Cheapest road bike that's actually worth buying?

Seaneh

Right lads, I'm looking for finally go for it and buy a road bike.

I'm not willing to spend a ton as really it will just be for shortish - mid distance spins and not racing, I've been considering buying a Raleigh Pursuit directly from Raleigh.co.uk

it's €310ish and I know it's pretty much the bottom end but I'd imagine it's got to be better vale than the Viking etc pieces of crap that seem to be the same price range in local bike shops in Ireland?

I'd be willing to spend a little more for a better machine but not a whole lot.

I've be cycling flat bar road bikes/hybrids for a long time now and while I'm fine doing 50km spins on it I'd rather dropped bars for longer spins and hope to be knocking out 75-100km fairly regularly.


Also, sizing has been hard to figure out for me.

I am 5'9 but only have a 28inch inside leg, so what size would you lot recommend?


Am I better off just going to somewhere like Nigels Cycles in Galway and getting fitted properly for the extra money?

Mycroft H

I'd go second hand to be honest at that price.

godtabh

I've being doing the same research as yourself.

I cam across this:this

I would like to get a road bike for about a 20km daily commute as cheap as possible. I'd plan to use it once or twice a year for the audit race but nothing major.

How would this compare?

Twin-go

Go Second Hand and you should be able to get a very good bike for your money. Search on Donedeal.

BX 19 beat me to it.

godtabh

What should we be looking for with a budget of €300?

funkyjebus

Stay away from the raleigh. If you want to get into road biking, you'd really need something with STI shifters (a combined brake / gear lever), as appose to the downtube shifters on the raleigh.

The Barracuda has STI shifters, also have a look at the Carrera TDF in Haldfords, both are about €450.

If you cannot jump to that price point, then you'l have to consider second hand which is the way I'd go in your situation. Lots of bargins to be had in the second hand bike market.

seamus

Below €500 you should be looking second hand IMO. Although the bike you pick up will be used, it will have a better spec and ride more comfortably than a brand new bike at that price point.

The Pursuit would have a few things in its favour - proper road geometry and road wheels, giving you at least some form of road performance. At 12kg, it's also significantly lighter than an MTB or hybrid at that price.
The aluminium frame is also a good enough base to allow you to upgrade components as you go rather than having to buy a whole new bike in 12 months time if you want something better.

Not in its favour would be the relatively harsh ride of the steel fork and the wheels. The gearing setup is also odd - your shifters are on the flat part of the bar rather than near or integrated with the brakes. This means that you need to move your hands to the upper bar to change gears. Probably great for someone who's never used drop bars. Not so great when you've just hit a descent and you're in the wrong gear.
I would also be concerned about the longevity of the components and whether they'd be up to serious mileage.

If your heart is set on a brand new road bike and your budget is limited, then you could definitely do a whole lot worse. But like I say, at your budget I wouldn't go with a brand new bike.

Sizing is always tough. I'm a 31.5 inside leg and I ride a 54cm frame which is a tiny bit too small for me. My guess would be that 52cm is your size.

godtabh

i'd have no problem going second hand but as I haven't owned a bike in about 15 years I wouldn't even know where to start.

must start looking at done deal/adverts to see what I can pick up

Gallant_JJ

I was in your situation only last week. My problem with a new bike was that I would still have to get the gear which added up to quite a bit.

I bought a Specialized Allez, on Donedeal, it had only done 6km since new, an unwanted gift. Got trip computer, helmet, clipless pedals, spec shoes, bib, top, gloves, pump, bag and 4 tubes. Got completely set up for €550, which I reckon was a fairly decent deal. There is value out there.

Some duds out there too, went to view a Lapierre Audacio 200, which was apparently like new! The knacker had obviously robbed it and the bike was absolutely destroyed, he must have just dumped it in his back garden. Real pity.

El Vino

There is a giant defy on there which would be a great purchase if it fitted you
http://www.donedeal.co.uk/for-sale/bicycles/3575032

Seaneh

Oh yeah, I have no problem with going second hand at all.
I had a quick look on Adverts and people are looking for silly money for viking pieces of ****e and so on so kinda glossed over it pretty quickly.

