noob looking for a road bike on a tight budget - suggestions?

Tea_Bag

hi guys

I'm on a tight budget, ideally don't want to spend more than €450 unless it's really worth the extra.

5'11" and around 95kg if that makes a difference?

I'd appreciate any advice, even just brands to look out for. thanks so much!

Mycroft H

Second hand!

Colonialboy

Second hand is an option you should explore. Lost of bikes on offer
And the bike to work scheme is an avenue to explore, if you dont have it in work maybe someone you know has it in their job.

Its very hard to recommend a brand as often two shops might have built the bike with different components, different wheels, or groupset.
So you dont just compare the frame maker you have to compare the bits and bobs.

I dont think any of the high street shops are selling 'dud' frames these days, they all represent good manufactures and solid construction the decision is what deal and bits are on the frame.

Its easier if you did some of the leg work yourself and checked in your local shops what models they have and the components and pricing.
Or scout online and pick a few that will suit your budget.

The makes you come across probably already been talked off here, or else the experts in this forum will advise.

For 450 I think you can get a decent bike , but remember for 450 on the b2w scheme you potentialy get a bike worth 800 plus

Tea_Bag

thanks for the replies.

what is the criteria for BTW scheme?

I'm a Student and working part time for a few years.

kingoffifa

second hand all the way.

bad news is you are looking for a 56 or a 58 cm frame size - more likely to be 56 cm - which tends to be popular as it covers the common heights of 5'10 to 6'2.

at 450 if you are lucky you should be able to find a 56 or 58 with Shimano Tiagra gears. It would be a few years old, but still be perfectly usable.

Aim for Tiagra at least as they will have shifters that can be controlled from the drops.

you may find cheaper - but at the 450 -550 range you should get something fairly quickly.

finally save your bike to work scheme for your next bike - and blow the lot on the bike and not helmets and gear. better resell value for an expensive bike than a cheap bike

spokesman

Tea_Bag wrote: »

hi guys

I'm on a tight budget, ideally don't want to spend more than €450 unless it's really worth the extra.

5'11" and around 95kg if that makes a difference?

I'd appreciate any advice, even just brands to look out for. thanks so much!

This is just a bit above your budget but would be worth the extra few bob.

Has a full Tiagra Group set

http://www.rutlandcycling.com/43867/...Bike-Sale.html

Just needs a decent set of wheels. Only in size 59 though.

All for 491 euro plus about 45 euro for postage.

merc230ce

Tea_Bag wrote: »

hi guys

I'm on a tight budget, ideally don't want to spend more than €450 unless it's really worth the extra

I'm a big fan of Decathlon.co.uk's B'Twin Triban 3. It's a bloody great bike for the money IMO and well within your budget. I bought one for my son and have been kinda jealous ever since ;-)

Secondhand also an option, but be aware it is NOT easy - it's a seller's market believe it or not. Quite hard to find a bike in your size and then when you do it's either asking crazy money or it's snapped up within hours. I bought an '08 Trek 1.2 last year for €325 (about €900 new) and reckon I did pretty well at that, but it took about 6 weeks of trawling small ads daily to find it.

Fully agree with previous poster suggesting you keep your Cycle To Work scheme until the bug has well and truly bitten!

Robxxx7

Agree regarding the Triban3 ... very nice bike for the money and well within your budget. I have one myself and the only upgrade you may want to make to it over time are the wheels ... but apart from that a very solid performer.
I don't believe Decathlon deliver anymore to Ireland so the closest store is in Belfast

Seaneh

You'd be hard pressed beat this for spec for the price.

http://www.adverts.ie/bikes/lapierre-tech-3/2752040

It's about your size I reckon.