Which bike for starter?

Stoolbend

I'm thinking of getting a road bike.

I'm taking up cycling just to try get fit.

No idea at all when it comes to bikes so looking for suggestions.

What're peoples opinion on this bike for a beginner? http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/bicycles/3368543

My budget would be pretty flexible with value for money being more important than cost.

Thanks.

petethedrummer

It's cheap but it's not value for money.

"Shimano A050 Shifters 14 Speed". The shifters are mounted on the top of the bars. This went out of fashionin the early 90's. 14 speed also! I'd expect a few more in this day and age.

The cheapest bike available that isn't rubbish is a Carrera from halfords.

http://southcoastbikes.co.uk/articles.asp?article=NO_BSO

rab!dmonkey

If you're elligible for the Bike to Work scheme you would definitely be getting value for money by spending the full €1k (this is pre-tax, so you'll really only be down €600, I think). Plenty of bike shops will have great packages around this price, so shop around.

dev100

What's your budget ??? That bike for sale is from a garden machinery company . Buy from a bike shop

Tonyandthewhale

The bike you linked is 299e second hand and I would be surprised if you couldn't buy it (or something essentially identical) new online for less. I still wouldn't bother though. Bad bike, bad value.

Squidgy Black

Tonyandthewhale wrote: »

The bike you linked is 299e second hand and I would be surprised if you couldn't buy it (or something essentially identical) new online for less. I still wouldn't bother though. Bad bike, bad value.

It's brand new, it's the gardening centre who sells them listing it on donedeal.

OP, stick your money back in your pocket, and save up for the Carrera from Halfords. They're solid enough bikes and are far superior than the bike you were looking at. If you have an AXA or AON insurance policy, or know somebody with one, you can get 15% off at Halfords at the moment.

Stoolbend

Work probably wouldn't do the bike to work scheme.

Thanks for the suggestions.

This might seem a bit petty, but I just don't like the look of that bike. If I'm going to spend €400+ I'd want to like the look of the bike.

What sort of specs should I be looking out for?

smacl

Two more to consider;

Raleigh Airlite 300, €590 - http://www.wiggle.co.uk/raleigh-airlite-300-2011/
Raleigh Airlite 100, €492 - http://www.wiggle.co.uk/raleigh-airlite-100-2011/

IMO, the 300 is the better value of these two, and if you're going to spend €500, get that extra ton together for something reasonable. IMO ~€600 is excellent value for this spec, though only available in 51cm at this price.

If your budget limit is ~€500, you may be better off looking around for a decent 2nd hand bike, or (cough) decent new hybrid.

Dilbert75

Funnily enough I was thinking along the same lines and had seen a similar link on Donedeal - found a link to the same place and thought some of the Claude Butler bikes looked ok for the money, especially as they will work the Cycle to Work scheme.

However what I've realised is that I don't know what exactly to look for in a bike. I'd be hoping to use it for cross-training for a marathon, with a view to maybe expanding to recreational Duathalons & Triathalons in the future. I would have no real interest in road racing. So what features are important?

Dilbert75

Dilbert75 wrote: »

So what features are important?

Eh... none apparently.

dev100

Dilbert75 wrote: »

Eh... none apparently.

Ha ha

The most important feature is money . How much are you willing to part with.
You looking for a road bike or hybrid or a bike with straight handle bars.

Dilbert75

dev100 wrote: »

Dilbert75 wrote: »

Eh... none apparently.

Ha ha

The most important feature is money . How much are you willing to part with.
You looking for a road bike or hybrid or a bike with straight handle bars.

Thanks for the reply. Looking for a road bike - bike to work jobbie. Found a Scott S30 in a local shop - it's a 2011 model but apart from gaining an extra two gears this year (18-20) there doesn't appear to be much difference. Could get a couple of hundred euro worth of gear - pedals, shoes, etc - within my budget, so it looks like a decent enough deal to me. Reviews say wheels are a bit on the heavy side (2.2kg) but other than that it gets a warm response for the price bracket.

Cee-Jay-Cee

I went throught the BTW scheme and got a bike and some gear valued at €788 (i paid an additional €200 cash myself along with it) I'm in the top PSRI bracket and the bike costs me €6.38 a week so €331.76 in total which is only 42% of the cost. I think if you go for the full €1000 it will end up costing you roughly €480 for the bike with the rest being covered by the scheme.

ComputerKing

Take a look at wiggle.co.uk got my bike from them last year and they always have sales on and remember you can claim back money with the cycle to work scheme.
I am also no way connected to wiggle.co.uk

Dilbert75

Dilbert75 wrote: »

Found a Scott S30 in a local shop - it's a 2011 model but apart from gaining an extra two gears this year (18-20) there doesn't appear to be much difference. Could get a couple of hundred euro worth of gear - pedals, shoes, etc - within my budget, so it looks like a decent enough deal to me.

Went to order this today but the last 2011 model had been sold yesterday. They have an S50 but it has Shimano Sora rather than Tiagra, on which the guy had been selling me the other one. Ditto the Giant Defy 3.

