£300 set budget for a new bike - suggestions?

[infinityleague]

Second hand all day. I got a very tidy bike for about £200 on Gumtree which I use on my turbo.

Have you got somebody you know who would look at suitable options for you?

If not, I'm sure people on here would be happy to help if you give your location.

Basildon is my base for now. Probably be moving up north in 2-3 years time if
things go as planned.

 

[Dogtrousers]

Here is the official website.

https://www.dragonride.co.uk/

Three flavours:
98km / 1,345m ... yeah, OK
157km / 2,223m ... Ouch
215km / 3,350m ... Eeeeek!

 

[Animo]

Basildon is my base for now. Probably be moving up north in 2-3 years time if
things go as planned.

https://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/...ons&utm_content=app_android&utm_medium=Social

 

[Dan Lotus]

It's been said by many people, I don't think £300 new will get you a bike with the correct gearing for the events you want to complete.

Back in the day a Triban 3 Red could be had for £300, that had carbon forks and decent gearing, though I don't think it was running a 34 on the cassette.
The issue with bikes in that budget is that they will have less gears at the rear, and so they are not going to want a cassette with a 34 as the biggest cog as it will be super gappy, plus the rear derailleur would need to be longer, and hence more expensive.

2nd hand, ebay, facebook is definitely the way to go - maybe see if a mate who is bike savvy can come with you to view etc.

There's definitely some bargains out there - I managed to find all be it a 44cm ladies Bianchi, with Sora 9 spd I think, which had covered less than 50 miles, and you could tell, for £300 on the nose. Even that though had a miserly bottom gear of 34/27! It was for my young daughter, so I spent around ~£40 on a new long cage RD, and an 12-36 rear cassette, and now she has a phenomenal gear range.
Yes it is gappy, but for her needs it fulfills a purpose.

 

[infinityleague]

It's been said by many people, I don't think £300 new will get you a bike with the correct gearing for the events you want to complete.

Back in the day a Triban 3 Red could be had for £300, that had carbon forks and decent gearing, though I don't think it was running a 34 on the cassette.
The issue with bikes in that budget is that they will have less gears at the rear, and so they are not going to want a cassette with a 34 as the biggest cog as it will be super gappy, plus the rear derailleur would need to be longer, and hence more expensive.

2nd hand, ebay, facebook is definitely the way to go - maybe see if a mate who is bike savvy can come with you to view etc.

There's definitely some bargains out there - I managed to find all be it a 44cm ladies Bianchi, with Sora 9 spd I think, which had covered less than 50 miles, and you could tell, for £300 on the nose. Even that though had a miserly bottom gear of 34/27! It was for my young daughter, so I spent around ~£40 on a new long cage RD, and an 12-36 rear cassette, and now she has a phenomenal gear range.
Yes it is gappy, but for her needs it fulfills a purpose.

Competing is THE motivation to work towards getting bike fit &
probably be able to do the medium distance.

I know my budget is short for the requirements but I don't want to get carried away when I’m just starting after such a long gap.

 

[infinityleague]

Apologies if I have not replied to every post in person but I’m looking at every reply and taking note of all the suggestions.

Thank you, everyone.

 

[infinityleague]

Three flavours:
98km / 1,345m ... yeah, OK
157km / 2,223m ... Ouch
215km / 3,350m ... Eeeeek!

If I prepare myself for the 296 Km Dragon Devil ride, I may end up doing the 150 km ride. Keeps me motivated.

 

[Reynard]

Definitely go used. You'll get way more bang-for-buck if you're working to a £300 budget.

I'd suggest starting out with a hybrid or a touring bicycle, as both will give you more flexibility in terms of use / gear range and general comfort while riding. An out-and-out road bike will always be an out-and-out road bike. A hybrid or a tourer will give you a choice of three chain rings up front and a much more useable range of ratios on the back. Plus one of the best ways of simply getting out on the bike is doing utility rides - pop to the shops, to the post office or whatever you need to do instead of taking the car. Fit mudguards and a rack, and you've got a capable do-it-all.

If you're mechanically savvy and happy to tinker, then you've definitely got more options. Look for a nice frame and then build it up how you want it. The danger there, is that you can get carried away on the parts front. Most of us here have fallen down that particular rabbit hole and spent way more than intended LOL!

As for accessories, then helmet, gloves (will protect the skin on your palms if you have an unscheduled dismount), glasses (to keep flies and dust out of your eyes), lights, mudguards. That should get you started at least. Decathlon are a good port of call for these kinds of gubbins, and their own brand stuff is pretty good. Most of my cycling clothing and accessories come from Decathlon. If you're in Basildon, it may be worth a trip to have a mooch around the big one at Lakeside.

Also budget for a saddle. You may find the saddle that comes with whatever bike you get works for you - which in that case, you can divert those spendables back towards other bits. But there is absolutely nothing worse than cycling any sort of distance on a saddle that offends your bottom.

