Fancy a new bike but not sure of way to go

[stalagmike]

I have just taken up regular cycling and I am starting to think that my current bike isn't really up to regular use. The crank arm randomly fell off the other day. I fixed it back on again, but wasn't impressed with the softness of the nut that was holding it on! It cost me £125 new about 5 years ago, so you can imagine the quality of it.

I am thinking of replacing it with something that I can rely on for a weekly jaunt out through country roads and a few hills without too much bother. I'm not really looking for anything too technical or to break any speed records. I have also signed up to do a London to Oxford ride next year, so it will need to be comfy enough for distance rides.

I only have about 250 - 300 budget. Would appreciate some advice on whether to go for an 80s/90s Dawes or Raleigh tourer or maybe a higher-end Raleigh from the 70s. There are so many makes and models and varying quality depending on the year, any help in sifting the good from the bad would be much appreciated.

 

[raleighnut]

Good choice there look for anything with 531 on it if you can find one (Hipsters tend to grab em for fixies) but you are quite close to @biggs682 there, he may well have something up for sale. (I'd avoid Peugeots personally, just don't like the handling character)

 

[OskarTennisChampion]

Good choice there look for anything with 531 on it if you can find one (Hipsters tend to grab em for fixies) but you are quite close to @biggs682 there, he may well have something up for sale. (I'd avoid Peugeots personally, just don't like the handling character)

Well,As Raleighnut will know,you can't go wrong with a Raleigh(funnily enough ).
Good solid bikes that will stand the test of time,and would be my port of call should I take up Road Cycling.
I would go on eBay or even the classifieds on here,you are bound to find one

 

[steve50]

Good choice there look for anything with 531 on it if you can find one (Hipsters tend to grab em for fixies) but you are quite close to @biggs682 there, he may well have something up for sale. (I'd avoid Peugeots personally, just don't like the handling character)

I will second that suggestion, @biggs682 has a few nice bikes for sale circa £130 - 200, all nice bikes used but all serviced and tested. HHe also has a facebook page in the same name if you do fb. https://www.facebook.com/Racing-Bikes-Biggs682-655913424461297/?fref=ts

 

[biggs682]

@steve50 thank you

@stalagmike as mentioned i always normally have at least a couple of road bikes for sale , feel free to get in touch and fairly local

 

[stalagmike]

@raleighnut Thanks for the reply. The hipsters are part of the problem for sure. It seems like all the 531 bikes are overpriced compared to other Reynolds steel. Is 500 or 501 steel really that bad in comparison? Seeing as I live within 50 miles of London any search of ebay brings up a lot of bikes listed as "poss. Fixie". Seems a shame that a lot of great bikes are being turned into these. What's wrong with gears?

@biggs682 I have seen your postings on retrobike. I'm 6ft 3 so probably need something at least 62cm. Let me know if anything suitable comes your way.

 

[biggs682]

@raleighnut Thanks for the reply. The hipsters are part of the problem for sure. It seems like all the 531 bikes are overpriced compared to other Reynolds steel. Is 500 or 501 steel really that bad in comparison? Seeing as I live within 50 miles of London any search of ebay brings up a lot of bikes listed as "poss. Fixie". Seems a shame that a lot of great bikes are being turned into these. What's wrong with gears?

@biggs682 I have seen your postings on retrobike. I'm 6ft 3 so probably need something at least 62cm. Let me know if anything suitable comes your way.

@stalagmike got this one Ridley Crossbow Road / Cyclocross Bike Large Sized ok its not steel and a bit over your budget but always open to offers if its any good for you

 

[stalagmike]

@stalagmike got this one Ridley Crossbow Road / Cyclocross Bike Large Sized ok its not steel and a bit over your budget but always open to offers if its any good for you

Thanks @biggs682 That looks like a nice bike and has got some great reviews, but I have got my heart set on a steel framed tourer or classic racer I think. Maybe I am a hipster and don't know it!

 

[biggs682]

Thanks @biggs682 That looks like a nice bike and has got some great reviews, but I have got my heart set on a steel framed tourer or classic racer I think. Maybe I am a hipster and don't know it!

it was just a thought

 

[stalagmike]

There are a couple of Raleigh Elans and a sirocco on the bay at the moment. @raleighnut Am I correct in thinking these are quite good spec for 501 tubed Raleigh's? Have you owned either of these?

 

[raleighnut]

There are a couple of Raleigh Elans and a sirocco on the bay at the moment. @raleighnut Am I correct in thinking these are quite good spec for 501 tubed Raleigh's? Have you owned either of these?

All my Raleighs have been built up from bare fames pretty much (the stem is probably the only OE part I retain, Raleigh forks can have their own sizes )
I just like the quality of the handling and that planted feel on the road which exists all the way from my 18-20 frames to my 531. I'd probably go for the Sirocco frame though, quite similar to my Equipe.

 

[stalagmike]

All my Raleighs have been built up from bare fames pretty much (the stem is probably the only OE part I retain, Raleigh forks can have their own sizes )
I just like the quality of the handling and that planted feel on the road which exists all the way from my 18-20 frames to my 531. I'd probably go for the Sirocco frame though, quite similar to my Equipe.

How about Criteriums? I have seen a few of those listed. Any good for a gradual build from original spec? I doubt I will have the time or money to do much other than standard maintenance for a while.

 

[biggs682]

How about Criteriums? I have seen a few of those listed. Any good for a gradual build from original spec? I doubt I will have the time or money to do much other than standard maintenance for a while.

Criteriums and Scirocco's sometimes come in full 501 tubing not just main triangle something else to keep an eye out for

@stalagmike i have an 80's Claud Butler in full 501 if you fancy a try to see what you think about it , i like full 501 frames and i doubt many of us can really tell the difference in 501 and 531

 

[Fab Foodie]

Agree re 501 tubing, it's perfectly good.
Pedal power in Aningdon and Warlands cycles in Oxford both deal in good second hand bikes and usually have a few good steelies. I think pedal power still has a galaxy. Worth a call. Do you know what frame size in inches?
Be aware, worn drive trams can be a bit soendy to replace.

 

[stalagmike]

@biggs682 thanks for the offer to try your claud butler. Is it one you have for sale or one of yours?

@Fab Foodie Thanks for the tips on those two shops. I will certainly check them out. We have two local bike shops where I live but one is cycle king and the other full of bianchis that cost 2K+ nothing in between!