Bike advice.

Oxe

I need a flat bar aluminium road bike new or secondhand,don't need front suspension or disc brakes, in the €500 price range or less, for 12+ miles commuting/leisure/fitness. It would have to be geared for Kerry mountain roads as well as being fast on flat roads. I havent cycled since my youth and I'm in my 60s now. I know nothing about the tech specs of bikes. I'm 5' 11'' with 33''-34'' in seam. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Hmmzis

Specialized Sirrus, Giant Rapid are the first hybrids that pop in my mind.

If you know someone who is familiar with road bikes and their sizing you could try the second hand market for a drop bar bike.

First thing to do would be to try a few ones out in a shop. See what you feel comfortable on, try lifting the bikes to see how light/heavy they feel. Also try the brakes and shifters out to see what suits you better.

The fit and the way you feel on the bike is by far the most important bit the whole decision making process. Components can be swapped out as they wear out or you just get tired of them.

If commuting is on your mind then don't forget to check if the bike takes full mudguards.

Buzwaldo

I ride a drop bar bike myself, but last year persuaded the other half to let me get her a 'decent bike'. Got her a Giant Dash, which is a flat bar road bike / hybrid, and it has changed her attitude to cycling. Light, fast, massive improvement from her old cheap mountain bike, and with plenty of gears for hills. Think it cost a shade over 600, but I couldn't reccomend it highly enough. Only problem is she now has to fight our teenage son for access.
The male equivalent bike is a Giant Rapid, and they turn up from time to time on the second-hand sites also (adverts, done-deal). Best wishes with the search.

Oxe

Many thanks for your replies