Wanted - Decent Used Road Bike for max €500.

Johnners1878

Hello all,

I discovered this forum and was using it for a bit of research when I began to wonder if anyone here might have something which would suit me, and could save me wading through a lot over overpriced rubbish on Donedeal that I always worry might be stolen anyway, and save you some of the hagglers that are always on DD or Adverts.ie.

I used to do a fair bit of cycling years back, but have only pottered around occasionally on a hybrid for the last few years. Have now discovered a few lads who do a regular 50-60k run, so want to get something that will give me a chance of keeping up, without costing me a fortune, in case they turn out to be too young and fast for me.

I'm 45, 6'1, fairly fit and flexible. Sligo-based, but would happily travel to pick up the right bike. It doesn't have to be near- new, or anything, just well looked after. Cash deal is fine too.

Thanks,
John

Trekker09

Hi Johnners1878, I have a Giant Defy 4 which I bought to use while I was having my other bike built up. It's a large size and is ib good condition and will be serviced before I sell it. I'd be looking for around €400.

Johnners1878

Sounds interesting Trekker09 - where are you based? Should I PM you on it?

Trekker09

I'm based in Kilkenny, but don't mind travelling halfway to meet up. I'm not in any hurry to sell, and as previously mentioned, want to get the bike fully serviced and checked over before I part with it. I've been using it periodically over the past few months and it's working fine.

Trekker09

..............sorry, forgot to mention, all dealings have to be in the thread. Can PM contact details if we arrange a meeting etc.

yop

Johnners/Trekker, I don't want to be a thorn in the thread but I am 5'11 and the large suited me but my brother who is 6ft 1 or MAYBE 6ft 2, had to get the Xlarge in the Giant Defy so make sure the size fits.

Sorry if it sounds like I am interfering but you need a good fit on a bike if you are doing that mileage.

Johnners1878

Thanks Trekker09 & Yop - appreciate your point about size - had a spin on my 5'10" mate's Trek last week and it was definitely a little too small. All advice/suggestions/offers gratefully received!

Trekker09

I found that the Giant large was bigger than my 56cm Claude Butler, but I agree with yop that you should try for size and hopefully get some advice from a cycling pal, or do some research on bike fitting. I've seen some responses to ads saying that you can just adjust the seat post etc but there is no substitute for a correct size bike. As yop pointed out, doing highish mileage, you will notice a poor fitting bike.

aidanki

Trekker09 wrote: »

Hi Johnners1878, I have a Giant Defy 4 which I bought to use while I was having my other bike built up. It's a large size and is ib good condition and will be serviced before I sell it. I'd be looking for around €400.

hi trekker,

what height person does it suit and where are you based

all the best

yop

Trekker09 wrote: »

I found that the Giant large was bigger than my 56cm Claude Butler, but I agree with yop that you should try for size and hopefully get some advice from a cycling pal, or do some research on bike fitting. I've seen some responses to ads saying that you can just adjust the seat post etc but there is no substitute for a correct size bike. As yop pointed out, doing highish mileage, you will notice a poor fitting bike.

Sorry Trekker I hope I didn't lose you a sale on that. I was ordering the XL bike as I had thought I knew what I was buying but thankfully the bike shop put me right and I got up on 5000km last year on the giant without any issues.

I am 5ft 11" and the LARGE 55CM Giant Defy frame is ideal Aidanki

lismuse

@trekker09,,,,, I just came accross this thread and may be interested in the Defy 4 if you are selling it. Did you buy the bike new or used and what condition is it in,Is it 16 or 24 speed.

mo_bhicycle

Hey Trekker,
I've got a 58cm Trek 1000 that I'm no longer using. I'm 6'2" and it fits me perfectly. I can put up more details and some photos when I get home if you are interested. Looking for €285 and I'm based in Galway.

M_B

Trekker09

yop wrote: »

Sorry Trekker I hope I didn't lose you a sale on that. I was ordering the XL bike as I had thought I knew what I was buying but thankfully the bike shop put me right and I got up on 5000km last year on the giant without any issues.

I am 5ft 11" and the LARGE 55CM Giant Defy frame is ideal Aidanki

Not at all! When I sell the bike I want to make sure that it suits the person, thanks for highlighting this as newbies need all the correct info that they can get.

BTW new bike ready today!!

Trekker09

mo_bhicycle wrote: »

Hey Trekker,
I've got a 58cm Trek 1000 that I'm no longer using. I'm 6'2" and it fits me perfectly. I can put up more details and some photos when I get home if you are interested. Looking for €285 and I'm based in Galway.

