Beginnerish bike

[jamie678]

Hi all,

I am looking for some advice on what bike I should get. I signed up to do the ride london 100 mile bike race and luckily got a place. My issue now is I lack a bike that is suitable to cycle it....

I want to get a road bike but my budget is quite low at £250. I imagine at that price my best bet would be used bikes? Anyone got any tips at what I should be looking at? I noticed the Carrera Crixus II Limited edition Cyclocross 2015 in halfords thats £250, anyone got thoughts on the suitability of that?
Thanks for any help!

 

[HorTs]

I've been looking for a friend of mine and it is still hard to beat the value of the B'TWIN range at Decathlon if you want something new.

The Triban 300 is a little over your budget (£30) - http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-300-road-bike-white-id_8239800.html

The Triban 500 SE is £80 over budget but worth the extra in my opinion - http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-500-se-road-bike-black-id_8306187.html

Its hard to recommend particular 2nd hand bikes as they'd all need assessing on a case by case basis. You could try and find a 2nd hand red Triban 300 as these were always well reviewed and excellent value.

 

[HorTs]

The Carrera Crixus II looks alright but I'm not sure about those brakes.

 

[vickster]

The decathlon 500 is a good shout, save up the extra through Feb while it's and come we we weather in March you'll be ready to start training. Some better tyres (and wheels if funds permit) and it's a bike that will serve you well for the ride and beyond

 

[jefmcg]

Welcome @jamie678 .

Make sure you visit this thread https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/ridelondon-surrey-100-2015-anyone.162528/page-38. You probably don't have to read all 38 pages, but drop in the end and tell people you are in, and ask for some training suggestions.

 

[vickster]

If you happen to be somewhere accessible to Essex and fit a medium giant defy, you could do far worse than this for £290

https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/giant-defy-4-triple-road-bike-medium.173897/#post-3520754

 

[jamie678]

Thanks for the replies! Seeing as it is Britain so i wont get outside the gym much over February, i'll probably see what pops up over the next month used wise in my area. I live in Surrey so prime area to practice on the hills! Essex is a bit out of my way though unfortunately otherwise I probably would have been all over that. But i'll keep my eyes open

 

[vickster]

Go to decathlon in Croydon and see their offerings as a newbie wanting to climb hills, that defy would be perfect with its triple. Ask where he is in Essex, could well be a London commuter too

 

[jamie678]

Thats a good point, however as a new member I think I have to wait a few days till I have the rights to post in that area, but i'll keep my eye on that post for sure

 

[Saluki]

+1 on getting in touch regarding that Defy. It's a gazillion times better than the Crixus and will last for ages and ages.
I'm 5'7" and rode a medium Defy and I would probably have been ok if I had been a couple of inches shorter or an inch or so taller. Great bikes and totally worth a trip into another county.

I drove from Norwich to Hackney for my CX bike, just before Christmas. Totally worth the extra miles.

 

[Saluki]

Thats a good point, however as a new member I think I have to wait a few days till I have the rights to post in that area, but i'll keep my eye on that post for sure

Just send a PM. No need to wait to post on the thread.

 

[vickster]

@The Central Scrutinizer

 

[jamie678]

I'm 6 foot, would i not be pushing a bit with the medium frame?

 

[biggs682]

@jamie678 with your budget i would be looking at 2nd hand market

if you fancy a nice retro ride drop me line

 

[vickster]

Yes probably need a m/l or l, but you won't know until you try

Decathlon let you ride the bikes around the store

Where in Surrey are you?