Which new/used quality road bike is best?

[Matholwch]

I'm looking for an inexpensive, about £200, quality road bike, so probably a used one would be appropriate. Is the Viking make any good? Any assistance would be appreciated.

Thanks.

[meic]

With £200 and a fair bit of luck you could get a good 1980s or 1990s 531steel framed road bike.

You have to have a good idea of what size frame you need and then keep your eye on the sales post here and whatever is going on locally.

I would try and get one with 700C wheels rather than the old 27" type to avoid problems later on with tyres, rims etc.

I have heard of such bikes dumped or given away on freecycle, which is a real pity.

Quite a lot of the people on this forum would consider needing £2,000 to get a good quality road bike.

Oh and dont call it Branwen.

[Matholwch]

Shwmae, meic!

Great stuff, I particularly like the Freecycle idea, I'm already a member, but forgot about it!

£2000 is slightly over my budget! I'm aiming for a quality second-hand road bike as opposed to a brand new BSO, already have one of those, a mountain bike, so don't want to go there again!

Diolch!

[Brucey]

unless you are actually going racing, might I suggest something more like a touring bike?

still pretty quick (if you want) on sunny days with skinny tyres and no mudguards, but infinitely more practical with mudguards etc in our climate. Not that expensive, either. You can often get hold of something with a really nice steel frame for peanuts if you keep your eyes peeled.

How about this for a 'racer'? (no affiliation)

http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/dawes-giro-300-competition-classic-vintage-racing-bike/1002054025

cheers

[Alex L]

I have a Viking Pursuit which is pretty well make. Not sure what some of the lower spec ones are like. So long as they save money on the right components not the wrong ones. You may find you have to fork out some money one replacing the saddle ect.

That being said. It's not getting much use now it's winter and I generally use my steel hybrid to get around.

[meic]

The bike in Brucey's link is exactly the sort of thing that I was thinking of

but there is a problem (no surprise there) living in Treorci you may have difficulty cycling anywhere off the main road with the gears on that bike. So you will probably need to spend the £120 (or more) that you have left over on converting it to a triple gear set at the front.

So if you can find one which already has a triple that may be a better bet.

[Brucey]

http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/claud-butler-1970s-racing-bicycle-531-reynolds-tubing/112281466

even if it has 27" wheels it is a good buy I reckon....

cheers

[Matholwch]

Thanks guys,

All your advice is certainly invaluable.

Brucey, that's the sort of bike I'm looking for. No. I'm not looking for great speed, just something to get me out of the house to keep me fit and enjoy the fresh air.

Alex L, been looking at the Viking Phantom Men's Lightweight Road Bike (2012), but no idea how good it really is.

Meic, you know Treorci area fairly well then? Slightly hilly to say the least! The "Granny ring" is particularly handy around here! I keep to the flat as much as possible, the Bwlch and Rhigos mountains are definitely not for me!

[531colin]

The bike Brucey posted has been fitted with a triple and long cage rear mech, if you look.

Transmission and STI's must be worth more than the asking price!

Edit....and the brake tracks on the rims are still black!

[reohn2]

The bike in Brucey's link is exactly the sort of thing that I was thinking of

but there is a problem (no surprise there) living in Treorci you may have difficulty cycling anywhere off the main road with the gears on that bike. So you will probably need to spend the £120 (or more) that you have left over on converting it to a triple gear set at the front.

So if you can find one which already has a triple that may be a better bet.

It is a triple and 110 BCD too.It looks to me to be bargain of the century,I'd pay £50 for the STI's alone.the wheels look like new!

[Brucey]

it has often been said that I have an eye for a bargain...

-but my timing can be way off....

-maybe it is already sold....

cheers

[Matholwch]

Thanks guys,

However, for private sales I'm looking for something closer to home.

[meic]

I need my eyes or computer screen checking because I can not see the three rings. However the length of the rear mechanism shows that they are right.

Warwickshire isnt too far, now you have to work out if the size is reasonable for you.

Are the pedals SPD-L ones? If so you may not be able to ride it home as it is.

When it comes to a bike at such a bargain price, if the size is right, isnt it worth just taking the risk?

[stewartpratt]

I need my eyes or computer screen checking because I can not see the three rings.

The inner is black...

[531colin]

Road pedals of some sort.
Easy to take a spanner and a pair of pedals?
Prob room for 25mm tyres and guards?