First time to buy a road bike - 2nd hand??

evie08

Hi Folks,

Any advice or help you can give me I would really appreciate it. I have been riding a hybrid for the past 4 years and have decided to move on to a road bike.

I thought buying a buggy for my baby was complicated, but this is definitely worse!!!! Between different makes, sizes, prices, ahhhh help!

I have gone to three different bike shops to ask questions about size, price, etc.and basciallly the 3 shops gave me different sizes and starting from €650 onwards I'm 5'6 female and the size has ranged from 47 to 54!

My budget is max €600, I have already done the BTW scheme so that is out. I suppose my question is, am I better going for a 2nd hand bike or should I try for go for the €650 bike. If I go for 2nd hand, what is the best make to go for and of course size!

Thanks in advance for any help you can give me.

Evie

CatFromHue

When I was buying or selling a bike second hand I just asked/listed the size and then asked for the height of the seller or listed my height.

I'm 5'11 so someone who's 5'5 or 6'4 prob isn't going to want the same bike as me for size reasons.

Buzwaldo

Definitely better value to be got, and plenty of bikes out there second hand when the BTW is gone.
The 650-750 new bike will be 350-450 second hand, and the 1100-1400 new will be 650-700 second hand, many lightly used.
Also buying second hand means you can go for a good spin on the bike to try out, which may not be the case with shiny new shop bike.
If you stick with the reputable large brands, giant, trek, specialized etc, will be easier to sell again. But there is good value in others also.
Probably small / 52 cm, but many can be adjusted with shorter stem.
Guessing from your post / username that you are of the fairer gender (hope i didn't get that wrong) - if so, no need to look for a female specific bike. Any bike is ok as long as size is right.
There is a small giant defy on the cycling adverts section of boards - no connection whatsoever- which might be a good starting point, but if you are patient, plenty of lightly used bikes do come up in various second hand sites.
Best wishes with hunt.

Brian?

http://adverts.ie/4979387

You could do a lot worse.

evie08

Thanks a mill for your replies, it's great to read your advice, I'll have a look at the 2nd hand bikes, now I know the makes, etc

Buzwaldo

evie08 wrote: »

Thanks a mill for your replies, it's great to read your advice, I'll have a look at the 2nd hand bikes, now I know the makes, etc

If you see something specific second-hand, throw up a link here and I'm sure you'll get plenty of advice on it (from better qualified folk than me)

evie08

http://touch.adverts.ie/ladies-bikes/trek-ladies-racer-bike-for-sale/5180520

Just saw this on adverts, what do you think