First Race Bike on Ebay any good?

[weston1980]

Looked on here for a while and have decided to go the ebay route for first bike.

Is this any good and how much is it worth?

carrera crossfire 2000 road racer great condition some scratch marks from storage very good tyres,alexrims, light wieght 7005 aluminium everything is quick release, front suspension frame 20" all shimano
Item number: 320363048318

It will be my frirst road bike that I will only be using on raod for 5 mike commute.

 

[Will1985]

"Road racer" + front suspension = not a road bike.

 

[4F]

That is a hybrid with a set of drop handlebars added. A quick google determines that in 2003 they were £ 399 new and to be honest I would not pay any more than £ 25 - 30 for that heap and even then I would think twice before paying that much.

It has front suspension which if you are riding it on the road is totally unnecessary and will just add extra weight.

 

[weston1980]

Thanks for the advise.

Will defo give anything with suspension a miss!

Looking to spend no more than £200 as I will only be using about once a week!

Is decathlon a better option?

Any other advise?

 

[4F]

Thanks for the advise.

Will defo give anything with suspension a miss!

Looking to spend no more than £200 as I will only be using about once a week!

Is decathlon a better option?

Any other advise?

I would look second hand and go for one of the recognised names. That's what I did and my 2 cost £ 40 and £ 200

Do you know what size frame you are looking for ?

 

[weston1980]

I'm just a tad under 6'0"
Should I be looking at a 22" Frame?

 

[4F]

Road bike frames are in cms so at 22 inch gives you 55.88 cms A couple of suggestions in the 56 size are as follows however it would be worth trying for size before purchase


Http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Ridgeback-road-bicycle_W0QQitemZ280338251710QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Bikes_GL?hash=item280338251710&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1688%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Trek-1000-SL-...3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66:2|65:2|39:1|240:1318

 

[threebikesmcginty]

Worth keeping an eye on the 'For Sale' section of this forum - 56cm bikes do come up - nice one's too. Got to be quick to get a good one though!

 

[alecstilleyedye]

try this one

 

[weston1980]

Thanks alecstilleyedye and FatFellaFromFelixstowe all look good!

alecstilleyedye option ends today!

How much would you say this one is worth?

 

[alecstilleyedye]

did you buy it weston1980? went for slightly more than it's value imho. a good rule of thumb is half the original price minus £10 for each year since purchase. it wasn't a £400 bike from new i'm sure…

edit: on sale new for £329 currently.

 

[weston1980]

No didn't go for it in the end as didn't see it as good value when it went passed £180.

If you spot any more like that let me know as it takes me a while to check out all the bikes as the brands mean very little to me at the moment!

Avoiding the Barracuda bikes at the moment but apart from that having to cross check the price with a google search!

 

[Goffins]

I saw a custom road bike with Carbon forks, carbon rear stays, 105 gear set and evreything else of a decent spec go for £300 the other day as it was a no brand Italian frame.

If you keep your eyes peeled you can get some stupendous bargains.

 

[swee'pea99]

One thing to think about: how much time will it spend chained to railings, and where? If the answer is none or very little, you don't have to worry much about security. If on the other hand the commute you refer to includes leaving it out all day every day in the same place, security is very much an issue, and unless you want to spend a lot of time and energy on a big heavy lock, it's worth thinking about positively looking for something that won't attract the attention of scrotes. Which means old-looking, scrappy-looking, with drops. Fortunately these are exactly the kind of criteria that give you plenty of choice with ebay 'stupendous bargains'.

If I were you, I'd make sure I know what frame size I need (google if you don't know how to do this) then keep an eye out for scrappy-looking 20-30 year old bikes made with good tubing - Reynolds 531, eg. Chances are you'll also get good componentry on a frame like that, which also makes a big difference to your ride. (You can email & ask.)

I just got a tatty looking 653 Dawes with a paint job like a five year old's hurl after a Pizza Hut birthday party, but otherwise astounding, with complete Shimano 600 (ie, one below Dura Ace) groupset, for £53. They can be found. Just takes patience and (google) homework.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

Nice graphic description!!!