Hi Guys / Need some advice please

[chris87]

Hi guys,

Just new to the forum, need some advice on what bikes what be suitable and any advice/ info would be much appreciated..

Basically I want to get a road bike and an indoor cycle trainer to get my fitness up now its coming into the winter.

I was looking at exercise bikes although I thought it would be better to get an actual bike with the indoor trainer that way when I feel ready and the better nights roll in next year I can take the bike out.

I have a budet of around £200 to spend on the bike alone and have been looking at second hand bikes as well as the new budget road bikes.

So far I have seen the muddyfox pace road bike new at £180 and also the carrera TDF road bike (few second hands around the £150-£200 mark on gumtree on my local area).

The indoor trainer i have seen is the black dog bikes - magentic turbo trainer for around £60.

Just looking for some advice and info on the above that they will do the trick as im on a budget but seriously looking to get motivated

Thanks

Chris.

.

 

[Mo1959]

Sorry to be blunt, but any new road bike at £200 will be pretty poor quality.......and steer well clear of Muddyfox. It will be heavy with components that will wear out very quickly and cost you more in the long run.

I would say second hand would definitely be your best bet. The Carrera would be quite a bit better than a Muddyfox.

 

[chris87]

Hi Mo,

Thanks for the reply, yeah I seen that on the forum to watch out for cheap bikes new in this type as it would cost more in the long run.

Only problem I find is that any bikes I have seen second hand are hard to compare online for the prices as well as quality of the bike as they are a bit older and usually discontinued, just want to make sure that I am getting a decent bike and deal really.

I like the look of the Carerra and had seen a few of them for sale in my area although I was a bit wary of this and halfords stock this bike as well which alot of people seem to steer clear of (no personal attack on halfords btw).

Do you know any road bikes that that are usually well priced but good quality? There are so many out there and look the part that its hard to tell being a beginner. I have seen alot of vikings, barracudas, vintage peugeot etc.

 

[vickster]

Find some possible options and post links on here for opinions

You probably won't go wrong with a good nick Specialized, Trek, Giant, Boardman, Cannondale

The Btwin tribans from Decathlon are very good vfm

Just make sure it fits. If concerned about Halfords, you can always buy from them and get it checked over by their mechanics or a local indy bike shop if concerned

 

[Mo1959]

Hi Mo,

Thanks for the reply, yeah I seen that on the forum to watch out for cheap bikes new in this type as it would cost more in the long run.

Only problem I find is that any bikes I have seen second hand are hard to compare online for the prices as well as quality of the bike as they are a bit older and usually discontinued, just want to make sure that I am getting a decent bike and deal really.

I like the look of the Carerra and had seen a few of them for sale in my area although I was a bit wary of this and halfords stock this bike as well which alot of people seem to steer clear of (no personal attack on halfords btw).

Do you know any road bikes that that are usually well priced but good quality? There are so many out there and look the part that its hard to tell being a beginner. I have seen alot of vikings, barracudas, vintage peugeot etc.

@Nigelnaturist is your man to tell you about his experience with Viking. His bike has done him proud.
Halfords Carrera range are considered reasonably good. It is more the setting up of new bikes that seems to give them a bad name sometimes. It is a bit hit or miss depending on whether the store you deal with has knowledgeable bike mechanics or not. Nothing to stop you taking it into another bike shop for a check over though.

If you find something on eBay or gumtree that you are not sure about, I am sure if you ask again on here there will be plenty of advice to keep you right.

 

[chris87]

Thanks for the help guys much appreciated.

I'll keep my eye open on websites like gumtree over the next week or two and post them on see what you guys think. Seen a few of carreras bikes that look pretty decent, some are just out my budget although I may stretch it a little to get a decent one.

I'll also have a look at some of the viking range as there a few not far from me second that seem ok.

 

[chris87]

Hi guys seen a nice looking peugeot bike, bit older but looks not bad.

http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/peugeot-road-bike/1028116887#photo-content

any thoughts?

 

[philinmerthyr]

Your best bet may be a place like this

http://www.cycletrainingwales.org.uk/cardiffcycleworkshop/

I did a maintenance course with them. They recycle bikes and use the money to keep the workshop going. The mechanics are very good so the bikes they sell are of a decent standard. They may not look as good as some but mechanically they will be sound.

 

[chris87]

Cheers for the advice mate.

Looks ideal although I am up in Scotland so bit of a journey to get down to the sale workshops.

Found the carrera's i was looking at, could matbe get the price down a bit.

http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/carrera-tdf-road-bike/1029144513

As you say if it was a bit closer getting a bike that doesnt have to be great looking but as long as its set up soundly. Thats the only problem buying from gumtree.

 

[chris87]

Are Fausto coppi torino bikes any good.

Edit

Found out they are and the guy selling on gumtree has sold it in under an hour - price 175 as well which was good.