Road bike 54 or 55cm

[projectgt]

I want to buy a road bike, second hand will be just fine as I intend to use it not polish it so the odd scuff here and there is no big deal for me. I'm also not fussed about having the 2019 model year* bike.

I have looked on eBay but not being an expert, I just don't know enough to start bidding on a bike.

The thinking being, spending say £800 on a second hand bike, up to say 2 years old will bag me something better than that money or a bit more would on a new one. My work is not currently signed up to the ride to work scheme for ref.

Anyone give any advice on what I should be looking at or any other outlets other than eBay?

The bike will be used for 10 to 50 mile cycles. I'll probably average 60 miles a week when the weather allows.

[Gizmoish]

£800 secondhand is a strong budget for someone who doesn't know what they're looking for... £500 on a Boardman Team should be enough and then get something nicer.

[JEA1K]

Spending £800 on something you know very little about 2nd hand isn't really the best idea. Imagine buying the shiniest carbon bike for £800 only for the frame to crack after 2 months ...

Put your trust in a shop, get an outgoing 2013 model on sale which may have been a £1000 bike previously and enjoy it. You'll get the right bike size for you and have a warranty.

ebay is only good for those who know what they're looking for.

[GaryGlitter]

Sounds like you might be better aiming lower, why not get something new at a lower price point for a start?

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-7-road-bike-blac...

[Dr Imran T]

you would want to consider top tube length more than seat tube length. It's a lot easier to adjust the seat height than rectify the problems associated with either a too long/short top tube.

Even if you didn't got to your local bike shop, you can do some research to frame size fitment etc.

Also post up some stats of your height and inside leg etc and I am sure some will be able to advise.

[projectgt]

I have owned from new a hybrid that cost just £400. I immediately regretted it as I should have spent at least double on something faster, lighter and with better quality components.

2000+ miles on and I really want to take a big step up. I would spend say £1800 on a new road bike but can see nearly new are worth a fraction of their original price, hence I thought with a bit of advice, I could pick something up that has a few scuffs but is pretty good.

I guess I'll splash out at the shop and then promptly get told on here what I have bought is worth a quarter of what I paid and then get offered a load of great bikes that people are willing to sell so that they can move onto the late 2021 model year bike with nuclear powered gear change!

Just wanted some advice, not to be told I'm not worth a £800 bike!

[uncinqsix]

I'd be inclined to agree with you there. If I had that much to spend, I'd be looking second hand too. There seem to be quite a few nearly-new bikes on the market that were bought by middle aged blokes who ended up hardly using them. You might need to spend a little bit of cash getting it checked and serviced (or do it yourself if you can), but the savings would still be worth it.

[b2hbm]

projectgt said:

(part quote)

Just wanted some advice, not to be told I'm not worth a £800 bike!

I don't think anyone is implying that, they're just pointing out that it is a good budget for s/h and not far from where you could buy a new bike which will be much more responsive than your hybrid.

You're right though, bike depreciation is massive and you could well drop on a bargain if you can find that "only ridden twice" bike. But you could just as easily end up with something that is high end but needs a serious money injection, and on balance I think you're more likely to end up with that sort of bike. People who throw £2k on a bike are usually serious riders and do the "new bike vs fix the old one" man-maths when the new frames come out.

So it makes sense to aim a bit lower and use the balance to renew the drivetrain/tyres/etc for example rather than blow the lot on a bike which might need 2 new tyres at £30-£40 or a new cassette & chain at another £70 or so. Although your hybrid was only £400 it was all-new so it's worked smoothly and in 2000 miles nothing will have worn out, hence you're used to everything being "right".

Back to the question - 54 or 55 ? As has been posted, the top tube length is more critical and if the bike was designed for road racing then it's more likely to have a longer top tube than one designed for touring, and yet either frame can be in your price range. Add in that some frames have sloping geometry and thus quote "effective top tube" dimensions, which basically means that a 52cm frame could have the top tube length equivalent to a conventional 54 or even a 56cm frame.

I'm 5'8" and feel comfortable on both 54 & 55cm effective t/tube dimensions. That covers frames sizes using conventional center to center measurements ranging from 50cm to 54cm so it is a bit of a minefield. Places like Ribble usually give detailed frame geometry together with a basic sizing chart as do most high end manufacturers on their websites, so that's probably a good place to start ?

Brian

edit to add - we're approaching the silly season when retailers discount 2013 stocks to make room for next season so it's worth checking out the usual online places. 30% or 40% discount isn't as good as s/h but it will be a new bike with no risk or further spending needed.

Edited by b2hbm on Thursday 10th October 08:23

[DBSV8]

projectgt said:

I want to buy a road bike, second hand will be just fine as I intend to use it not polish it so the odd scuff here and there is no big deal for me. I'm also not fussed about having the 2019 model year* bike.

I have looked on eBay but not being an expert, I just don't know enough to start bidding on a bike.

The thinking being, spending say £800 on a second hand bike, up to say 2 years old will bag me something better than that money or a bit more would on a new one. My work is not currently signed up to the ride to work scheme for ref.

Anyone give any advice on what I should be looking at or any other outlets other than eBay?

The bike will be used for 10 to 50 mile cycles. I'll probably average 60 miles a week when the weather allows.

I can reccommend you getting measured at a professional bike shop , then once you have your base measurements you can search for what you want and adjust accordingly ,
most people buy bikes that are too big for them , I made this mistake and suffered back issues .

I went to Dauphins on box hill in surrey i can fully reccommended this bike shop , they took all measurements including , forearm ,leg measurements , upper body etc.

on paper my Colnago looks too small for me, but fits perfectly 5'10 30" inside leg , tall upper body , bike = 50cm sloping geometry , with oversize handlebars , oversize stem.

very comfortable

[shielsy]

You will probably find that over the next month or so most of the online retailers will start heavily discounting the 2013 bikes.

Crc and Winstanleys seem to knock the most off so check them out.

[bakerstreet]

shielsy said:

You will probably find that over the next month or so most of the online retailers will start heavily discounting the 2013 bikes.

Crc and Winstanleys seem to knock the most off so check them out.

The OP will have to move quickly. He is looking at the medium sized bikes and they are the ones that sell out the quickest. The sales have been going on for a while now.

Paulscycles and Westbrooks have some good deals on at the moment.

[anonymous-user]

The 2014 Boardman carbon @999, reduced by 10% the first week of the coming months , will be far superior to most new or used bikes at that price point . Why risk used, a fair chance a used one is worn or faulty...

[mikees]

There are some fantastic deals at wiggle right now on cinelli and felt bikes at around 600 instead of 1000

Pro better than s/h (risk wise)

Mike