Road bike questions

[gratts]

Hi all, new here!

I'm hopefully getting a job soon which will be about 4 miles travel. I walked it today and it takes about an hour brisk walking, so I'm looking into getting a second hand bike to cut that down..Might also use it to cycle to some lectures, which are also about 4 miles away. I can also see myself getting into it and just cycling everywhere!

Previously all I've had are big, chunky, heavy mountain bikes. Now..I'd only be cycling on roads, so I quite like the idea of a road bike.

I'm at uni..first year so I have a pretty tight budget!
Somewhere in the region of £150 ideally. Reluctantly stretching up to no more than £200.

I've been looking at them for a while now, and they do seem pretty expensive compared to mountain bikes, so I realise I'm not going to get a world-beating bike. I'd be buying second hand.
What sort of bike am I going to get for my money?
Are there any particular features or spec I should keep an eye out for?
And also, what brands am I likely to stumble upon in my price range? It'd be good to know which to seek, and which to avoid..performance, reliability wise etc.

I'm in Southampton..If anybody happens to be selling one, or knows of a decent shop I can pop into

Is this any good for the price?
http://nottingham.gumtree.com/nottingham/34/27851634.html

Cheers guys
Paul

 

[wlc1]

E bay is a good place for a second hand bike.

Some deals to be had on there.

I hate to say it but stretch to 200 notes and the quality difference will be marked

 

[gbb]

The Carrera Virtuoso would be an ok bike Paul.
RSX shifters would be 7 speed i assume (someone feel free to confirm or deny it ).
The bike looks in fairly good nick, so as a starter, you could do much worse.

Halfords do the 2008 Virtuoso model for £249, and it comes with pedals and is now 8 speed.

If you're buying second hand, try to fnd out what size you will need. Nothing worse than a bike that's too big or too small.

 

[Tharg2007]

get yourself a single speed bike, then later you can make it fixed. You can pick them up for around 150

 

[gratts]

Have been keeping half an eye on nearby listings on ebay, everything seems to be £400+ region so far though.

That bike I linked to is pretty near where my parents live (and me during holidays!) so could be a possibility if it's still around.

And Tharg..you lost me half way through that sentence!
I understand the single speed..but what is 'making it fixed'? And what does it entail?
Thanks again!

 

[swee'pea99]

This may well go for £50. Don't be fooled by the scrappy looks (tho' potential thieves will) - this thing is quality (just look at the forks).
Gazelle made some nice bikes, don't know if this is one of 'em, but might be worth checking out.
This looks good.
This could well end up being the pick of the bunch - it'll be cheap as chips, no thief will look at it twice (or even once), and I bet it rides real nice.

 

[Tharg2007]

nice selection there swee, the gazelle looks real nice, with sti too
all luckily collection only otherwise i could end up in hot water with the missus

 

[gratts]

Thank you kind sir!
I think I'd prefer something a bit older and solid, as you said, thieves would hopefully walk straight by it and try and break free the expensive looking dual suspension mountain bike pile of junk sitting next to it
Unfortunately I, nor nobody I know has a car, so I've literally been looking at those within 10 miles of me. Maybe I'll strike lucky!

The lovely internet has just told me there's a decent little bike shop a mile down the road, seems to be one of those good old fashioned, friendly places, so I'll pop in some time for a chat and nosey

 

[PpPete]

Hi gratts
new (ish) here meself.
just up road in Eastleigh so if you need any local help...

as for local LBS - I'll send you a PM

Swee'pea choices are right on - I looked at, and been tempted, by 2 of those ! However my garage is already full of bikes.

I might just go get this... http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=220289538527
the handlebars really intrigue me. if it's no good I'll break it up for spares.
One things for sure - it would never get stolen !

 

[gratts]

Anybody know anything about Peugeot racing bikes? Are they up to much?
In particular I've been looking at this one:
link

I'm also guessing this is a pretty decent bike?


I'm suddenly not so keen on spending bundles though..A golden oldie £100 or less would be fine.

 

[PpPete]

Gratts
Any good ?
View attachment 1261

View attachment 1262

View attachment 1263

 

[swee'pea99]

Peugeots cover the full spectrum, from cheapo clunkers made out of gas pipe to some real exotica. Few are genuinely bad, but the vast majority are nothing special. Including, at a glance, the one you've linked to. It's probably ok; you could probably do better, with a little time and effort. If you see anything you dont recognise, this is a good place to do some basic research.

 

[gratts]

Excellent, thanks for the link, looks useful

What about Raleigh Airlite 200?
Have found an almost new one a couple of miles from me..
Are Raleigh duff or not? I had a cracking mountain bike from them years ago, which got stolen, bought a different Raleigh and it was terrible.

 

[Landslide]

Having recently put one back together for a mate, I'd recommend that you avoid cheap Peugeots like the plague.

 

[gratts]

I'll cross another off the list then..thanks for the heads up

This was the Raleigh one:
http://southampton.gumtree.com/southampton/15/29597215.html

I'm 5'10 though..is a 52cm frame too small or is it do-able?
If so I'd be tempted to make a cheeky low offer..

Long shot, but can anyone tell me anything about this from the picture?
I've messaged asking for more info.

Thanks for putting up with all my annoying nigglyness!