Getting back into road cycling

[5potTurbo]

Morning all,

I've been in lurker in this section of the forum for some time, and, having been a half decent time trials cyclist in my 'yoof' (14-20), and turning 44 at the end of next week, I've decided to become a MAMIL.

Now, I want to be different to all the other 'ATGNI' cyclists in Luxembourg, where weekend MAMILs prevail, but where it's not uncommon for people to visit shops like A-Sport (the Schlecks do their advertising) and spend €6-10K on an off the shelf bike. I don't have that kind of money.

My eldest brother's taken up road cycling for a beginner at the age of 50, but spent a wedge of cash in the U.S on a De Rosa carbon bike, but I'm still quicker than him over 25miles.

My limit's absolutely £1,000 (or ~€1,250) and the bikes I can get locally aren't really up to much at that price bracket - the shops only wanting to sell me something >€3K, when I've told them my budget. I hate dealing with places like that.

I've been hunting around online, and reading reviews, and now, for reasons unknown, I've set my heart on this, a HOY Sa Calobra 003:



It doesn't mean I have to bin the bike into hay bales at the first opportunity, right?

Does anyone have any thoughts/comments or other recommendations in this price bracket? I saw the other thread on the carbon/Ultegra 'must have', but I'm not so fussed on having a carbon bike, tbh.

I'm in London tomorrow, so will visit the Evans branch in Canary Wharf for more advice, but would appreciate input from other cyclists, too, please.

Thanks!

Russell

[scherzkeks]

Yes, go used. In that price bracket you could easily buy a fairly high-end used Italian (or whatever you like) frame and a new Campy gruppo. After 6 months of riding, you wouldn't be able to tell the difference betwen a new and used model anyways.

[tobinen]

I'd definitely go used - you'd pick up something decent only a few years old with plenty of life left in it