First bike

pajero12

Im just getting into cycling and i want to buy something cheap(Preferably under €300 to get me going)
Im only 17 so not much cash to hand:rolleyes:)
Was thinking maybe a road racer but i live on rural roads so was told it may be too harsh a ride!What ye think?
Thinking something like this: http://marreybikes.com/shop/boys-reflex-tornado-racer-p-587.html?osCsid=7o65qkm0ag8s57sgdkhkve4kh1

Also im 6ft 1.What would be the right size for me?

Before people start telling me I know the bike will be pretty basic but its just a starter.
Thanks

Home:Ballyhoura

That is a boys/kids beginner entry level racing style bike. Look at the wheel size, 24"...what you want at 6'1 is one with the standard road bike wheels which is 700c. Then you would look at frame size which is measured in cm ... probably around a 56 or 58 for you. A road bike should be grand for most Irish road unless you decide to take it off-road. My advice would be to go to your nearest bike shop and have a look and see what fits you best seeing as it is your first time. Many people on here will say buy cheap, buy twice and not to look at such a basic bike but its up to you. I started on a Carrera Virtuoso from Halfords for around the same price and it was actually surprisingly good for the time I had it (not long admittedly) .

Tonyandthewhale

I wouldn't worry about a road bike on rural roads, you'll go through more tires than you would on a hybrid or MTB but you'll go faster too and enjoy yourself more so a road bike is a good investment.
However be careful what you buy, if you don't know what you're looking for and buy of the internet you could end up with a 24'' wheel bike suitable for a 10 year old. As ballyhoura said go to a bricks and mortar shop and see what they recommend. I'd also advise you to take their recommendation and see what it costs online and in different shops (although shop is best because of after-sales service). If you want to buy a road bike for under 300e you should be able to get something sufficient but you'll have to be shrewd to get something properly nice.

blorg

Under €300 you should be looking second hand, you will not get a new road bike for that money. Try www.adverts.ie, www.buyandsell.ie, www.gumtree.ie and the Adverts forum here on boards.

pajero12

Okay fair enough,i think ill have to kick up the budget another bit.
Apart from price which would be better!Hybrid or Road racer?Now I dont know alot about bikes,but the riding position on a hybrid seems similar to a mtb.My sister thinks the riding position on a road bike is too low for a beginner!What ye think?Also i realize ill have to actually have to see the bike in person.

Thanks for yer replys already.

blorg

You will be more likely to pick something up for that sort of price if going for a hybrid; road bikes start at a higher price tag.

Road bikes are more suitable for long cycles, (say 50-75km+) you go faster, have more hand positions and your weight is better distributed between seat, pedals and bars. Hybrids are perfectly adaquate for shorter cycles. Depends on what your goals are with this whole cycling lark.

If you really get into it you may want to get a road bike but a hybrid can be a perfectly adaquate starter, you could always get it first and a road bike in six months to a year if you find you want to go further. I started with a hybrid myself and cycled one for many years.

papac

My sister thinks the riding position on a road bike is too low for a beginner

The riding position can be as high or as low as you like within reason-just raise or lower the bars.
A lot of road bikes you see do have a really low bar(too low often imo) but it doesn't have to be that way.