I'll have a look on done deal.

Cheers for all the advice lads.


The other things that put me off the Raleigh besides the things you have all listed (which I have considered as well) was that it comes with 28c tyres.

I don't know that I'd be gone on 23c tyres as I'm a fairly big lad but I'd want 25c anyway, I have 28c tyres on my hybrid atm and while they are a big improvement on the 35c's that were on it, my old Lapierre RCR 100 had 25c tyres and that felt so much quicker.

Mycroft H

Seaneh wrote: »

I don't know that I'd be gone on 23c tyres as I'm a fairly big lad but I'd want 25c anyway, I have 28c tyres on my hybrid atm and while they are a big improvement on the 35c's that were on it, my old Lapierre RCR 100 had 25c tyres and that felt so much quicker.

I can lay money on in that there were other factors at play rather then the width of the tyre. A 2mm difference in tyre width is going to make far less performance gains then a lighter wheelset for example.

Seaneh

BX 19 wrote: »

I can lay money on in that there were other factors at play rather then the width of the tyre. A 2mm difference in tyre width is going to make far less performance gains then a lighter wheelset for example.

Well, the Lapierre was a lot lighter too, it was a much nicer bike all in all.

The current hybrid I have is just something I bought to get in and out of town on, I picked it up fairly cheap and didn't expect a whole lot from it.

Anyway, 28c tyres on the Raleigh still seem a little big for a road bike, no?

Seaneh

What about this Raleigh Airlite 100 for €492?
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/raleigh-airlite-100-2011/

Is this better value than say the bottom end Carrera TDF for €430 from Halfords?



Re: The Pursuit, the other thing that kinda drew me to it was the fact that it has more clearance so I could fit mudguards and panniers, which would mean it could be handy if I wanted to do some light touring too.

But as seamus said, steal fork and wheels wouldn't be very comfortable.

petethedrummer

Seaneh wrote: »

What about this Raleigh Airlite 100 for €492?
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/raleigh-airlite-100-2011/

Is this better value than say the bottom end Carrera TDF for €430 from Halfords?

The only size left is a 43. I'm not sure if that means its a tradtional 43 or if it takes into consideration a sloping top tube. Either way it would be small.

what height are you?

Seaneh

petethedrummer wrote: »

The only size left is a 43. I'm not sure if that means its a tradtional 43 or if it takes into consideration a sloping top tube. Either way it would be small.

what height are you?

I am 5'9, so 43 would be waaaay too small.

But I can buy the same bike direct from Raleigh for not much more.

rustynutz

If your not in a rush to buy wait until September when wiggle etc. Are getting rid of 2012 stock, I picked up a nice Felt f95 for just over 500 euro delivered last year, they were over 800 in the shops here at the time

paulgalway

Seaneh wrote: »

I have 28c tyres on my hybrid atm and while they are a big improvement on the 35c's that were on it.

Quick question...

Did you have to change the rims or just the tyres?

Thanks.

OEMBS

As above 2nd hand will better suit ya. Ya get what you pay for..;)

Seaneh

paulgalway wrote: »

Quick question...

Did you have to change the rims or just the tyres?

Thanks.

Well I was lucky in that 28c tyres fitted on the rims that came with the bike.

I'd say 28c were the smallest that would have fit.

smacl

Was browsing for something else entirely, and came across this Ventura Protour Sora Compact Road Bike 2011 for €367 and Ventura Strada Road Bike 2011 for €242 (10kgs). Know nothing about either, but could be worth a punt.

FWIW, I went 2nd hand myself and am very happy with the outcome. Spent a fair bit on upgrades over the year mind you, but then I enjoy the tinkering aspect as well.

godtabh

When people are saying going second hand what about Bike2Work?

Again I wouldnt want to spend the max €1000 but if you could get a new bike for say €500 tax free you would be doing well to match that second hand. Would you?