 

[biggs682]

@infinityleague i have the below for sale

https://www.gumtree.com/p/bicycles/late-80s-dawes-super-galaxy-large-touring-bike/1502622770

https://www.gumtree.com/p/bicycles/b-twin-triban-3-as-new-road-bike/1456845663

If either are any good to you , the B twin i have had for sale quite a while now

 

[Brandane]

Competing is THE motivation to work towards getting bike fit &
probably be able to do the medium distance.

I know my budget is short for the requirements but I don't want to get carried away when I’m just starting after such a long gap.

I understand where you are coming from with this "don't want to get carried away" etc... but try not to fall into the trap of buying something cheap and nasty, a BSO in other words. If you buy it and don't like it, you will ride it 2 or 3 times and it will end up at the back of your shed/garage/whatever, and you have wasted your money.
That is why so many posters are suggesting second hand. Some good bikes out there but you need to know what you are looking for.
I recently got this beauty for £270... Merida Speeder 400 with Shimano 105, hydraulic disc brakes and other reasonably high spec components. Had been bought new by an elderly man who liked it, used it a few times, but was sadly stopped from cycling by health issues. It then sat in his garage for 4 years before he sold it... (and sorry, but I'm in no hurry to sell it on!).

 

[Reynard]

I understand where you are coming from with this "don't want to get carried away" etc... but try not to fall into the trap of buying something cheap and nasty, a BSO in other words. If you buy it and don't like it, you will ride it 2 or 3 times and it will end up at the back of your shed/garage/whatever, and you have wasted your money.

And end up hating cycling!

Of course it's tough going when you're starting out and trying to build up fitness, but if you're hampered on top of that by a cheap, badly-built and heavy bike that's kitted out with components made of cheese, then it just makes it even harder.

A decent bicycle is like a decent set of tools - it makes life so much easier because you're not having to deal with a load of annoying niggles. You want to enjoy the ride, not chuck your steed in the hedge!

 

[infinityleague]

And end up hating cycling!

Of course it's tough going when you're starting out and trying to build up fitness, but if you're hampered on top of that by a cheap, badly-built and heavy bike that's kitted out with components made of cheese, then it just makes it even harder.

A decent bicycle is like a decent set of tools - it makes life so much easier because you're not having to deal with a load of annoying niggles. You want to enjoy the ride, not chuck your steed in the hedge!

Totally agree. Stop at Decathlon to check if something fits my budget range.

 

[infinityleague]

I understand where you are coming from with this "don't want to get carried away" etc... but try not to fall into the trap of buying something cheap and nasty, a BSO in other words. If you buy it and don't like it, you will ride it 2 or 3 times and it will end up at the back of your shed/garage/whatever, and you have wasted your money.
That is why so many posters are suggesting second hand. Some good bikes out there but you need to know what you are looking for.
I recently got this beauty for £270... Merida Speeder 400 with Shimano 105, hydraulic disc brakes and other reasonably high spec components. Had been bought new by an elderly man who liked it, used it a few times, but was sadly stopped from cycling by health issues. It then sat in his garage for 4 years before he sold it... (and sorry, but I'm in no hurry to sell it on!).

View attachment 786470

Stop at Decathlon for a quick peek, if not, back to the second hand market.

 

[infinityleague]

@infinityleague i have the below for sale

https://www.gumtree.com/p/bicycles/late-80s-dawes-super-galaxy-large-touring-bike/1502622770

https://www.gumtree.com/p/bicycles/b-twin-triban-3-as-new-road-bike/1456845663

If either are any good to you , the B twin i have had for sale quite a while now

The B twin looks good. Will get in touch if I can’t find any sooner. Thanks for letting me know.

 

[infinityleague]

Definitely go used. You'll get way more bang-for-buck if you're working to a £300 budget.

I'd suggest starting out with a hybrid or a touring bicycle, as both will give you more flexibility in terms of use / gear range and general comfort while riding. An out-and-out road bike will always be an out-and-out road bike. A hybrid or a tourer will give you a choice of three chain rings up front and a much more useable range of ratios on the back. Plus one of the best ways of simply getting out on the bike is doing utility rides - pop to the shops, to the post office or whatever you need to do instead of taking the car. Fit mudguards and a rack, and you've got a capable do-it-all.

If you're mechanically savvy and happy to tinker, then you've definitely got more options. Look for a nice frame and then build it up how you want it. The danger there, is that you can get carried away on the parts front. Most of us here have fallen down that particular rabbit hole and spent way more than intended LOL!

As for accessories, then helmet, gloves (will protect the skin on your palms if you have an unscheduled dismount), glasses (to keep flies and dust out of your eyes), lights, mudguards. That should get you started at least. Decathlon are a good port of call for these kinds of gubbins, and their own brand stuff is pretty good. Most of my cycling clothing and accessories come from Decathlon. If you're in Basildon, it may be worth a trip to have a mooch around the big one at Lakeside.

Also budget for a saddle. You may find the saddle that comes with whatever bike you get works for you - which in that case, you can divert those spendables back towards other bits. But there is absolutely nothing worse than cycling any sort of distance on a saddle that offends your bottom.

Saddle
helmet
front & back lights
phone holder
padded shorts (think I can ride for an hour without one but will need it anyhow)

thats all I’m investing on the accessories. I’m not the “pimp my ride” crowd.