First road bike under £400.

[vickster]

Be something like this

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/cannondale/synapse-disc-5-105-2014-road-bike-ec054416

There are non disc synapse models though

How old is that one, as tiagra has been 10 speed now for a good few years. So today that would be 9 spd sora. I don't think there is an 18 speed sora synapse, just the triple

http://www.evanscycles.com/products/cannondale/synapse-8-sora-triple-2014-road-bike-ec054418

Reviews, use google

 

[JaAnTr]

Ok, so now it's down to two bikes, the Cannondale on eBay or the Triban 500SE. Bearing in mind the Cannondale is £50 cheaper would you recommend that one?

Thanks for all the help!

 

[Wafer]

It's a Cannondale Synapse, I assume it's a '6' Tiagra, not this years model but I can't tell more than that.

There are some reviews of the bike around but they might be of the higher speced versions, when I was researching I was specifically trying to find reviews of the 2014 version and struggled a little, not least because there's also a carbon Synapse range and people don't necessarily distinguish clearly!

I would expect it to be a better bike for the money than the new one you're looking at assuming it fits and is in decent condition, but I really don't know enough to compare!

edit: appears I was very slow typing my reply there :P I blame it on trying to work as well

 

[vickster]

The seller has been pretty lean with the spec, I'd want to know if it has carbon forks. if not, the triban is a better bet, new and with a lifetime frame warranty

 

[JaAnTr]

The seller has been pretty lean with the spec, I'd want to know if it has carbon forks. if not, the triban is a better bet, new and with a lifetime frame warranty

The first line of the description claims that it has carbon forks - "Cannondale synapse road bike good condition aluminum frame with a carbon fork spec is as follows- "

 

[vickster]

Well spotted...i should really be concentrating better...on work!

 

[y2blade]

Hi, I'm looking to purchase my first road bike under £400. I know pretty much nothing about bikes but I've been reading around and have found some that fit my budget but have no idea which one would be the best value for money.

Here's the ones that I have found so far:

Triban 3 £300 - http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-3-road-bike-white-id_8239800.html
Triban 500 SE £380 - http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-500-se-road-bike-black-id_8306187.html
MEKK PINEROLO AL ZR £370 - http://www.rutlandcycling.com/213222/products/mekk-pinerolo-al-zr-road-bike.aspx
VIKING SAN REMO ROAD BIKE CARBON FORK £369 - http://www.rutlandcycling.com/159213/products/viking-san-remo-road-bike-carbon-fork.aspx

Thanks for any advice!

Are you not looking at used bikes at all?

 

[vickster]

Just went to buy the Mekk Pinerolo and it's sold out! I've had another look on eBay and found a second hand bike which the seller is prepared to deliver. Would anybody mind having a quick look and telling me if it looks ok and decent value?

Here's the link - http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Cannondal...1566845660?pt=UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item3a928d6edc

Thanks!

Yes he is if you look up

 

[JaAnTr]

Just asked the seller what year it was and he said it was a 2011 that he bought new in 2012. I've had a look and i'm pretty confident it is this - http://www.cannondale.com/2011/bikes/road/performance-road/synapse/2011-synapse-alloy-6-tiagra

Also, it doesn't come with any pedals so I've been looking up pedals but I'm incredibly confused about what I would need. What's some cheap pedals I could get to begin with?

Thanks.

 

[vickster]

Do you want to go clipless or stick to flat pedals?

If clipless, shimano m520 are a very good starter spd pedal. You'll need to buy shoes of course

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-pd-m520-pedals/

If flat, anything really, around a tenner up

Or go flat/clipless hybrid, like the m324, and buy shoes at your leisure

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-m324-combination-pedals/

You'll also need a pedal spanner and the correct Allan key to fit them...

 

[JaAnTr]

Think I'm going to take the plunge and buy the bike then! Don't fancy trying to win it on bid and risk losing it, seeing as there's already 35 bids on it.

Thanks for everything.

 

[vickster]

Is it worth seeing if there is a member on here who is local and can give it the once over for you? Also has the seller provided you with proof of purchase like a scanned receipt?

 

[JaAnTr]

That would be great but how would I go about organising that? And are people willing to do it?

 

[vickster]

Start a new thread in general cycling. Ask if there is anyone living where the seller is. You never know. When does the auction finish? Assume he is happy to have viewings

 

[JaAnTr]

4 days left on the auction but the auction price is getting close to the buy it now so not sure it'll last that long.