if leaving mudguards on. Should be ok with 25s with certain tyre combinations or without guards. Loads of people use them for audax doing 100km plus with no issues so i wouldn't worry about it. As a new rider it can be daunting doing the research and finding what is and isn't good. Ribble do decent bikes end of, otherwise they wouldn't be still in business. 23 mm tyres have been around for years and its only people getting soft that have driven people to have bigger tyres. I wont comment on price as all bikes fetching a premium at the moment and this one may have been modified for the better. Once you get into it your club riders will be able to give you some advise, just beware the all the gear no idea riders though. You'll soon get to know them. Steer clear of sports direct muddyfox stuff, go for DHB, Decathlon, Funkier, Altura, Endura are all reasonable brands.

elbowloh

Are you sure it only takes 23mm tyres? It's a winter trainer, which kind of implies it could take bigger tyres.

oxoman

It can take bigger but without mudguards. The frame has been around for a long time and as such harks back to when 25mm tyres were big.

johnmiosh

I have an old (2008) Bianchi that I use as a winter bike. I have used p-clips to attach full mudguards, PDW. This means that 23mm tyres are the biggest I can fit, but it has not caused me any problems with grip in the winter.

I you get the bike ride it through next summer until you have the experience to know exactly what you want in a summer bike.

navrig2

The 7005 was my first road bike and represents good value for that. Ride is fine, not as heavy as some other budget bikes so I'd consider it. I ran 23mm tyres over several Scottish winters. Only lost grip once and that was my fault not the bike's.

It's now my turbo bike and/or garage clothes hanger!