Beginner bike advice needed!!

Mentalmidget

Hey all,

I am starting to take up cycling seriously and need some advice!!I would like a racer but only have a budget of about 600euro-ish. I went into a few cycle shops and the best I found was a Merida racer, 24 gears for 575euro..is this a good brand?Would appreciate any advice..thanks in advance

BuffyBot

Welcome to boards.ie Mentalmidget.

You've posted this in the wrong place, so I'll move it to the Cycling forum for you

blorg

Would need to see more details. You don't see a lot of Merida branded bikes in Ireland but they are a large Taiwanese firm that manufacture Specialized (which they own a 49% stake in) as well as a lot of other manufacturer's bikes. Bike could be good value, you could also consider second-hand. What are your goals with cycling?

Redmonda

Check out the bike coming into Lidl on Thursday. A bit beyond your budget, but a good bargain I reckon.

Mentalmidget

OOps, thanks for the redirect BuffyBot, you're a star..am new to this!I will find out more details and post them on this. The Lidl bike seems to be a bit controversial judging by another thread! Would prefer to buy from a bike shop so that i could get good after service. Nigel's cycles in galway has been recommended to me. Im taking part in the Croi Lough Corrib Cycle (approx 50k) end May and plan on doing regular cycles with similar distances. I know i should prob invest in a more expensive bike but pre-budget jitters are telling me NO! Thanks for your help

FOLDnoSHOW

if you can find my thread from a week or two ago, it should give you a few more options on a similar budget..got myself a cube aerial.should be arriving today

Mentalmidget

Thanks FOLDnoSHOW, found your thread which was really helpful. have emailed worldcycles so we'll see how I get on there!