back in the saddle...what to buy?!

[Hudson1984]

So, as some will know if they've read my other posts, I had a hip replaced last year, and now i'm back to full health I'd like to get back in the saddle.

My intentions will be to cycle indoors to start, build the miles up with no risk of falling off or needing to make abrupt stops (or getting stuck 30 miles from home in pain)

My wife has also just got a bike - something she always said she didn't want to do, so there's the firm possibility of going for a ride together in the future which means I'd like something a little higher spec than if I were purely aiming for training indoors.

I want to spend about £500, and I want it to go as far as possible.

I'm 6' tall but have tiny legs and a long torso, I've always had 56cm frames with the saddle as low as it'll go, but i'm wondering if i'd be better off on a 54 and have a longer stem if required.

Option 1:
https://www.facebook.com/marketplac...wse_serp:cb38c910-6540-4b81-9334-d6ada3eb8fd7
quite like this ribble, slightly over budget but perhaps there's a deal to be had. Frame size should be perfect really.

Option 2:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/175207899004
loads of bike....and extras for the money! again, i'd be trying to get a deal on this, but it's also a strong contender, especially with spare wheels, could have a dedicated set purely for the turbo.

Option 3:
https://www.facebook.com/marketplac...wse_serp:cb38c910-6540-4b81-9334-d6ada3eb8fd7
this is my cheap option. Probably the sensible choice too but I have always wanted a carbon bike, with the bikes bike and our boys bike, I don't have space for multiple so need to buy once and buy smart.

Option 4:
https://www.facebook.com/marketplac...wse_serp:cb38c910-6540-4b81-9334-d6ada3eb8fd7
again, loads of bits and pieces added in here, but perhaps medium is that one step too small.

Option 5
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/353911588741
only thing that worries me on this is the low feedback of the seller and the small description. Seems like it could be a con.

and finally Option 6
https://www.facebook.com/marketplac...f=marketplace_profile&referral_code=undefined

What would you buy??

 

[cougie uk]

With your unusual sizing - I'd be going to a shop. Buying off Ebay or FB is a good way to waste money. A good LBS will let you swap out stems when you buy the bike.

 

[si_c]

Can't comment on most of those bikes as I don't use facebook, the first ebay link looks suspicious, little to no information in the advert and only a couple of photos. I'd be concerned it's stolen.

The second ebay link looks reasonable, the bike is in good condition and seems to be being sold with a spare pair of wheels.

I'd definitely echo the need to ride the bikes in question first to make sure the fit feels good at least initially. I'm rarely happy with a bike's fit until I've done several hundred miles, and tend to make tweaks for a couple thousand beyond that.

 

[kingrollo]

https://www.merlincycles.com/wizard-spark-25-road-bike-239021.html

 

[Hudson1984]

i'll of course be testing the chosen ones to see if they feel comfy, that's why they're all norfolk area. Definitely don't want to buy something and hate it immediately.

 

[vickster]

What did you have before?

 

[Hudson1984]

What did you have before?

I've had a 56cm Bianchi, a 56cm Specialized Allez, a battaglin, but not sure what the actual frame size was on that as the geometry was a bit odd.

All the 56 ones have felt fine, just i've only been able to have about an inch of seatpost showing as i've small legs despite being 6' tall

 

[vickster]

Does that matter if the reach is correct and the bike comfortable? I’m the other way having rather long legs and a relatively short reach

 

[Cycleops]

I'd echo what @cougie uk says, go to a shop. Too many variables and traps when buying second hand.
You're a limited a little by your budget but it'll still get you a decent bike at Decathlon:
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/road-bike-triban-rc-120-disc-brake/_/R-p-302301
You can try out the sizes until you're comfortable, plus there's a very good warranty to boot.
By all means try your LBS and see what they have but Decathlon is hard to beat for VfM.

 

[BalkanExpress]

If there is only an inch of seatpost showing on a modern sloping top tube bike I can see why you might want to drop a size.

However, The issue will be not only stem length but also height especially if buying second hand.

Changing Stem Length wouldn’t worry me too much. Ahead stems can be switched easily and you can pick them up second hand dirt cheap if you want to experiment with different lengths.

Height is something else. As steerer tubes are cut, you have to take care that you do not find yourself too low. Not a problem with a new bike, you get it cut to suit you. However, with something second hand, I’d look for a stem with lots of spacers to give yourself a fighting chance of a good fit. Either that or an adjustable stem but they are not pretty.

Good luck with the search

 

[SkipdiverJohn]

Does that matter if the reach is correct and the bike comfortable? I’m the other way having rather long legs and a relatively short reach

I'd echo what @cougie uk says, go to a shop. Too many variables and traps when buying second hand.

I've only ever bought two bikes brand new and the last time was over 30 years ago.
Secondhand has always worked fine for me, I just go for frame sizes that I know are in the right ball park to start with so therefore have enough adustability built into them. A different stem is cheap enough, and moving the saddle fore/aft on it's rails to adjust the reach is even cheaper!

 

[Hudson1984]

I bought the Merida. Would’ve cost substantially more getting something similar new plus I can sell a set of wheels and save even more money. Was a bloody bargain.

Saddle was still too high lol