Ready to start!

[CXRAndy]

So im thinking of getting a road bike so I can adjust to the different gears and drop bars well ahead of the velo and my first sportive in March.

I have narrowed it down to 3 I think - that are within my price range ATM (second hand ones)

What are your thoughts on these?

B'twin Triban 500 - click

Carrera Zelos - click

Trek Madone 4.5 - click

They're a bit old - but remember I am just starting out. I will invest in a better more up-to-date beauty closer to june

All opinions and advice welcomed as usual

A good basis for your first road bike is nothing too aggressive in ride position, wide tyre and slightly easier gearing.

So a 'endurance' type frame. Descriptions like touring/gravel/endurance are suitable

Wide tyres is upto 40mm, but 35mm is fine.

easy gearing. Crank (gears on pedals) 46/32 48/32 or 50/34-described as compact. The other two are described as sub compact/touring

Cassette (gears on back wheel)

For ease of going up steep hills. 11-32 or 11-34. 11 teeth makes bike go faster 34 teeth allows easier pedalling up hills.

With that in mind choose a bike with these parameters above for as cheap as you can get them. eBay is good place with lots of nearly new bikes from last years enthusiastic new riders who just give up after a couple of weeks.

The Triban is the nearest to my outline above.

Ill do a quick look on eBay

 

[vickster]

If you're open to 2nd hand bikes, have you checked what's available on gumtree?

Indeed, must be a reasonable choice in and around Birmingham

 

[LibraRider]

A good basis for your first road bike is nothing too aggressive in ride position, wide tyre and slightly easier gearing.

So a 'endurance' type frame. Descriptions like touring/gravel/endurance are suitable

Wide tyres is upto 40mm, but 35mm is fine.

easy gearing. Crank (gears on pedals) 46/32 48/32 or 50/34-described as compact. The other two are described as sub compact/touring

Cassette (gears on back wheel)

For ease of going up steep hills. 11-32 or 11-34. 11 teeth makes bike go faster 34 teeth allows easier pedalling up hills.

With that in mind choose a bike with these parameters above for as cheap as you can get them. eBay is good place with lots of nearly new bikes from last years enthusiastic new riders who just give up after a couple of weeks.

The Triban is the nearest to my outline above.

Ill do a quick look on eBay

Great! Thank you!

In and around bham ideally - but will travel up to 50miles for a bargain

Please let me know if you find anything.

I am watching a few ATM myself on eBay

 

[vickster]

Giant Avails are cracking women specific design models, at 5'8 you'll want a medium (or the men's Defy, a small would be better for your height I think, a medium was too big for me at a female 5'10, long legs, shorter torso )

 

[Reynard]

As a newbie, buying a used bike blind without really knowing what you're looking for comes with a lot of pitfalls. You may get lucky. But also, you may not.

I'd have a look to see if there isn't a bike co-operative or something of that ilk in your neck of the woods. They'll have refurbished bikes for sale, plus you'd have the benefit of getting advice, they'll have maintenance classes etc.

Why not place a request in the "wanted" section of the forum's classifieds. Who knows, there may be someone on here who is selling something that might suit.

 

[CXRAndy]

Great! Thank you!

In and around bham ideally - but will travel up to 50miles for a bargain

Please let me know if you find anything.

I am watching a few ATM myself on eBay

I spotted this. Giant Avail womans bike M size. £180 no bids ends tomorrow. A little further in Windsor

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Giant-Liv-Avail-3-Ladies-Road-Bike-/333501905147


Another here more expensive, but its too pricey for its age make an offer if it appeals. Location Slough

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Giant-Liv-Avail-2-Womens-Road-Bike-/223893873007

 

[nickAKA]

I spotted this. Giant Avail womans bike M size. £180 no bids ends tomorrow. A little further in Windsor

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Giant-Liv-Avail-3-Ladies-Road-Bike-/333501905147


Another here more expensive, but its too pricey for its age make an offer if it appeals. Location Slough

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Giant-Liv-Avail-2-Womens-Road-Bike-/223893873007

Both decent.
I'd throw an offer in on the first one whilst there are no bids on it. Got to be worth £150?
Second one is a better spec and if it's only been ridden twice... but realistically, £250-£300? Probably 'worth' more but it's only worth what someone is willing to pay for it... BS about the saddle, offer £250 and tell the seller to put the original saddle back on it. You'd probably end up changing it anyway.

