Beginner cyclist looking for affordable bikes.

[Andy89]

Hi. I've just newly started out to trying road bikes. I'll be needing it mostly to commute to work and maybe a little bit of goin around during weekends. I am only 167cm tall but i'm not very sure as to what size i should be getting. The guys from the bike shop advise me to get a bike with a frame size of 50cm or less.

So i've spotted this bike on Ebay. Pls advise if its a good bike and is it worth it?

Barracuda

 

[vickster]

Any road bike under £200 is going to be heavy and with poor components, it's got frame mounted gear shifters and only 14 gears - STI shifters better

If you can get to Decathlon and find more money, this will be far superior and very good value for money (although a 54cm which is their smallest will probably be too big)

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/triban-3-173178017/


The entry level road bikes from Halfords get good feedback for the money too

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/...oductId=272635&msg=&langId=-1&catalogId=10151

If I had under £200 to spend I'd be looking at flat bar hybrids and not a road bike or at second hand

You really need to try and have a test ride, or at the very least sit on it to make sure it fits you ok

 

[Andy89]

How many gears and how much is the weight of the bike to be consider appropriate or well worth it for the money?

 

[Andy89]

How about this 1?
Raleigh

 

[vickster]

looks about the same

This looks a good deal, has STI shifters, not a lot of detail but is right size for you it seems and a solid brand

http://www.ebay.co.u...=item4aadcde265

Depends if you can get to Essex or sort a courie. Need to be quick quick

 

[vickster]

A chap called Angelfishsolo got one of these and seems happy http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2011-VIKI...96664?pt=UK_Bikes_GL&var=&hash=item97582cd9ac

He is always online so may be worth a PM

 

[007fair]

When I was in position looking for my first road bike I went second hand

Do your research and find out what bike you want and size etc then keep an eye out on Gum tree / E Bay

Takes a while but you will get what you want eventually

 

[Andy89]

I shud be getting a frame size around 47 or 48 cm.

I've look through ebay and isort of manage to get 2 choices.

its either Raleigh or Barracuda .....

any good suggestions?

 

[vickster]

Is £180 definitely your top budget?

I have never heard of Barracuda and the Raleigh looks nice, so I'd go for that. Don't forget to budget another £100 for helmet (if you want one), mitts, lights, a good lock, some sort of hi viz jacket and some padded shorts

 

[cyberknight]

I cannot really add much to what Vicster has said , i have a virtuoso and at that price they are a bargain ! although i would go for the decathlon as it has a carbon fork.
If your budget is limited to under £200 i would really consider going second hand .

 

[Moss]

Hi. I've just newly started out to trying road bikes. I'll be needing it mostly to commute to work and maybe a little bit of goin around during weekends. I am only 167cm tall but i'm not very sure as to what size i should be getting. The guys from the bike shop advise me to get a bike with a frame size of 50cm or less.

So i've spotted this bike on Ebay. Pls advise if its a good bike and is it worth it?

Barracuda

Andy,

A Decathlon B Twin for sale 54cm, 9, months old and basically had very little use! The bike belongs to my Daughters boyfriend. £170. they live in Richmond London! Bike is in beautiful condition (AS NEW) the person riding it at present is 5ft.6in, in height , 165cm - It's going on eBay tomorrow.

If your interested I can give you Mattews Email Address, or mobile number!

M

 

[Simba]

How many gears and how much is the weight of the bike to be consider appropriate or well worth it for the money?

18 gears or above is what you need to aim at and 11kg max weight otherwise you may as well buy a hybrid.

 

[LosingFocus]

18 gears or above is what you need to aim at and 11kg max weight otherwise you may as well buy a hybrid.

Meh, my Virt is 16 and I love it.

 

[mcshroom]

Now't wrong with 16 gears, many only use 1

 

[Glover Fan]

Now't wrong with 16 gears, many only use 1

+ 1 I have 20 and I don't use them all.