Lumen

godtabh wrote: »

When people are saying going second hand what about Bike2Work?

It might be assumed that anyone who wasn't able to spend more than 300 quid on a bike would be on a lower rate of tax or unemployed, in which case the tax savings will be lower or not available at all.

godtabh

Lumen wrote: »

It might be assumed that anyone who wasn't able to spend more than 300 quid on a bike would be on a lower rate of tax or unemployed, in which case the tax savings will be lower or not available at all.

I'm on the higher rate of tax

Lumen

godtabh wrote: »

I'm on the higher rate of tax

Don't be such a cheapskate then. :pac:

Seriously, if you are doing 5000km a year on it and depending on it to deliver you to work on time every day, I wouldn't be cutting too many corners for the sake of a hundred quid or so. It'll just annoy the hell out of you.

smacl

godtabh wrote: »

When people are saying going second hand what about Bike2Work?

I built my office within about 20 metres from the house, so I'm not entirely sure I'd qualify for b2w. I've enjoyed the second hand thing as it has given me a bike I don't feel too precious about, and can muck about with various upgrades. It's now refined to very close to what I want in terms of comfort, gearing, etc... though the frame is a bit on the small side for me. I'm also starting to know one end of a bike from the other, and what I want out of a bike.

If you're happy enough with a stock configuration, a new bike will provide better long term value. Canyon seems pretty popular here. If you want to tweak the configuration a bit, have a look at the ribble bike builder. If you've no clue about road bikes, go to your local bike shop at a quiet time and try a few out. Spending a few extra bob locally to buy a slightly lower spec bike that really suits you might actually be a better economy than splashing out on the shiny high spec yoke on the internet that looks lovely parked up but you don't really find that comfortable.

kuro_man

one option I was thinking about for my wife was to get the b'twin triban 3 (decathalon.co.uk) for about €400, and add €150 - €200 to upgrade wheels/tyres.

CB93

Also thinking of a bike in the same price range(€500 max) for a girl (height 5ft), would a womens specific be better or will the ones mentioned suit?

Womens specific seem to be dearer!!

Lumen

CB93 wrote: »

Also thinking of a bike in the same price range(€500 max) for a girl (height 5ft), would a womens specific be better or will the ones mentioned suit?

Womens specific seem to be dearer!!

Women-specific bikes tend to just have a different saddle and paintjob, and be available in smaller sizes.

The difficulty is finding a bike that will fit a 5ft person, irrespective of gender. Road bikes tend to suffer from a lot of toe overlap in the smallest sizes.

Seaneh

I managed to get sorted.

Buying an aluminium framed Giant OCR with a retrofitted carbon fork from a friend who just upgraded to a schamncy new beast.

Just need to re-cable it and she will be good to go!

They are throwing in two sets of pedals one with toe clips and one pair of clip ins and a pair of shoes.

So all I need is a helmet and I am good to go!

Darkglasses

I'd go straight to the Clip-in pedals Seaneh (known as 'Clipless' pedals). Infinitely more comfortable than the toe-clips!

Seaneh

That's the plan, just taking the toe clips as back up incase I really can't get used to the clip less.

Had a little flddle around with them today and thought they were grand if a bit fiddly.

godtabh

Seaneh wrote: »

I managed to get sorted.

Buying an aluminium framed Giant OCR with a retrofitted carbon fork from a friend who just upgraded to a schamncy new beast.

Just need to re-cable it and she will be good to go!

They are throwing in two sets of pedals one with toe clips and one pair of clip ins and a pair of shoes.

So all I need is a helmet and I am good to go!

