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Original poster

Tell me about road bikes, DS is looking for one

19 replies

Overseasmom100 · 27/06/2020 10:19

DS 15 (6ft) wants a road bike. He enjoys cycling and uses it to aid fitness. Looking to buy a 2nd hand one but dont know where to start.

Anyone got any advice on brand to look for price for starter etc

OP posts:

wonkytonkwoman · 27/06/2020 10:56

OP, try going on youtube with him and putting in something like 'good beginner road bike' and there'll be tons there, cycling is big on youtube and it's a wormhole

you can then look for a second hand bike from there, depending on what his needs and budget are.

wonkytonkwoman · 27/06/2020 10:57

I mean you can look for a second hand bike when you've got some ideas, not that you can buy one on youtube

Quizhelper · 27/06/2020 11:02

Im wondering, will a second hand bike be sold as it was duff, or do cyclists regularly upgrade?

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TheHighestSardine · 27/06/2020 11:05

Cyclists regularly upgrade, but could be from a Halfords "made of cheese" bike to a better quality one, or could be from last year's quality one to this year's quality one, so it's a minefield.

I'd only feel save buying a second hand bike if its original price was £400+, or £600+ if it uses hydraulic brakes.

Ifailed · 27/06/2020 11:08

OP, that's rather like saying you want to buy a car - there are literally 1000s of options and a price range to match.

what will be use the bike for; On road/off road, racing/time trialling, longer distance rides?
What is your budget? Is he reasonably handy so he could upgrade it as he goes by buying better wheels, tyres, gears etc?
I would also advise him to join a local club, they would be a good source of potential bikes and will probably run group rides etc where he can learn to ride safely, and pick up some of the etiquette, subject to lock-down rules.

Original poster

Overseasmom100 · 27/06/2020 11:24

He's a beginner wants it for on road to build up his fitness. He has a mountain bike and has been bike riding but finding it hardon road. Budget would be about £300.

OP posts:

Original poster

Overseasmom100 · 27/06/2020 11:26

I noticed Halfords have a Carrea?? Think that is their brand about £300 new so possibly he could start with something like that and upgrade once he's into it etc

OP posts:

wonkytonkwoman · 27/06/2020 11:43

Well in my limited experience the bike to buy is the one that helps you achieve your cycling goal and is enjoyable to ride. In general the heavier the bike the less enjoyable it is but I'd expect a reasonably good second hand bike for 300. And yep it's like cars, new models every year but there are bargains to be had on eBay if you know what you're looking for.

JacobReesMogadishu · 27/06/2020 11:53

Prices are crazy at the minute, inc for second hand bikes. It’s hard to buy a new bike, you go into a bike shop and it’s like they’ve been robbed. Thanks to covid everyone has taken up cycling. Which is great, but it’s causing supply issues.

He needs to sit on some bikes and get an idea of what size he needs, this might vary from different makes. But if he gets on some in a bike shop with a knowledgable assistant who tells him when he’s on the right size he will know what it’s supposed to feel like. Fit is the most important thing above all else.

Each make of bikes will have what’s considered an entry level bike. So for Giant it’s the Contend. I have the Liv Avail which I believe is the female equivalent. Specialized and Trek are also good makes.

JacobReesMogadishu · 27/06/2020 11:54

He’d get a better bike than a Carerra for the same price second hand.

nevergoingoutagain · 27/06/2020 12:02

Don't buy from Halfords!!! Don't buy a careers!!

I think what previous user said about researching good road bikes and then seeing what you can get second hand is a good idea.

You could look round on fb for local cycling groups and ask if anyone is selling.

As a starting point my daughter rides a specialised which was £250 ish second hand my husband says you could also look for a boardman, a trek or a giant. And make sure it has a shimano or sram groupset (gears shifters and breaks)

There are also lots of dedicated bike selling groups on fb for different areas.

Lonecatwithkitten · 27/06/2020 12:05

He can also learn how to up grade his bike. We buy frames, drive trains, wheels, pedals and seats all individually to totally customise our bikes/ gradually up grade.
DP will 'create' a bike from a sum of parts - he is know in the bike world for this so he does at least one bike a year then sells it on to someone who then sells on their bike and so on down the chain.

Whatisgoingdown · 27/06/2020 12:06

You can put road or hybrid tyres on a mountain bike. If he still has off road tyres on it at the moment changing the tyres will make a huge difference and save a fortune too.

lljkk · 27/06/2020 12:21

At his age, won't he have firm opinions about what he wants?
I am guessing you mean something lightweight with drop handlebars. But the words 'road bike' could mean anything unless you post a pic of what you think you're after.

How far / time duration would he go, is he happy to get into some lycra to spare his tender parts?

He's a great age to join a road club, they are starting up club runs again. The 15 yr olds typically ride the 40 yr olds off their heels, very welcome to do so.

TheHighestSardine · 28/06/2020 19:16

Another vote for just swapping the tyres out for road ones on his existing bike. £60 max, only takes ten minutes to do.

pinkcarpet · 28/06/2020 19:22

Have a look on somewhere like Wiggle.co.uk to get an idea of current entry level prices and model names, then search for a older model secondhand. Something like a Trek or Specialized are a safe bet in terms of brands. A decent entry level bike is around £500-600 new so you can get something good for £300 secondhand. Also make sure to invest in a decent lock and get it registered/police tagged so it doesn't go walkabout. Bike theft is on the up and from personal experience its gutting when your bike is stolen

Arnoldthecat · 28/06/2020 19:23

Maybe he doesnt really need a road bike? As a start, does his existing MTB actually fit him? is the frame size correct? does he have the handlebars and seat position optimally adjusted?

A cheap upgrade for him would be to swap his knobbly MTB tyres for some road tyres.

He could then run it like that for a while and see how it goes. If he finds that its now a bit under geared, he could swap the gear cassette on the rear. New bikes cost a fortune.

I have a MTB. When i first hit the road with it i found it heavy going. As my fitness, muscle and stamina improved it became easier and easier.

Lurkingforawhile · 28/06/2020 19:27

He needs to make sure it fits well (harder with second hand) - lots of parts adjust but the frame size needs to be correct to start with

BadAlice · 28/06/2020 19:28

Has he considered a gravel or cyclocross bike? He’d probably get a lot more use out of it as a beginner. They look pretty much just like road bikes but usually have disk brakes and slightly wider tyres (but not like a mountain bike). Much easier to handle on shitty uk road surfaces and you can pop onto a bridleway or a verge without it feeling horribly sketchy.

Planet X do some bargains.

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