Should I buy this bike

[moorw003]

Hi

I recently decided to sell my old mountain bike, it's too heavy now I've moved to a flat area and my commute is quick. Instead I'm looking for a cheap road bike, £500 budget. I've looked around and am seriously looking at this bike from Rutland Cycling...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AIRLITE-A...0580741724?pt=UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item4cf825ce5c

Just looking for a few opinions, bearing in mind I'm new to road cycling and haven't got a huge budget I'm not looking for responses "if you budget would stretch to £700" etc just some suggestions around my price range, on on the bike posted above.

Thanks in advance.

 

[smokeysmoo]

If I had your budget I'd buy used to be brutally honest. I'm not slating the Raleigh at all, but you will get far more bike for your money this way.

 

[teletext45]

I've defy 4 2010 model for £404.99 i know the 2011 is just over £500 fastastic spec, basic but functional spec and rides really nice too

my recomendation

andy

 

[JonnyBlade]

I'd go for this but you'd have to be pretty damn quick

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Road-bike...=UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item4aad41d0c5#ht_682wt_932

 

[Hacienda71]

For a brand new bike with Tiagra and sub 10kg I think the Raleigh looks ok for the money. Most bikes in the £500 bracket seem to be Sora or 2300 shod which is a lower level than Tiagra. My concern would be buying on the net means you haven't tried the bike to see if it suits you. Most of the geometry as long as the frame is the right size can be sorted by fiddling with seat height and stem length etc.
It will certainly be a damn site faster than your MTB it also has clearance and eyelets for mudguards which is good for a commuter.

 

[Nebulous]

I bought a Raleigh airlite mtb from Rutland via ebay last year and the transaction was straightforward and trouble-free.

Tiagra is very good for the price. It's your money, and it has to be up to you, but you could certainly do a lot worse. Remember to budget for other 'bits' as well. Lights, mudguards, pump, tubes etc all cost more than you anticipate.

 

[Kestevan]

If you want to stick with buying new, I'd seriously consider one of the Decathlon road bikes at this price.

Theres one at £299 which has roughly the same spec as the Raleigh, and a £499 model with carbon stays. Both look to be well made and Decathlons after sales reputation is second to none.

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/bikes-3962299/?gclid=CKGC8eHOsqoCFUtA4QodzxS38Q

 

[moorw003]

The second hand route of course will result in getting a better bike, but that is true of everything, for bikes I like to buy new. Maybe it's folly, but I like to know the only person who has ragged it at the end of the day is myself.

I like the look of the 499 Decathlon, people seem to have a high regard for them and there is a shop local to me so I may pop in. Also been looking at a Felt from Wiggle which also looks like a good buy. Have to say I'm tempted with the Raleigh though, it seems to be the correct size and it looks great.

Thanks gratefully for your responses

 

[Alembicbassman]

Tiagra for a tad over £400 is very good value

I have a Raleigh U6 Alu-Carbon with Shimano 105. Great bike, no problems at all in 3 years of ownership.

Their customer service dept. is in Nottingham too.