Looking at road cycling - Help!

[dvl]

I'm looking at doing some road cycling next year, just to get me out and about more than anything else. I don't have a road bike, I know very little about them, and I really don't like the look of the modern ones which seem to be covered in masses of graphics. I therefore humbly ask for Pistonheads collective thoughts.

I have a budget of £300, maybe a bit more. I would like a steel frame of reasonable quality and a fairly modern drivetrain.
I've built up a couple of mountain bikes, so building a road bike would appeal to me, but would I be better off buying something complete? What would you do regarding frame? Are the lower Shimano (for example) components any good?
Finally, frame sizing issues. I'm roughly 5'9" with an inside leg of approx. 30", so I'm thinking that a frame between 50cm and maybe 54cm would be the area to be in.

Apologies that there's so many questions, but if you have any thoughts I'd be glad to hear them.
I’ll mention that I’ve also posted this same set of questions on the Retro Bike forum, just before someone suggests heading over there.;)

Darren

[rhinochopig]

For that money, you're probably best off looking second hand TBH.

Try the usual suspects - ebay, here, cycling fora.

[dvl]

Sorry, should have said, definately second hand. Just after peoples general thoughts on what I should be looking out for.

[nick s]

I'd be looking at a 2nd hand entry level Boardman for that money. I just sold my 2012 Boardman Race for £300! So much bike for the money!

[anonymous-user]

have a look at the Specialised Allez, Trek 1.2, Giant Defy, there will be loads for sale around £300. Also hunt for the less popular brands like Merida which are just as good but lack hte high street presence.

[joe58]

A classic road bike 70/ 80s etc? Build up the bike over Winter, buying old quality parts from ebay/ forums etc as you don't need it now. You could end up with something pretty nice.

Just don't buy the parts I have my eye on.

[4plusone]

I'm in a similar position and considering a Triban 3 from Decathalon. Its £299 and has had some really good reviews and feedback on a number of cycling forums.

I had a quick spin on one in a store the other day and the quality is not bad at all. Worth a look if you don't find something local secondhand?

Cheers

Richard

[BMWBen]

£300 is the threshold at which a bike starts to become useful as a bicycle and not just a toy. It will get you a new one that isn't too bad, but you really want to go second hand at that price. It's 1-2 year old £700 bike, which is a very good bike to get started on.

[Get Karter]

dvl said:

I'm looking at doing some road cycling next year, just to get me out and about more than anything else. I don't have a road bike, I know very little about them, and I really don't like the look of the modern ones which seem to be covered in masses of graphics. I therefore humbly ask for Pistonheads collective thoughts.

I have a budget of £300, maybe a bit more. I would like a steel frame of reasonable quality and a fairly modern drivetrain.
I've built up a couple of mountain bikes, so building a road bike would appeal to me, but would I be better off buying something complete? What would you do regarding frame? Are the lower Shimano (for example) components any good?
Finally, frame sizing issues. I'm roughly 5'9" with an inside leg of approx. 30", so I'm thinking that a frame between 50cm and maybe 54cm would be the area to be in.

Apologies that there's so many questions, but if you have any thoughts I'd be glad to hear them.
I’ll mention that I’ve also posted this same set of questions on the Retro Bike forum, just before someone suggests heading over there.;)

Darren

If it must be steel, then try to get one in Reynolds 531 tubing. (Higher end tubing like 653 or 753 or Columbus SLX will likely blow your budget!)

531 is okay. It's the winter training frame of its era for the club cyclist.

Low end Shimano is fine in my experience too - especially for use through winter where it's going to suffer.