Looking for advice to find simple, cheap road bike

Beenlost123

A lot of the bikes on done deal people are looking for over 200 euro on used rusty bikes. I see new bikes on ebay for 250e that seem okay for my 40km round daily trip. I do not need anything fancy, just a simple road bike, no frills. Used is perfectly fine but people on Ireland seem to inflate prices. Willing to buy from abroad.

Beasty

Have a check through our own Cycling Adverts sub-forum, as well as Adverts.ie

Just to add, before anyone comes in here saying they have something they would like to sell you, that is not permitted in the main forum

Beenlost123

Beasty wrote: »

Have a check through our own Cycling Adverts sub-forum, as well as Adverts.ie

Just to add, before anyone comes in here saying they have something they would like to sell you, that is not permitted in the main forum

Don't mean to trample on rules. Didnt mean to encourage it either. Sorry. Thanks. Used bikes in Ireland can be quite expensive relative to this on ebay unless this bike is crap but it looks like a poor mans road bike

Beasty

A new road bike for that price?

Can't imagine it will last long and I suspect as soon as anything goes wrong getting parts may be something of a challenge

For the amount you seem to be talking about a low quality hybrid is probably the way to go

Beenlost123

Beasty wrote: »

A new road bike for that price?

Can't imagine it will last long and I suspect as soon as anything goes wrong getting parts may be something of a challenge

For the amount you seem to be talking about a low quality hybrid is probably the way to go

I have a quality hybrid already. May just use that on second thought after your advice. Thanks for setting me straight. I wonder could I fit thinner tyres on a hybrid. Is it as simple as just buying the rims and fitting it?

C3PO

A 40kms daily round trip is a decent commute - probably 45-50 minutes each way depending on bike/terrain/fitness! I would try to but a decent 2nd hand bike and frankly I think you'll struggle to get anything that will last for less than €250!

Beasty

You can probably get a half-decent road bike for €7-800. Spec won't be brilliant but you can repair/replace/upgrade relatively easily.

You can get a better one second hand.

Either of those options will give you something that with proper care and attention will last a good few years

Or you can go on the cheap, and end up replacing/upgrading in maybe a year or so

I know which route I would go, but TBH cost is not an issue to me

If you want to go 2nd hand, the benefit of our own sub-forum is most posters there have built up a positive reputation either within the main forum or Cycling Adverts itself. I do hear plenty of stories of crappy things on the likes of Donedeal and indeed Adverts.ie and you really need to do your due diligence if you are buying in places like that. You also need to be aware that some things that may appear to be great value for money either really are not, or maybe the subject of "suspect provenance" (ie stolen!)

irishrover99

Cheap and will do the job. \also a decent looking bike, for the price you are looking for

http://www.halfords.ie/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/carrera-zelos-road-bike-2015

Beenlost123

irishrover99 wrote: »

Cheap and will do the job. \also a decent looking bike, for the price you are looking for

http://www.halfords.ie/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/carrera-zelos-road-bike-2015

Very odd, I was just going to post this bike for consideration. (confirmation bias now )

Would this bike be okay to repair? I do not know how to tell if parts are easy to come by to repair. I am sure it must be easy enough these days with cheap mail and internet.

Beenlost123

Beasty wrote: »

You can probably get a half-decent road bike for €7-800. Spec won't be brilliant but you can repair/replace/upgrade relatively easily.

You can get a better one second hand.

Either of those options will give you something that with proper care and attention will last a good few years

Or you can go on the cheap, and end up replacing/upgrading in maybe a year or so

I know which route I would go, but TBH cost is not an issue to me

If you want to go 2nd hand, the benefit of our own sub-forum is most posters there have built up a positive reputation either within the main forum or Cycling Adverts itself. I do hear plenty of stories of crappy things on the likes of Donedeal and indeed Adverts.ie and you really need to do your due diligence if you are buying in places like that. You also need to be aware that some things that may appear to be great value for money either really are not, or maybe the subject of "suspect provenance" (ie stolen!)

I appreciate highly everything you have just said. You have set me on a more correct path for sure. I wish I could paypal you a pint (if you drink) I do not want to invest that sort of money in a bike I may only use for a few months or even a year. I have no clue how long this current job I am cycling too will last. I do hope to take up cycling too but I want to test if I enjoy it before making a larger investment. I would go the second hand route for value if I was making a larger investment. I may keep an eye out on here like you said for a bike. I cant thank you enough!!

irishrover99

Beenlost123 wrote: »

Very odd, I was just going to post this bike for consideration. (confirmation bias now )

Would this bike be okay to repair? I do not know how to tell if parts are easy to come by to repair. I am sure it must be easy enough these days with cheap mail and internet.

Yes easy enough to repair and you could source the parts online easily enough.

Bloggsie

Beenlost123 wrote: »

A lot of the bikes on done deal people are looking for over 200 euro on used rusty bikes. I see new bikes on ebay for 250e that seem okay for my 40km round daily trip. I do not need anything fancy, just a simple road bike, no frills. Used is perfectly fine but people on Ireland seem to inflate prices. Willing to buy from abroad.

have you considered the bike to work scheme? you get better bang for your buck.

novarapid

have a look at the Triban 3 or 5 from decathlon. good value bikes that will handle a 40k. Better than buying second hand wen you arent awear of potential problems when buying second hand.

What sort of hybrid do you have? can easily buy narrower tyres to make commute easier.

Beenlost123

novarapid wrote: »

have a look at the Triban 3 or 5 from decathlon. good value bikes that will handle a 40k. Better than buying second hand wen you arent awear of potential problems when buying second hand.

What sort of hybrid do you have? can easily buy narrower tyres to make commute easier.

