Second hand sub £250 commuter road bike?
Discussion
I'm looking for some suggestions on what bike to purchase. So thought I'd come to the wise people of PH!
I'm in the process of selling my single speed and mountain bike - and I want to get a road bike with the money from selling them. It needs to be capable of a 13 mile each way commute a few times a week and also good to use in the city as I'm considering becoming a deliveroo cyclist (for my sins). Don't want anything too flash for that reason, but definitely want a road bike rather than a hybrid.
I've had a quick look round on gumtree, but not found much. I'm 6"3 so the choice isn't too great.
If anyone has any suggestions or advice it would be greatly appreciated! Thank you
I'm in the process of selling my single speed and mountain bike - and I want to get a road bike with the money from selling them. It needs to be capable of a 13 mile each way commute a few times a week and also good to use in the city as I'm considering becoming a deliveroo cyclist (for my sins). Don't want anything too flash for that reason, but definitely want a road bike rather than a hybrid.
I've had a quick look round on gumtree, but not found much. I'm 6"3 so the choice isn't too great.
If anyone has any suggestions or advice it would be greatly appreciated! Thank you
HenryBee said:
I'm looking for some suggestions on what bike to purchase. So thought I'd come to the wise people of PH!
I'm in the process of selling my single speed and mountain bike - and I want to get a road bike with the money from selling them. It needs to be capable of a 13 mile each way commute a few times a week and also good to use in the city as I'm considering becoming a deliveroo cyclist (for my sins). Don't want anything too flash for that reason, but definitely want a road bike rather than a hybrid.
I've had a quick look round on gumtree, but not found much. I'm 6"3 so the choice isn't too great.
If anyone has any suggestions or advice it would be greatly appreciated! Thank you
I bought a used specialized allez sport for £200 a couple of years ago, 2009 model I think and something like that might fit the bill. Usefully, for a road bike, it has pannier rack mounts which more recent frames don't. I bought another more expensive secondhand bike this weekend, but might well keep the old one as a winter bike or to commute on, it's a useful thing to have. Should be available in your size, I'm on a 56 and 6ft tall. The wiggle and/or Evans sites often have full spec and size guides going back years so if you find a popular make bike which might fit on gumtree you can check if it will roughly be the right fit.I'm in the process of selling my single speed and mountain bike - and I want to get a road bike with the money from selling them. It needs to be capable of a 13 mile each way commute a few times a week and also good to use in the city as I'm considering becoming a deliveroo cyclist (for my sins). Don't want anything too flash for that reason, but definitely want a road bike rather than a hybrid.
I've had a quick look round on gumtree, but not found much. I'm 6"3 so the choice isn't too great.
If anyone has any suggestions or advice it would be greatly appreciated! Thank you
Your height will reduce your options, unfortunately.
At 6'3" I would be looking for a 60cm+ road bike. Obviously there's more choice second hand in the smaller sizes.
Alu or steel, the size will be key i.e. Is it big enough.
Anything should fit the bill, I would be looking for guaranteed clearance for 622/28 tyres.
Rack eyelets obviously a bonus but you can get round that with P-clips.
Don't get hung up about 16/18/20 speeds, just a good range of gearing is what you're after. Plus even the cheapest Shimano groupset is transformed with a set of Jagwire Pro cables for £20. I've done 1000s of KM on old 8-speed Sora.
My commuter is built on a '94 steel hybrid frame I found abandoned in a hedge, it's since done over 10,000km with my fat arse on it and shows no sign of breaking. Rolls pretty well too.
At 6'3" I would be looking for a 60cm+ road bike. Obviously there's more choice second hand in the smaller sizes.
Alu or steel, the size will be key i.e. Is it big enough.
Anything should fit the bill, I would be looking for guaranteed clearance for 622/28 tyres.
Rack eyelets obviously a bonus but you can get round that with P-clips.
Don't get hung up about 16/18/20 speeds, just a good range of gearing is what you're after. Plus even the cheapest Shimano groupset is transformed with a set of Jagwire Pro cables for £20. I've done 1000s of KM on old 8-speed Sora.
My commuter is built on a '94 steel hybrid frame I found abandoned in a hedge, it's since done over 10,000km with my fat arse on it and shows no sign of breaking. Rolls pretty well too.
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