road bike wanted

Icyseanfitz

looking at getting my first road bike to help my fitness, il have a budget of about 400 euro and im not sure what i should be expecting for that kind of money second hand i was looking at that tdf bike in halfords for 380 euro, seems nice but i guess i can get more second hand for the same kind of money (did with my mtb), i use a large frame on my mtb's as im 6 foot and 13 stone, im not too sure what size frame i should be looking for on a road bike though.

Any help would be great lads and ladies

CheGuedara

First stop - when you get to the door of Hafords stop, turn around and go back into town into O'Hallorans in Boherbee. When you get there tell him you have €400 to spend on your first racer and you would like to know what he has new and second hand that might fit the bill.

You could be lucky and he may have something in your budget but if I were you even if I'd have to save a little more I'd leave the cash with him to get the entry Giant Defy at least as those Halfords machines will only go sour on you. He also has some very nice Bianchi's in stock that might tempt you to save a little more.

FWIW I'm a little over 6ft 1 and ride a 56cm frame (L in Giant sizing).

Icyseanfitz

the thing is im saving up for a nice carbon road bike (PX nanolight) and as thats going to take a nice bit of time for me to get the €'s together im looking at getting something cheap and cheerful while im waiting.......patience isnt one of my finer virtues

didnt know O'hallorans stocked second hand bikes, good to know.

As for halfords, i know their build quality can be shoddy but some of their bikes are actually really good, took my fathers boardman pro mtb out for a spin 2 days ago and was really surprised by it :eek:

shamwari

How much is a PX Nanolight these days?

Icyseanfitz

the one im looking at is 1500 sterling

Axmin

Icyseanfitz wrote: »

the one im looking at is 1500 sterling

Stick the 400 in the credit union, get a loan and get the 1500 quid bike now. Then you don't have a 400 bike that you'll be lucky to get 250 for and the hassle of selling it. The depreciation is possibly larger than the loan interest payments (mental calc only!).

Only an idea...

Icyseanfitz

i wont be taking any loans out good suggestion though, although if i bought a second hand bike for 400 it wouldn't depreciate as much as if i bought a new bike for 400 (depending on how well its maintained), either way i like to keep my bikes this will be my third proper bike

C3PO

Definately buy second-hand, those Carerras are fine but very heavy! If you are a little patient you will get something nice for your budget!

Icyseanfitz

do most shops have some second hand bikes? might ask Denis over in killarney if he has any, already bought a new bike from him a couple of months back

sonofthegun

carreara tdf never used large adults bike 270 euro and u can put the other 130 towards your other bike

Icyseanfitz

il get back to you in a couple of weeks if you still have it

JonDoe

At a guess 56cm would be a good size frame for yourself and a crank length of not less than 170mm. If it's for fitness then weight is not the upmost concern. Get a nice steel frame and some branded wheels (minimum
shimano rs10's), friction bar end shifters will be the most reliable.