Cheap road bike!

[l354uge]

All, looking for a cheap road bike for my 8 mile ride to work. Currently takes about 38 mins on my hardtail with knobby tyres.

I work flexitime so the earlier I can start work the earlier I can finish, so I would like to cut this down! I know i could get slicks for my moutainbike but I think id prefer to get a roadbike over compromising my weekend hooner.

Problem is.....I don't have much money at the moment! so I'd like to budget £300, I don't really mind if its new or used as long as its reliable!

Currently on my list is This
, this , this and this

I know you guys are used to discussing more expensive stuff, but some advice would be much appreciated, I've never had a road bike before.

[l354uge]

I'd like to think I know a fair bit about mountain bikes, I just don't want to be faffing about with it on my commute to work else it will give me an excuse to hop in the car!

Like yours (think I've found it), most decent bikes I see on ebay are either too far away or only £50 off their RRP.

My mountain bike is a "premium" halfords number I bought 2nd hand, so I understand there are cheaper bearings and parts that go bad. (the pedals failed after 200 miles! the pedals I swapped over from my old 2002 Raleigh have no issues!)

I'll be sure to take a gander at the b'twin next time in Cov, I'm an odd size so need to ensure it wont shag my lower back!

[l354uge]

Only used ones near me are this and this

[l354uge]

Paraicj said:

Pinkbike is more MTB-centric but does have some solid 2nd hand road bikes for sale - something like https://www.pinkbike.com/buysell/1805241/ looks pretty ok. As long as you have some knowledge of gears/brakes/maintainance, 2nd hand is going to get you a better bike. It can take patience though!

Thanks for that, right location and bike, but wrong frame size! dammit!

is this Fuji any good?

Edited by l354uge on Thursday 20th July 09:31

[l354uge]

Looking at This tomorrow, it needs some brake adjustment apparently and its not a great spec, but it should get me going and if its naff I can sell it on for £100..

[l354uge]

I use flats on my MTB but I'm willing to give clipped a go!

[l354uge]

Anndddd.... Its sold.

[l354uge]

I appear to have bought this Italian stallion..

[l354uge]

Probably abit overkill for my commute, but the geartrain and brakes should be much higher quality than anything new for that price!

[l354uge]

It is now mine! Bubbling on the paint but it rides well, no creaks under load so bb etc should be okay. Never used a road bike before, very different but much easier to pick up speed!

Thanks for your advice guys, let's see if I am in full lyrca and one of those strange hats in 6 months!

[l354uge]

It is amazing how much bike you can get for your money from places like halfords etc!

Whilst this thread is alive, which shoes do i but for these pedals? spd sl or spd? they seem to be a mix of both...

[l354uge]

Barchettaman said:

Can you get a better photo showing the cleat interface?

They look like A520 pedals to my (untrained) eye, so SPS mountain-bike style recessed cleats, but honestly you couldn't have taken a less helpful photo! Not a criticism just an observation....

If they are MTB style pedals, you can get a road-style shoe for the recessed cleat.

Cheers

Thanks for that, pic was from ebay ad so not great. Found the spec tonight before my first ride out and they're spd, so just ordered http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/302387424951" Target="_blank" rel="nofollow">these puppies