£250 Road/touring bike budget

[SageDO]

Hi everyone, I recently started riding and want to buy a road bike within the budget quoted. I don't know much about bikes but I've been told that for that price a second hand bike would be best. Any suggestions on where to get quality used bikes, good brands, fixed gears or not, frame size etc. I'm in Cambridge by the way.

I've looked at these new ones from halfords, any good ones?

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/pendleton-initial-road-bike
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/apollo-fusion-road-bike-51cm
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/british-eagle-velocita-mens-road-bike-55cm
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/apollo-fusion-road-bike-46cm

 

[biggs682]

@SageDO what size frame are you after ? or how tall are you ?

i am only a short distance from you and normally have a couple of retro 2nd hand bikes for sale .

i would suggest looking for either Reynolds or Columbus tubing , your choice re fixed or gears will depend on type of riding and how hilly it is ?

 

[SageDO]

@SageDO what size frame are you after ? or how tall are you ?

i am only a short distance from you and normally have a couple of retro 2nd hand bikes for sale .

i would suggest looking for either Reynolds or Columbus tubing , your choice re fixed or gears will depend on type of riding and how hilly it is ?

I'm about 6ft average build, i'm mainly going to be cycling on roads with the odd uphill path, no hills. Columbus tubing is for the frame right? Also what bikes do you have for sale

 

[vickster]

£300, look at the Merlin PR7 offering, be far better than anything Halfords offers (as linked). Save up another £50 (Merlin are part of Quidco too)

http://www.merlincycles.com/merlin-performance-road-pr7-bike-73113.html

You realise the Pendleton bike you linked is a women's model, so if you are 6ft, you may struggle on size - the largest is for up to 5'7

 

[SageDO]

£300, look at the Merlin PR7 offering, be far better than anything Halfords offers (as linked). Save up another £50 (Merlin are part of Quidco too)

http://www.merlincycles.com/merlin-performance-road-pr7-bike-73113.html

You realise the Pendleton bike you linked is a women's model, so if you are 6ft, you may struggle on size - the largest is for up to 5'7

Didn't even check the gender when I did the initial search, big oversight on my part. That bike looks great, the carbon fork should save me the trouble of replacing a fork on a second hand one. I was looking at the £350 bundle since I'll likely get all the accessories at some point anyway.
It's a bit out of my price range but if I come across an extra £100 I know this bike's worth it.

 

[e-rider]

Hi everyone, I recently started riding and want to buy a road bike within the budget quoted. I don't know much about bikes but I've been told that for that price a second hand bike would be best. Any suggestions on where to get quality used bikes, good brands, fixed gears or not, frame size etc. I'm in Cambridge by the way.

I've looked at these new ones from halfords, any good ones?

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/pendleton-initial-road-bike
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/apollo-fusion-road-bike-51cm
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/british-eagle-velocita-mens-road-bike-55cm
http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/apollo-fusion-road-bike-46cm

If you don't know much about bikes, you could easily end up with a £150 'repair' bill if you buy secondhand; making you total spend more like £400, for which you could buy a nice new bike!
I'd be cautious about buying a secondhand bike unless you have a mate selling something suitable and genuine

 

[e-rider]

also, the bikes you have listed are all way too small for you at 6' tall
You need about a size 58cm

 

[Dayvo]

Claud Butler have, IMO, decent entry-lelvel touring bikes:

http://claudbutler.co.uk/bike/searc...&cf_product_sex=Male|Boys|Unisex&catalog=2014

 

[oiljam]

Halfords Carrrera Zelos looks the bees knees in red. Slightly over budget though.

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/carrera-zelos-road-bike-2015

 

[Phixion]

For that price it's either the Merlin or one of the BTWIN bikes.

 

[SageDO]

Halfords Carrrera Zelos looks the bees knees in red. Slightly over budget though.

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/carrera-zelos-road-bike-2015

I looked at this very bike before, I'll check for other models from the brand for a cheaper option. Thanks

 

[SageDO]

Claud Butler have, IMO, decent entry-lelvel touring bikes:

http://claudbutler.co.uk/bike/search/search&search-words-within-words=no&category=7&cf_product_sex=Male|Boys|Unisex&catalog=2014

Loads of options within my budget here, great list

 

[vickster]

I looked at this very bike before, I'll check for other models from the brand for a cheaper option. Thanks

The Merlin wiped the floor with the Carrera (£429 Vanquish I think) in this month's cycling active mag

 

[Drago]

My missus has the Pendleton Initial. Its a proper machine, a well thought out bike with a decent spec. Reserve it online an its a further 10% off.

That said, I'm not sure the largest size will be big enough for you. I presume that you are female as this bike was on your list?

 

[cyberknight]

The Merlin wiped the floor with the Carrera (£429 Vanquish I think) in this month's cycling active mag

+1 on the merlin, then the triban from decathlon then the zelos , in that order .
The merlin has the carbon fork to reduce road buzz and a decent wheelset compared to what you will find on other brands at this price, same wheels my boardman had when new and it cost closer to three times the OPs budget.