Cheap Road Bike Advice.

[DDYB]

Folks,

Having started cycling recently one of my friends has decided he wants to cycle too. as he's unsure whether or not he'll stick at it he has set himself a budget of £200.

I am currently looking out a good 2nd had bike for him but in the meantime he has spotted two bikes within his price range.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Vittesse-Sprint-21-speed-Alloy-Cycle/dp/B0013NCQXC

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Olympus-Road-21-speed-Alloy-Cycle/dp/B001OI2VHM

Does anyone have any knowledge/opinion of either of these? As I say a good 2nd hand bike would be the preference with a £200 budget but if he can't find something he may opt for one of these two.

He is very new to all this (as am I) so any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[RedBike]

Those two bikes look like a good way to put him off cycling
Stick with the second-hand option and leave those two 'things' well alone.

The problem with second hand bikes is that unless you can service / replace some of the worn parts yourself then they could well end up costing you a fortune.

 

[swee'pea99]

I stick by what I said on a similar thread:

Ebay + homework (google) + patience.

You can get a seriously great bike for £200 on ebay - or, there's no getting round it I fear - a lumpen heap of crap new.

Make sure you know what frame size you need, find out how to use all the 'advanced search' options in ebay, identify likely options and use google to research them, email queries to the seller, both to get answers and to gauge who you're dealing with (check feedback rating obviously). Look for bad listings - bad pics in particular. Use your brain.

Seriously, a £200 new bike is likely to kill any enthusiasm. A little effort will get you a £200 bike that will go like the wind and put a big big smile on your face. And if you decide after 6 months it's not quite right, you can put a good listing on ebay and get back what you paid - or more - and have another go. (By which time you'll have a better, more precise idea what you are looking for.)

Good luck!

 

[DDYB]

[quote name='swee'pea99']I stick by what I said on a similar thread:

Ebay + homework (google) + patience.

You can get a seriously great bike for £200 on ebay - or, there's no getting round it I fear - a lumpen heap of crap new.

Make sure you know what frame size you need, find out how to use all the 'advanced search' options in ebay, identify likely options and use google to research them, email queries to the seller, both to get answers and to gauge who you're dealing with (check feedback rating obviously). Look for bad listings - bad pics in particular. Use your brain.

Seriously, a £200 new bike is likely to kill any enthusiasm. A little effort will get you a £200 bike that will go like the wind and put a big big smile on your face. And if you decide after 6 months it's not quite right, you can put a good listing on ebay and get back what you paid - or more - and have another go. (By which time you'll have a better, more precise idea what you are looking for.)

Good luck![/quote]


Very good advice, thanks.

 

[giantscr2.0]

Ebay is a good place to look, you could also look in the classified ads in local news papers, or you could try local cycling club websites as they sometimes have a for sale section, although the price will more than likely be more than your friends budget.. but worth a try.. you may get lucky!
But definetly tell your friend to avoid those B.S.O's!!
Good luck

 

[Goffins]

Tough one. While I totally agree with the comments regarding the new bikes listed above I still think you're pushing it with a budget of £200.

You'll need to go left field and find a make/model that's not mainstream and attracts less attention.

If he could up the budget to £300 then I think you could get a really nice second hand bike.

If you go the EBAY route which I did myself then unless you're willing to travel you'll be further restricted by the fact most people don't or wont courier {although it's worth asking even if it says "pick up only"}.

Good luck.

 

[DDYB]

Had a look on ebay last night and saw a reasonably priced Dawes Giro.
A quick google search to find reviews for said bike lead me to the Giro 200 (entry level) and it's available for about £230 new.

http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/14403/Dawes_Giro_200_Bike_2009

Would this also fall into the 'dont touch' category? There seem to be some decent reviews of the Giro series but as this is the entry level I wasn't sure how good it was.

Anyone had any experience of these?
I'm still checking out ebay but would be good to have a Plan B if I can't find anything suitable.

Thanks again.

 

[peanut]

the sad fact is that these cheap bikes are the worse sort of introduction to cycling you can have. I am incredulous that 7 speed transmission is still available on new bikes in the 21st century.
7 speed transmission has been obsolete for over 20 years.

The frame is cheap and heavy and the forks are even more so. All the components are obsolete and you would find it impoossible to sell second hand at any price. If the bike was left out in the rain it would rust away in no time because of the amount of steel component parts and fixings used instead of alloy.

Steer clear of these cheap entry level bikes would be my advice. Your friend will not be very happy 6 months down the line if he decides he enjoys cycling
Buy a second hand bike with at least Shimano Tiagra or Campag Veloce level components and minimum 8 speed transmission preferably 9 or 10 speed.

 

[RedBike]

Would this also fall into the 'dont touch' category? There seem to be some decent reviews of the Giro series but as this is the entry level I wasn't sure how good it was.

I'm not overly sure about it. I wouldn't mind some of the bikes higher up in the Grio series but I wouldn't buy this model. It uses a bit too much 'old' technology for my liking.

I would keep looking at the second-hand market. I'm selling my bike at the moment. I'm looking at getting about £200 for what was an £800 bike. There are bargins out there if you know what to look for!

 

[Ivan Ardon]

DDYB - tell your mate to buy Redbike's Ribble in the classifieds. For £200 it's a steal.

 

[peanut]

DDYB - tell your mate to buy Redbike's Ribble in the classifieds. For £200 it's a steal.

not if its the wrong size for him it isn't !

Have we a link to said steed ? would be helpful

 

[Ivan Ardon]

I'd make it fit for the price

http://www.cyclechat.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=30669

 

[peanut]

I'd make it fit for the price

http://www.cyclechat.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=30669

really excellent value bike at a real bargain at that price. You couldn't go wrong with that. Its a steal . The tyres alone cost over £40.00
A couple of serious road racers I know have that Ribble as their winter trainer.

If I had some spare cash I'd make it fit me too . dayum

£200 quid ! bluddy ell redbike you are giving that away

 

[DJ]

Had a look on ebay last night and saw a reasonably priced Dawes Giro.
A quick google search to find reviews for said bike lead me to the Giro 200 (entry level) and it's available for about £230 new.

http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/14403/Dawes_Giro_200_Bike_2009

Would this also fall into the 'dont touch' category? There seem to be some decent reviews of the Giro series but as this is the entry level I wasn't sure how good it was.

Anyone had any experience of these?




Note; Down tube shifters


Yes, 6 months a go I bought that exact bike! Needless to say I have now upgraded the pedals/ saddle from my old bike didn't cost too much however, then wanted a bit more of a proper bike so spent another hundred quid on handlebar shifters a new set of Sora with cables and everything cost £108.00 so what was £230 worht of bike has now cost me £338.00 and as others have pointed out they are still selling the old technology, nothing new in it at all.

I am now fairly happy with it but will be upgrading if I get a chance from the cycle to work scheme.

So my advise, don't, unless it's one of the higher end Giro's.

I know someone with the 400 and that is a lot better, carbon forks etc.

 

[RedBike]

Sorry guys, I think it's just been sold.

The bike was on ebay last week but never made it's reserve of £200 so it can't be that much of a steal.