Giant Defy 2 looks good and has Tiagra, but cuts me back on my accessories to stay within the €1k.

dev100

Dilbert75 wrote: »

Went to order this today but the last 2011 model had been sold yesterday. They have an S50 but it has Shimano Sora rather than Tiagra, on which the guy had been selling me the other one. Ditto the Giant Defy 3.

Giant Defy 2 looks good and has Tiagra, but cuts me back on my accessories to stay within the €1k.

Buy all your accessories online except for a helmet everything is generally much cheaper use your 1k to buy the best bike you can .

Dilbert75

dev100 wrote: »

Buy all your accessories online except for a helmet everything is generally much cheaper use your 1k to buy the best bike you can .

Sounds like it could be good advice. What are the best places to look for accessories (pedals, shoes, mudguards, etc)?

dev100

Dilbert75 wrote: »

Sounds like it could be good advice. What are the best places to look for accessories (pedals, shoes, mudguards, etc)?

Chainreactioncycles.com in the north are good have absolutely everything. They ve got ton dear in last while with the currency . They charge. Irish vat rate of 23 % . Gives you an idea for comparing pricing with LBS. wiggle is another site .

Shoes can be dodgee buying online I buy local so I can try and get the fit right. Likes of jerseys chamois shorts jackets gloves and likes find online .

I bought my first road bike 2 yr ago I like you hadn't a clue . A workmate put me onto treks he never had fault with their frames always comfortable etc. his advice was buy the best your pocket can afford . If you get a bike with a carbon fork ( less shock load on rough roads) and a 105 entery level racing groupset. I have a trek 2.1 has a 105 groupset hasn't given me a spot of bother except a popped spoKe and replaced an uncomfortable saddleall I know is I still have to pedal the bloody thing up the hills

Good luck with choosing

smacl

dev100 wrote: »

Chainreactioncycles.com in the north are good have absolutely everything.

CRC have gone quite expensive of late. Before buying, make your shopping list and compare prices on a few places, e.g. your local bike shop, cyclesuperstore.ie, chainreactioncycles.com, bike24.com, wiggle.co.uk, ribble.co.uk etc... You also need to factor in postage.

For best value, I've had good experiences with bike24 and ribble, but still use the others occasionally as well.

Dilbert75

One thing I'm noticing is that, give or take a very few quid, every bike shop seems to be charging the same price for each model. The bike companies must be exercising a good deal of control over dealers to make sure that there's no deviation from RRP. Do any of them give discount off list?

dev100

Dilbert75 wrote: »

One thing I'm noticing is that, give or take a very few quid, every bike shop seems to be charging the same price for each model. The bike companies must be exercising a good deal of control over dealers to make sure that there's no deviation from RRP. Do any of them give discount off list?

Only time you will get a discount is when next seasons bikes are being ready to be stocked.

dev100

smacl wrote: »

CRC have gone quite expensive of late. Before buying, make your shopping list and compare prices on a few places, e.g. your local bike shop, cyclesuperstore.ie, chainreactioncycles.com, bike24.com, wiggle.co.uk, ribble.co.uk etc... You also need to factor in postage.

For best value, I've had good experiences with bike24 and ribble, but still use the others occasionally as well.

Ive actually stopped buying from them so have my mates also . The feckless are charging Irish vat that annoys me and the currency not a great rate.

Great site for bike porn though

DoMyBooks

dev100 wrote: »

Ive actually stopped buying from them so have my mates also . The feckless are charging Irish vat that annoys me and the currency not a great rate.

Great site for bike porn though

Anyone selling over €35K worth of product into Ireland has to register and charge Irish VAT (apologies for the incredibly boring accounting post in the cycling forum but just pointing out its not their fault)

dev100

DoMyBooks wrote: »

Anyone selling over €35K worth of product into Ireland has to register and charge Irish VAT (apologies for the incredibly boring accounting post in the cycling forum but just pointing out its not their fault)

I found that out a few months ago here on boards. It's an eu agreement or an Irish law? Very anti competitive I reckon . Next to come back will be import duties... Crc were apologetic when I queried the 23 % vat on Irish customers . I'm not paying Irish vat rate for goods I purchase outside of this state. I always ask the vat question when purchasing now.

Rant over

DoMyBooks

dev100 wrote: »

I found that out a few months ago here on boards. It's an eu agreement or an Irish law? Very anti competitive I reckon . Next to come back will be import duties... Crc were apologetic when I queried the 23 % vat on Irish customers . I'm not paying Irish vat rate for goods I purchase outside of this state. I always ask the vat question when purchasing now.

Rant over

The VAT system is linked right across the EU. Its the same if your distance selling from Ireland into the UK you have to register for UK VAT

Selling into Ireland you've to register if you sell over €35K, into the UK the threshold is much higher at £70k

I guess the logic is to stop all of the online retailers setting up shop in Luxemburg and selling out at 15% VAT

Personally I don't think bikes should be charged VAT at the standard rate. The
advantages to the state of people cycling are huge and the VAT rates should reflect that.

Adult cycle helmets being charged at 23% is a disgrace.