Ventura Vitesse. £240. good for newbie??

[lordjenks]

hello, i have been lookin for a new road bike to start riding. saw a ventura vitesse on ebay from a good seller, i understand that buying form ebay comes with small risks and that i wont have a shops garantee. but concerning the bike, how good is it... i understand that it doesnt have carbon forks but for a 15 yr old beginner ....isnt too bad right??
thx XD

 

[cheadle hulme]

Post the ebay link (use the link button on the reply tolbar) and we'll let you know the pros and cons.

 

[PatrickPending]

it looks ok, bearing in mind you're probably still growing and will need a bigger bike, though I'd probably look at the second hand market myself.

Found a description here:-

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ventura-Vitesse-56Cm-Road-Racing/dp/B000VQONA6

 

[cheadle hulme]

It looks alright for the money. If you've got a Decathlon near you, check

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/sport-2-48-51-63-52393781/

they have offers from time to time too, though they don't seem well advertised.

 

[peanut]

Its not bad but it will be heavy and the chain rings will probably be steel (sora ) the rest of the components will probably be no name cheap stuff but on the positive side the whole bike will be new .
Sora 8 speed STi are brilliant levers and I still run them on my winter hack. Can't fault them frankly.

If it were me I'd probablygo for a second hand bike with better components but I know what to look for and am happy to take the risk.
For you I'd recommend you buy new from a local shop so you can take it back if anything goes wrong or breaks

 

[lordjenks]

...my local bike shops... thats the problem...one is **** and gives the worst service ever and the other only deal with giant and kube/cube, the giant defy 4 looks nice but it is quite expensive and i really dont that that sort of money, plus pedals etc.

 

[lordjenks]

and as im sure you could quess. it being my first real road bike i would be nervous about buying second hand without much advice and guidance

 

[Young Un]

Search around for second hand bikes - I got an 2007 scr2 for 310 quid - 250 quid cheaper than the 08 model. Look around on here to see which bikes are rated and which are to be avoided (use the search button)

 

[lordjenks]

yeah i can see where you are comming form, but its not so much the bike its why are they selling it?? and the only place i can think of is ebay and, well, they dont always tell the truth

 

[ASC1951]

I would rather buy something from the Classifieds section here than from Ebay - you will likely get a better price and IMO you are much less likely to be cheated. Hang around here for a week or so for some advice first. Browse the replies to Wanted as well as For Sale items.

 

[gbb]

hello, i have been lookin for a new road bike to start riding. saw a ventura vitesse on ebay from a good seller, i understand that buying form ebay comes with small risks and that i wont have a shops garantee. but concerning the bike, how good is it... i understand that it doesnt have carbon forks but for a 15 yr old beginner ....isnt too bad right??
thx XD

Where are you lordjenks ?
Your local Friday Ads may have something.
I sold my three year old Bianchi Via Nirone for £280 on there last year. Something like that'd be infinatey better than the ventura.

To be fair, you dont get too many good bikes on there, but i just missed out on an Orbea roadbike, hardly used, for £130 last year. It would have cost £500 new . The guy said to me...i think i undersold it

You can find Friday ads locally (usually a green freeby in your local garages, papershops etc) or here..
http://www.friday-ad.co.uk/
refine your searches to local or surrounding areas

 

[lordjenks]

yeah i have just done that, but it all seems a bit confusing :~ anyways i have placed a wanted "ad" on there thx

 

[lordjenks]

yh... thing is im more looking for advice on a bike, second hand or new, i have very limited knowlege and wouldnt be able to tell the difference
im in reading btw
thx:>

 

[wafflycat]

yeah i can see where you are comming form, but its not so much the bike its why are they selling it?? and the only place i can think of is ebay and, well, they dont always tell the truth

All sorts of legitimate reasons why folks sell bikes. Example - they've bought their first and now they're selling it as they're moving on to a better bike. Bought several bikes from ebay and every one has been a good buy. I would advise this though:-

1. Get to know what you are after in detail. Do your homework. If necessary get someone more experienced to advise.

2. Have your budget & stick to it.

3. Don't part with cash/cheque by post. Collect bike & pay *in person* No see bike: no money given.

4. Don't be afraid to ask for advice again and again and again if needed.

 

[wafflycat]

Apparently there's a cycle club at Reading

http://www.readingcyclingclub.com/

May be worthwhile contacting them to see if any of their members are selling anything?