 

[LibraRider]

£400 is pricey!!! Lol

I’ve thought about getting a new bike on finance too? Has anyone else done this?

What are people’s thoughts on the Raleigh bikes now? They used to be alright back in the day

 

[HobbesOnTour]

I’ve thought about getting a new bike on finance too? Has anyone else done this?

Can I be boring and dull and suggest that if you're considering getting a different bike on finance to wait until you're sure you know what you want and need?

Learn on the bike you have - not just how to cycle but how to do basic maintenance, road craft, navigation. The more you do the more you learn. The more you learn the better decision you'll make when it comes to the "new" bike.

If you can afford a road bike now and to upgrade it before your ride that's fine. However, I'd personally avoid finance unless I really, really needed it.

Right now it should all be about enjoyment, comfort and clocking up time and experience on the bike. I don't think you need a new bike for any of that.

 

[figbat]

Is cycle-to-work an option?

 

[12boy]

I second the idea of riding your hybrid for a while because......
You can work on getting the ergonomics just right. Once saddle height, fore and aft position, saddle angle and hand placements are dialed in you can duplicate that on your future bikes. All my bikes are the same in those critical areas.
You can, through experience, learn what to look for in another bike and what to avoid. The hype and jargon can be baffling at first.
As said by others, tire choice makes a hell of a difference. Fitting lightweight slicks can be a revelation. Putting lightweight tires on my bikes after a winter on studded snow ties at twice the tire weight is like growing wings as an example and easily adds 3-4 mph with less effort .
I'd hold off on a new bike for a bit and invest a little money in a good, long distance saddle and if you have a flat bar, perhaps some bar ends. Be nice to have some minimal tools and a spare innertube and patch kit. A fairly large bike bag off the saddle will hold the tools and allow you to tote extra clothes or remove layers as needs be. That good saddle can be transferred from bike to bike, although I have 5 identical ones for my favorite 5 bikes. Another item you may find worthwhile is a mirror that allows you to check for cars behind you without twisting to look over your shoulder.
As your mileage increases whatever ergonomic or saddle problems you may have will become more noticeable. You will also develop muscle memory that will make shifting and finding the brake levers automatic and quick.

 

[LibraRider]

Thanks everyone!

I have managed to find myself a Carrera Virtuoso for a nice price (see pics)

Going to have a look and pick it up later today providing all is well.

I do appreciate your opinions with continuing to ride my hybrid - and i have no intentions of not riding it. I just wanted to get a road bike so I can get used to the different speed of it, the narrow wheels, the drop bars and just all round training really.
I will use the hybrid on days when the road is a little wetter/muddier.

 

[vickster]

Thanks everyone!

I have managed to find myself a Carrera Virtuoso for a nice price (see pics)

Going to have a look and pick it up later today providing all is well.

I do appreciate your opinions with continuing to ride my hybrid - and i have no intentions of not riding it. I just wanted to get a road bike so I can get used to the different speed of it, the narrow wheels, the drop bars and just all round training really.
I will use the hybrid on days when the road is a little wetter/muddier.

View attachment 503692 View attachment 503693

Looks good enjoy. Do make sure it’s the right size, don’t just look at it, ride it around the block as a minimum. If too big you’ll feel stretched, small really cramped. If it’s marginal, both could be resolved with a shorter or longer stem. If it’s a mans version, you may want narrower bars and a women’s saddle as mentioned elsewhere

 

[cyberknight]

nice looks like it has mtb style clipless pedals for shoes with the 2 bolt recessed metal cleat , do you have that sort of shoe or you will have to change them to ride.
Based on the OP 5 foot 8 if i remember ? halfords sizing a 51 frame =54 top tube, 54 = 56 top tube

 

[12boy]

Ah... the heart wants what the heart wants. Get some miles in and enjoy your new friend.