Bikes Bikes Bikes

[JSind11]

Morning all, 

 

Just started getting into road cycling (thanks JayzTwoCents) and I'm now looking to get my first road style bike. 

 

Haven't got a clue what's good for me anything ( I know I need to get sized up first) but i have a budget of an absolute max of £300, I know this doesn't seem like much for a road bike but to put it simply, I don't have the money.

 

I would prefer new, but I am not going to turn down a good second hand bike. 

 

Anyone here a keen cyclist that could give me some good tips?

 

Thanks in advance

[melias24]

Get an App called Strava and run it whilst you cycle....It keeps track of your route how much energy you use/put out and top speed minimum speed average speed etc, it's rather cool, all you need is a good GPS single whilst you ride and you are ready to go. Good luck finding a bike! 

[TeeTruss]

Awesome! Welcome to the cycling world. Cycling has been my life for the past 11years also my job. Being across seas you have a lot more choose from.(past 11years, I have only bought two bikes new) you really can find the BEST deals 2nd hand, People buy a lot of bikes thinking they are gonna ride them, and they never do. So their lose is your gain. I would check Local sale sites, If you are in no rush keep looking, every day a few times a day, you can walk away with a  lot of bike spending very little. I wish the best of luck to you! Also save up a little more, maybe like £400-£450... Oh also where are you in the UK?

 

About the Strava App, I like it.... But it will drain your phone battery. Any high-end Garmin will tell you what you want to know.( Garmin are pricy) 

 

Edit: If you are looking at any used bike that has Carbon, use the Quarter test, tap on the Carbon with a Quarter you will hear the thunk, if the sounds changes look for cracks, most likely will be.

 

Also does this budget you have, does that include Helmet(Must have) prices, Shoes, pedals, water bottles, tubes, tools, riding Kit, pump, I assume you are in the UK you will want a light windbreaker/rain jacket that can be balled up. I would say almost all of this is needed. a lot of stuff cost money that can add up, but in the long run it is well worth it. Cheap stuff is cheap, remember you get what you pay for.... On a bike ride you do not want anything to fail, Safety first, and you do not want to be stuck int he middle of no mans land with a dead cell phone(due to Strava)

[ZeferiniX]

Awesome! Welcome to the cycling world. Cycling has been my life for the past 11years also my job. Being across seas you have a lot more choose from.(past 11years, I have only bought two bikes new) you really can find the BEST deals 2nd hand, People buy a lot of bikes thinking they are gonna ride them, and they never do. So their lose is your gain. I would check Local sale sites, If you are in no rush keep looking, every day a few times a day, you can walk away with a  lot of bike spending very little. I wish the best of luck to you! 

 

About the Strava App, I like it.... But it will drain your phone battery. Any end Garmin will tell you what you want to know.( Garmin are pricy) 

 

Any tips you can give for MTB? I've always wanted a road bike but I only have my MTB here w/ entry-level specs decent bikes are pricey D:

 

This was assembled w/ these parts

Shimano MT15 wheelset

Shimano Alivio 2015 groupset

Mosso 2608TB Frame

 

What should I avoid because of these parts? or any tips you can give? still a newbie I'm afraid of breaking these parts as I weigh 200ish lbs

[dadasmithywinkle]

Morning all, 

 

Just started getting into road cycling (thanks JayzTwoCents) and I'm now looking to get my first road style bike. 

 

Haven't got a clue what's good for me anything ( I know I need to get sized up first) but i have a budget of an absolute max of £300, I know this doesn't seem like much for a road bike but to put it simply, I don't have the money.

 

I would prefer new, but I am not going to turn down a good second hand bike. 

 

Anyone here a keen cyclist that could give me some good tips?

 

Thanks in advance

I do a 50 mile ride about once a week along the 101. My bike is a Giant 29'er from 2012 (the high-end hard tail). I love it but know nothing about road bikes. Best of luck!

[TeeTruss]

Any tips you can give for MTB? I've always wanted a road bike but I only have my MTB here w/ entry-level specs decent bikes are pricey D:

 

This was assembled w/ these parts

Shimano MT15 wheelset

Shimano Alivio 2015 groupset

Mosso 2608TB Frame

 

What should I avoid because of these parts? or any tips you can give? still a newbie I'm afraid of breaking these parts as I weigh 200ish lbs

Man 200LBS is nothing to be worried about, you will never break bike parts do to weight. well at least on this kind of lvl you won't. Only time I have broken parts is due to getting hit by a cars, riding my bike wasted, working,..... actually a Carbon fork split in half due to speed+hitting something at the right angle... but yeah you shouldn't break anything, Only thing I would worry about is cheap asian rebranded frames, But you do not stress it to the point to worry about. All I gotta say is keep it up!! Love it more and buy more stuff and you will be hooked! If you have any questions PM me I would love to help out as much as I can!

[JSind11]

Awesome! Welcome to the cycling world. Cycling has been my life for the past 11years also my job. Being across seas you have a lot more choose from.(past 11years, I have only bought two bikes new) you really can find the BEST deals 2nd hand, People buy a lot of bikes thinking they are gonna ride them, and they never do. So their lose is your gain. I would check Local sale sites, If you are in no rush keep looking, every day a few times a day, you can walk away with a  lot of bike spending very little. I wish the best of luck to you! Also save up a little more, maybe like £400-£450... Oh also where are you in the UK?

 

About the Strava App, I like it.... But it will drain your phone battery. Any high-end Garmin will tell you what you want to know.( Garmin are pricy) 

 

Edit: If you are looking at any used bike that has Carbon, use the Quarter test, tap on the Carbon with a Quarter you will hear the thunk, if the sounds changes look for cracks, most likely will be.

 

Also does this budget you have, does that include Helmet(Must have) prices, Shoes, pedals, water bottles, tubes, tools, riding Kit, pump, I assume you are in the UK you will want a light windbreaker/rain jacket that can be balled up. I would say almost all of this is needed. a lot of stuff cost money that can add up, but in the long run it is well worth it. Cheap stuff is cheap, remember you get what you pay for.... On a bike ride you do not want anything to fail, Safety first, and you do not want to be stuck int he middle of no mans land with a dead cell phone(due to Strava)

 

 

yeah I've been using Strava for the last month or so, and Jesus Christ is it addictive, 

find it doesn't kill the battery too bad on my iPhone if I turn off WiFi and lower the screen brightness. 

 

I'm riding to and from work (14 miles in and 6 miles out) so I'm doing a good 100 miles a week, hence the need to drop the MTB for a roadie. 

 

I live in the South of the UK (Southampton)

 

Because I have been commuting for about 2 months now I have collected most of my "gear" so the budget is for the bike alone. 

I've never ridden with "clipless" pedals, so want to start with flats while I save again for some (and get used to downwards bars)

 

what do you think of this? im not expecting it to be a record breaker, but semi decent for the price at least?

 

http://www.bikes2udirect.com/B6225.html