You lucked out. Only thing I have is a helmet

godtabh

What do people think of this?

http://www.fitzcycles.ie/products.php?product=BH-Zaphire-6.7-%252d-Aluminium-Road-Bike-%252d-9.8kg-

Qualitymark

What is all this nonsense? I cycled out the first time with the Cyclists' Touring Club years ago on a trip led by a cyclist on a 1920s Claud Butler with Marsh Bend handlebars; it was his 70th birthday.
Another friend, now in his 90s, cycled an Elswick Ludlow Uppy from the 1940s until about 10 years ago, when his son took it over.
Both of these were later stolen, by lowlifes, and presumably bought by lowerlifes.
You don't have to go for a glossy new bike. Find one that's light and well built, and that you feel really comfortable cycling.

smacl

godtabh wrote: »

What do people think of this?

http://www.fitzcycles.ie/products.php?product=BH-Zaphire-6.7-%252d-Aluminium-Road-Bike-%252d-9.8kg-

Personally, I'd scrape the extra €200 for the tiagra version, as I understand the Sora & 2300 controls make gear changing in the drops difficult, which would be a major negative for me. If you're happy with the controls it seems reasonable enough for the money.

At €700 you're in that muddy area where there's compromises on most new bikes, but you're looking at a pretty good 2nd hand. I found the first year of regular cycling expensive beyond the bike as well; shoes / pedals / shorts / jerseys / pumps / spare tubes / gloves and god knows what else and that's before hitting the many minor desirable upgrades (saddle, nicer tyres etc...). If you make your shopping list of all you need, and are buying a new bike, most local shops will throw a lot of this stuff in, which can make them way more competitive.

Tonyandthewhale

Qualitymark wrote: »

What is all this nonsense? I cycled out the first time with the Cyclists' Touring Club years ago on a trip led by a cyclist on a 1920s Claud Butler with Marsh Bend handlebars; it was his 70th birthday.
Another friend, now in his 90s, cycled an Elswick Ludlow Uppy from the 1940s until about 10 years ago, when his son took it over.
Both of these were later stolen, by lowlifes, and presumably bought by lowerlifes.
You don't have to go for a glossy new bike. Find one that's light and well built, and that you feel really comfortable cycling.

Yeah, and I'm guessing (adjusting for inflation) neither of those bikes were worth less than 300euro new.
What point are you trying to make? Many of the posters on this thread advised the OP on a second hand bike and if going for something first hand to spend just a little more to get something light and well built. How is any of that nonsense advice?

smacl

Qualitymark wrote: »

You don't have to go for a glossy new bike. Find one that's light and well built, and that you feel really comfortable cycling.

Well, you could consider an older bike, such as this now at €110, and if you could get on with it, it's certainly inexpensive. Downside is that any spares will either be unavailable or cost you an arm and a leg, which makes servicing awkward. Personally, I wouldn't fancy down bar shifters and deep drops, and wouldn't feel comfortable on this set-up.

You also need to qualify 'light' and 'well built'. For a new drop bar road bike bought retail in Ireland, IMO you're talking min €800+ for this. Please link a few options if you know any different.

Qualitymark

smacl wrote: »

Personally, I wouldn't fancy down bar shifters and deep drops, and wouldn't feel comfortable on this set-up.

What's a down bar shifter? Gear shifter? (I've just discovered handlebar grip gear shift, and it's a revelation.)

smacl

Qualitymark wrote: »

What's a down bar shifter? Gear shifter? (I've just discovered handlebar grip gear shift, and it's a revelation.)

Most modern road bikes use integrated gear levers and brake shifters, such as Shimano STI. This is a significant contributor to cost, over the shifters you'd see on flat bars. Older drop bar racers had the gear shifting levers on the down tube, such as these;



Cheaper to make, but more difficult to use if you're not used to them. Integrated brakes and shifters allow quick and easy shifting at pretty much any time, from either the hoods or drops. Grip shifters are ok (though not great) on a flat bar bike, I've found they can abrade the hands a bit by times. On a drop bar, they'd restrict you to only being able to change gears with your hands on the top of the bars, not good. My daughters bike has grip shifting, which is fine on the rear mech, but difficult to use on the front mech where you really need a bit of extra pull that a lever will provide.

Qualitymark

Oh, yes, those. Never been able to use them - or to do the recommended peek-under-elbow to look behind, instead of the turn-around-and-swerve-wildly method.