New or used; first road bike

[denno_uk]

I'm looking to buy my first road bike but i'm not sure whether buying a used bike for my first is a great idea.
I'm not particularly fussed if it has a few scratches here and there just as long as it rides nice.
I have a budget of around £500 but i'd ideally like to spend less and get a bike that £500 originally.
Is it a good idea getting a used bike for my first or shall i opt for a new one? and why?

Cheers, any advice will be much appreciated.

 

[SimonRoberts0204]

I would go for a used bike, - you just get more bike for your money that way.

I just bought a Specialized Allez elite (2007) , the equivalent new bike in that range costs 1100 quid, and I got it for 450. Is in excellent condition and rides beautifully.

I think if you buy a better bike second hand, youre more likely to enjoy cycling more and get hooked on it. Then in a few seasons if you decide you fancy owning a brand new machine, you can go for it.

Whether new OR second hand, make sure it fits you - and at that price, you wont get a bad bike...

 

[denno_uk]

One of the things i was worried about getting a second hand one would be not getting the chance to test ride it. I've been looking on ebay and there is some bikes in my price range but theyre a bit far away to view first.
There doesnt seem to be a great deal of adverts in the local ad mag.

 

[SimonRoberts0204]

You could always find out what model and size they are, and then go try one at your LBS. Might feel a bit mean taking their time to have a go and not buying from them, but like you say, theres no other way of testing them first!

When I bought mine, I was lucky enough to go into one of Specialized 'concept stores' and have them tell me what size I would need, so when I got it second hand, I already knew it would fit.

 

[peanut]

what sized frame do you need Denno ? and whereabouts in the country are you?

I have a bike I have just built and not used for sale. It has mainly top of the range Dura Ace 10 speed RS10 brand new wheelset ,Compact chainset , 12-25 or 12-27 cassette and has a gorgeous aluminium racing frameset which i bought off a top Elite UK racer and National hill climbing champion
I'd sell for £500 although it cost me £900 to build because I can't see myself using it this summer because of the crap weather.

 

[SimonRoberts0204]

 

[peanut]

?

 

[accountantpete]

2nd hand Denno. Personally I'd get the cheapest thing on the market that actually runs ok and then start reading up on the equipment -that way if you really get into cycling you haven't blown your dosh on a pile of crap and can start buying intelligently.

 

[denno_uk]

i think i'll need a 56cm. When i was in a LBS trying a few bikes(just sitting on them in store) on a giant defy 3, it was what they guy thought i would need. I'm only 5'8'' but i have quite long legs for my height.

Unfortunately, im all the way up in the north east, Middlesbrough. However, that does sound like a good deal if it cost £900 to build, but it is at the limit of my budget

 

[simon_brooke]

Remember that not all geometries are the same, these days. Thirty years ago a 24" frame from one manufacturer was pretty much the same size as any other, because all top tubes were horizontal. Now they're not, The measurement that remains constant is the distance along the seat-tube/seatpost to where a horizontal top tube would join if there were a horizontal top tube, but for frames with sloping top tubes (common, nowadays) it may not be easy to work out what this distance is without a geometry diagram.

Nevertheless, on the whole you'll generally get a better deal second hand.

 

[denno_uk]

i think second hand is going to be what i go for....

any recommendations of where to look other than the classifieds on this site and also ebay.

 

[chris667]

Your local cycling club is the best place to start, IMO. Someone's bound to have something.


Wherabouts are you?

 

[accountantpete]

i think i'll need a 56cm. When i was in a LBS trying a few bikes(just sitting on them in store) on a giant defy 3, it was what they guy thought i would need. I'm only 5'8'' but i have quite long legs for my height.

Unfortunately, im all the way up in the north east, Middlesbrough. However, that does sound like a good deal if it cost £900 to build, but it is at the limit of my budget

Have a look at this post http://www.cyclechat.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=39870

 

[denno_uk]

I'm in stockton near middlesbrough. (what is IMO?) I think i might actually find a local club and stick my head in.

Thanks Pete, i had a read of that and i've got a feeling i may be in for getting that problem. I may keep my eye out for the bike he mentioned...the Giant Defy or whatever the older version was.

 

[dhague]

I am also 5' 8" and also long legs, short torso. The Defy was one of the bikes recommended for me when I did a bikefitting.com session - but I think you should be looking at a 54 rather than a 56, if possible. In Specialized numbers, that's a 52 (I got a Roubaix in that size).

Basically, what you're looking for is a "virtual top tube" length of about 53cm - that should just about fit your shorter torso. Remember, the seat height is much more adjustable than the reach.

Hope this helps,
Darren