Ill pm you an ad I was looking at for a triban5 250 pounds. Thanks for the tips for a total newbie.

Its a falcon from 2012. Its in good nick. Got it on BTW. Cheap but decent bike.

Pinch Flat

If you can get your hands on a B'Twin, you can't go far wrong.

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-500-road-bike-black-id_8331913.html

Available through Decathlon in Belfast - apparently they will deliver, but not done so myself - picked mine up in a brick and mortar store. I cycle a Btwin as my daily commuter - I've upgraded the wheels and probably covered 25,000km on it. No issues so far.

Edit - just saw novarapid's post

martyc5674

Keep your eye on adverts.ie
There are regularly enough the likes of Trek 1.1, 1.2 , 1.5 s for little more than your budget. These are great bikes that will last, i have one nearly 8 years and its still going strong.
A lot of these wont have even seen much use as people feel the need to "upgrade" or else they just dont get into the sport at all.

Marty.

Edit for example this one: (nothing to do with me)
http://www.adverts.ie/road-bikes/trek-alpha-1-1-racing-road-bike/9949778

A good sign it hasn't really been used in anger is if the reflectors are still on the wheels... (were too cool here to be leaving them on )

Beenlost123

Pinch Flat wrote: »

If you can get your hands on a B'Twin, you can't go far wrong.

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-500-road-bike-black-id_8331913.html

Available through Decathlon in Belfast - apparently they will deliver, but not done so myself - picked mine up in a brick and mortar store. I cycle a Btwin as my daily commuter - I've upgraded the wheels and probably covered 25,000km on it. No issues so far.

Edit - just saw novarapid's post

Think Ill go with this bike. Save the hassle of checking adverts daily. Now just to see if I can get on bike to work scheme and get some discount accessories.

Id like to thank everyone in this thread. youre an amazing sub on here. **tips hat**

martyc5674

Maybe you know but decathlon have an irish website aswell now.

http://www.decathlon.ie/triban-500-road-bike-black-white-orange-en-s136245.html

Beenlost123

martyc5674 wrote: »

Maybe you know but decathlon have an irish website aswell now.

http://www.decathlon.ie/triban-500-road-bike-black-white-orange-en-s136245.html

I didnt. Cheers. I see people suggesting to get carbon forks for more comfort. Are they available in my price range. Roads are meh around here.

martyc5674

Beenlost123 wrote: »

. Are they available in my price range..

Second hand they would be...new they wouldnt

Nekarsulm

https://www.donedeal.ie/bicycles-for-sale/klondike-road-bike/12221482

Worth a look if you are local.

Pinch Flat

martyc5674 wrote: »

Maybe you know but decathlon have an irish website aswell now.

http://www.decathlon.ie/triban-500-road-bike-black-white-orange-en-s136245.html

Never knew that, thanks.

novarapid

http://www.decathlon.ie/all-sports/cycle/bikes/road-bikes/triban-500-se-en-s13957.html

Carbon fork, great value bike for the money.

philstar

go onto donedeal or adverts.ie and type in Carrera TDF

Otis_taylor2

I wouldn't strongly recommend the Triban 500 from Decathlon, because of the endless creaking noise from the chain; front cassette and rear cassette. or one of these, which i havent been able to figure out exactly. I had bought one about two months. I first bought the wrong size, and then exchanged the first one i got for a bigger size. Their customer service is great, but the product itself i don't know how much.

I thought the complaint with the creaking noise was becasuse of a faulty one i got first, but its there even with the new one i got exchanged. Its a real pain having to listen to such creaking noise while riding, given that its a new bike.

So i wouldn't recommend the Triban 500, but perhaps the 500 SE may be different.

Also take a look at some of the ones mentioned in this thread http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=99479868

Pinch Flat

I have a triban 5 and no issues what so ever. The entire drive train is shimano sora which for €500 was unbelievable value.

The creaking noise sounds strange - the stock wellgo pedals on mine weren't up to much (I used recessed spd cleats for commuting / local spins to the shop etc) so I changed these.

Perhaps one of the sources of the creaking? I've also changed the bottom bracket on mine several times given that there's 25k km plus on the bike - I use a shimano ultegra one which ensures smooth running and longevity. Finally the headset might be worth checking - a loose of wrongly fitted one can creak as well.

Esroh

One thing you must remember re prices asked on Buy and Sell, Adverts is that a seller may ask what he wants but the bike is only worth what a buyer will give.
Irish people always have an asking and a selling
Most important thing you need to ask is.What will you take for it? And deal from there

Otis_taylor2

Thanks a lot, ill have a look through those suggestions.

Triban 500 is a very lower end one and hence poorer quality compared to the Triban 5 or any of the other Tribans. Gears are microshift and crankset by ounce. And there is no way to know which gear you are on, which is not great for a beginner. Even the chain keeps hitting the front derailleur regardless of any adjustment. I took it to my LBS and the guy had to bend the front derailleur to sort it out. So overall not great quality, but it does have some positives as well, such as the wheelset.

I think the equivalent of yours today would be the Triban 520 at €600.

Pinch Flat wrote: »

I have a triban 5 and no issues what so ever. The entire drive train is shimano sora which for €500 was unbelievable value.

The creaking noise sounds strange - the stock wellgo pedals on mine weren't up to much (I used recessed spd cleats for commuting / local spins to the shop etc) so I changed these.

Perhaps one of the sources of the creaking? I've also changed the bottom bracket on mine several times given that there's 25k km plus on the bike - I use a shimano ultegra one which ensures smooth running and longevity. Finally the headset might be worth checking - a loose of wrongly fitted one can cream as well.