[z_matt]

Hi all,

After years of riding mountain bikes I have just sold my last bike and fancy a change to a road bike as I very rarely now (if ever) venture off road.

I’m on a pretty strict budget of £200 (I know £400-500+ would be much better as a minimum)

So far I have found 3 bikes within my budget and would like opinions from people who have much better knowledge than I do. Here they are:

DBR Pursuit 21 Inch Bike by Raleigh
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3176900.htm

Muddyfox Pace Road Bike Mens
http://www.sportsdirect.com/muddyfox-pace-road-bike-mens-933070

Viking Scirocco Alloy 14-Speed 2013
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Viking-Scirocco-Alloy-14-Speed-2013-Mens-Lightweight-Road-Bike-/291047957504?pt=UK_Bikes_GL&var=&hash=item43c3cf6400

If you have any other suggestions please post a link 🙂
The main requirements I have are:
– Lighter the better
– I am 5ft9 so frame size 54 or 56 (I think)
– Not Red in colour!
– Carbon front struts (although unlikely for my budget I think)

Thanks, Matt

Topic

[cyclist67]

Btw, these are all bikes to
Btw, these are all bikes to get you started, but there’s little to stop you from up-speccing from time to time B-)

[cyclist67]

Some really useful comments
Some really useful comments and observations on here to mull over.
A few of the guys at work have the TdF and have been really happy with it, after a year’s w&t.
One guy has a Zelos but, as the smallest rear cog has 14 teeth, he struggles a bit to keep up with 12T bikes.
Despite that niggle, however, he’s pleased with his purchase, as the steel fork rides well over Plymouth’s potholed and rutty roads.
I’m considering buying a Zelos for £269 (even less, if can find a discount code) to do the Around Dartmoor and the Lands End & Back routes, soon.

[Richyh]

Hi, I have read this with
Hi, I have read this with much interest I’m looking to get my son a bike for his 10th birthday he’s about 5’2″ we just been on holiday and a 51cm Planet X was too big for him

I was thinking either the

Carerra Zelos Ladies 43cm @£250

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-3-red-road-bike-id_8274036.html 45 or 48cm @£250

(Sounds like good value but My worry with the Triban is having 650mm wheels and spares being expensive)

http://www.acycles.co.uk/route-66-rl01-road-bike-white-3397.html 47cm @£309

Or possibly the

Mekk Pinerolo AL ZR (47cm) or

http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/product/61078/Raleigh_Revenio_1_2013_Bike

that I have seen for £400 but

Maybe even the Felt z95 but that really is getting expensive for a 10 year old

Any thoughts on size, suppliers and the bikes most welcome

[robertoegg]

Shanefutcher wrote:I have a

Shanefutcher wrote:

I have a 2012 specialized allez with new wheels,new shimano claris groupset.its just been totally serviced and cost £400 to be done.i’d accept £300 for it

That’s a bargain… I’m commuting on my brother’s Allez atm whilst I fit a new groupset to the Triban. I love it!

[matthewn5]

+1 for the second hand on
+1 for the second hand on ebay recommendation.

I got a lovely bike for my mate off ebay, a BH with carbon forks and seatstays, and full 105 groupset (except cranks), for £250. Took a few weeks though!

[z_matt]

Crosshouses wrote:If you’re

Crosshouses wrote:

If you’re not going to race or be desperate to save a few grammes then MTB pedals/shoes are the way to go.

The roadies may sneer at you but at least you’ll have shoes you can walk in and you’ll be able to ride your bike in trainers or ordinary shoes if need be.

Also you can get used to being clipped in by wearing 1 trainer and 1 cleated shoe, that way you’ll have 1 foot free to put down in an emergency. This tip worked for me.

I think this may be the way to go for now as I’ve already stretched over my initial £200 budget and still need to get a helmet. Just need to decide now whether to go for cheap MTB pedals at £5-10 or the half flat, half clip Shimano pedals mentioned earlier for around £30

[Kapelmuur]

If you’re not going to race
If you’re not going to race or be desperate to save a few grammes then MTB pedals/shoes are the way to go.

The roadies may sneer at you but at least you’ll have shoes you can walk in and you’ll be able to ride your bike in trainers or ordinary shoes if need be.

Also you can get used to being clipped in by wearing 1 trainer and 1 cleated shoe, that way you’ll have 1 foot free to put down in an emergency. This tip worked for me.

[Super Domestique]

I’ve got some dhb shoes (SPD
I’ve got some dhb shoes (SPD SL) version which I use in winter / bad weather.

I like them a lot.

[VeloPeo]

z_matt wrote:
They do look

z_matt wrote:

They do look good value. Got any example shoes I’d need to go with them? I really don’t have a clue what I’m looking at just yet. I have already had visions of falling off just thinking about it

Not really looked at MTB compatible shoes for 4 or 5 years. Use Speedplay pedals now but started on SPD with M520 pedals. The DHB shoes on Wiggle are meant to be pretty good entry level

I would suggest though that clipless pedals and shows will cost you £70-80 minimum and that you’d be better off adding that to your bike budget if you can

[z_matt]

VeloPeo wrote:z_matt

VeloPeo wrote:

z_matt wrote:

divingrob wrote:

What ever bike you get you’ll start looking for the next one pretty soon.

What makes you say that?

In 12 months time you will revisit that comment and chortle, understandingly.

Of and don’t be afraid of clipless pedals. Shimano M520s are dirt cheap, bullet proof and easy to maintain.

You will fall off at lights when forgetting that you’re clipped in in the beginning. It’s a mistake you make once. Maybe twice. ;)

They do look good value. Got any example shoes I’d need to go with them? I really don’t have a clue what I’m looking at just yet. I have already had visions of falling off just thinking about it

[VeloPeo]

z_matt wrote:divingrob

z_matt wrote:

divingrob wrote:

What ever bike you get you’ll start looking for the next one pretty soon.

What makes you say that?

In 12 months time you will revisit that comment and chortle, understandingly.

Of and don’t be afraid of clipless pedals. Shimano M520s are dirt cheap, bullet proof and easy to maintain.

You will fall off at lights when forgetting that you’re clipped in in the beginning. It’s a mistake you make once. Maybe twice. 😉

[jason.timothy.jones]

z_matt wrote:
What makes you

z_matt wrote:

What makes you say that?

its in the rulez http://www.velominati.com/the-rules/#12

[z_matt]

divingrob wrote:What ever

divingrob wrote:

What ever bike you get you’ll start looking for the next one pretty soon.

What makes you say that?

Those pedals looks perfect, thanks! Will be good for the initial transition when I move over to clip in cycling shoes too.

[divingrob]

What ever bike you get you’ll
What ever bike you get you’ll start looking for the next one pretty soon.

[Super Domestique]

I know a few riders who were
I know a few riders who were nervous of clips that have bought the Shimano touring pedals so flat one side but have a clip the other and then can get used to SPD in time.

Something like these:

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/shimano/oe-a530-touring-pedals-ec050912?country=GB&currency=GBP&utm_content=mkwid__pcrid_31998555896_kword__match__plid_&gclid=CP2orKSBjbwCFfMPtAod_BwASQ

Admittedly most have then gone on to SPD SL etc

[Author]

Replies