M_B

its Johnners1878 who is looking for the bike mo_bhicycle

Trekker09

lismuse wrote: »

@trekker09,,,,, I just came accross this thread and may be interested in the Defy 4 if you are selling it. Did you buy the bike new or used and what condition is it in,Is it 16 or 24 speed.

Based in Kilkenny, 16 speed. Bought it 2nd hand from a guy who used it for commuting. Great condition, and as stated, it will be fully serviced and checked over before it is sold.

mo_bhicycle

Trekker09 wrote: »

its Johnners1878 who is looking for the bike mo_bhicycle

Was posting in a bit of a rush, sorry about that. My original post should have been directed at Johnners1878.

Johnners1878

Lots of activity here since I last checked - thanks everyone. Lets see if I can get it all straight. First Trekker 09, cheers, I like the Giant, but it does seem that the Large frame is 55.5cm, which might be a little tight for me. Looks like you may have two potential buyers in Aidanki or Lismuse anyway.

Mo Bhicycle - I'm definitely interested in your Trek 1000 - can you provide a bit more info or a pic or two. I'm in Letterfrack on Saturday, not sure where in Galway you're based, but that might work.

John

yop

Trekker09 wrote: »

Not at all! When I sell the bike I want to make sure that it suits the person, thanks for highlighting this as newbies need all the correct info that they can get.

BTW new bike ready today!!

What did you buy? Well wear with the new bike

Trekker09

yop wrote: »

What did you buy? Well wear with the new bike

It's a Cinelli, with all Dura Ace bits that DocMan is putting together for me. A bit retro bike but looks great. Will post pics up soon in another thread

Trekker09

aidanki wrote: »

hi trekker,

what height person does it suit and where are you based

all the best

Sorry aidanki, missed your post this morning, was working last night so not switched on yet!

Based in Kilkenny. Would suit somebody from 5'10" to 6' I reckon.

lismuse

@trekker09, when will it be available and can you send some pics please.

mo_bhicycle

Johnners1878 wrote: »

Mo Bhicycle - I'm definitely interested in your Trek 1000 - can you provide a bit more info or a pic or two. I'm in Letterfrack on Saturday, not sure where in Galway you're based, but that might work.

John

Hey John,
I've uploaded a few photos of the bike here: http://imgur.com/a/xYOSs#Z5iL4
It's a 2003 Trek 1000, more info on it can be found here (mine is a standard double rather than a triple): http://www.bikepedia.com/quickbike/BikeSpecs.aspx?Year=2003&Brand=Trek&Model=1000&Type=bike

Its the first road bike I bought and I used it for training, sportives and some light touring. It was replaced as my main bike about two years ago and since then I've been using it as a winter bike.

Most of the components are original, with the exception of the front brakes which I replaced last November (new tiagra).
It's in pretty good condition overall but there are 3 issues with the bike I should mention:
* There's a paint chip on the forks (which is shown in one of the pics)
* I slipped going around a corner last December and broke a small bit of plastic off the left shifter (should be shown in one of the pics), however the shifter continues to function perfectly
* The bottom bracket is on the way out, I've been meaning to replace it over the summer so that it'd be ok for the winter. If you are interested in the bike I can do this before giving it to you.

I'm based in Galway city but will be in Letterfrack for a race on Sunday if you'll still be there.

Trekker09

lismuse wrote: »

@trekker09, when will it be available and can you send some pics please.

lismuse, hopefully early next week. Will post some pics when i get back from work

aidanki

Trekker09 wrote: »

Sorry aidanki, missed your post this morning, was working last night so not switched on yet!

Based in Kilkenny. Would suit somebody from 5'10" to 6' I reckon.

ok if lismuse declines I might be interested put up the pics and we can all have a look

Johnners1878

Thanks mo bhicycle - I'm in Letterfrack to photograph a wedding, but will be heading home on Saturday night - good luck in your race though. You and your Trek 1000 have put in some hard miles together I'd say. Appreciate your openly pointing out the minor defects too.

I visited a local bike shop today, Trailblazers http://www.trailblazers.ie/ in Carrick-On-Shannon. Gerry there is a keen cyclist and founder of the Leitrim Cycling Club. After chatting to him for a while, I think I may go the whole hog and buy a new bike under the Bike to Work scheme. I didn't think it would apply to me as I'm self-employed, but apparently it does. With the tax relief it makes a new buy more attractive. So I'll check it out and then decide. Would like to support a new local business run by an enthusiast too. They stock Specialized, Lapierre and now Giant, so choosing could still be tricky. If I can’t do the Bike to Work thing then I could be back for the Trek 1000 – we checked sizes today and I’m deffo a 58 frame.


Thanks for all your help!
John