Suggestions for a budget road bike please

[new2road]

My experience is limited to mountain bikes and I have a few endurance events coming up I've entered for. Training is quite difficult and am now looking to buy a road bike to get some miles into my legs.
A pal suggested a Lemond Etape triple 2006 which I've seen for £399.99. Would this be a good option or any other suggestions? Thanks

[Mrs Tortoise]

This was covered fairly recently, so have a scroll down recent postings. The general advice was try before you buy. Good luck with the events.

[new2road]

Thanks Mrs T,

Your advice about trying before is spot on. I've looked through recent postings though. and what I can find deals with bikes twice the price I am asking about.

I'm totally new to road and need a few suggestions before getting to the try stage. (You know how bike shop staff can be!!!)

Any thoughts would be welcome.

[Mrs Tortoise]

Most of the major manufacturers start entry level bikes around £4-500 and you might get a 2006 model cheaper. It's probably worth trying a couple at least so you have something to compare. In the end it's about personal choice which means how you feel about the ride, your own needs being met, and how much you can afford. What about a second hand bike? You could always post a wanted on the for sale column here, it's probably safer than ebay.

Good luck with your search, safe riding.

[meic]

Buy second hand! There are lots of absolutly fantastic steel frame bikes from the 70s and 80s which are going for a pittance or to the tip.
They are rugged, cheap to run and sensible to maintain.
Also they are not attractive to thieves.

[Greg]

There are also plenty of newer bikes going secondhand for the sort of money you're asking for. I paid £100 for my (aluminium, early '90s) cannondale racer, though it needed a couple of bits replacing. For £450, a friend recenty got an extremely nice, quite new Bianchi.

If you tell us where you're from, some people may be able to reccoment good shops which sell secondhand near you.