Is this Bike any good?!!

[alice]

hey everyone, I need advice. i've been cycling a long time but only on rubbish bikes. I'm looking for a new one, mainly for commuting through london, but also for a bit of touring. could anyone tell me if the following bike looks alright? I know it's carbon so not good for being bashed about, but do you think it would withstand a long distance with some luggage on the back. the owner tells me he can fit me a rack....
http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/c...able-for-a-lady-or-the-smaller-rider/83072025
Any advice would be really appreciated.
thanks,
Alice

 

[Angelfishsolo]

I may be wrong but I would be very wary of a Carbon Fibre bike for £240.

 

[smokeysmoo]

I'd avoid TBH, besides, Gumtree seems to be a haven for scumbags selling nicked bikes as well.

It was probably awesome in it's day, but carbon's only really hit the mainstream in the last handful of years, and judging from the quill stem this bike is no spring chicken.

 

[NormanD]

One to avoid me thinks, I doubt very much it's a carbon frame, the seat post is, but that's about it.

 

[4F]

I wouldnt touch it

 

[Sittingduck]

Alice

Aside from the potential 'dodgyness' as mentioned above, I wouldn't fancy touring on that gearing. Doesn't look low enough to me...

Good luck with the search!


Edit: What about something like this, if you can stretch another 60 quid? Mounts for a rack and they have a decent reputation, for the money.

SD

 

[Herzog]

I agree with what everyone else had said, second hand carbon fibre (if that's what it actually is) is risky! Crash damage my not immediately be obvious. Stick to steel or aluminium if you're buying second hand.

 

[NormanD]

This would be a better option than the gumtree one

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Agreed although the OP may need a triple front or a 11 to 28 rear cog for touring

This would be a better option than the gumtree one

 

[Banjo]

Definitely want some nice low gears for touring .I have 28 front 28 rear on my hybrid bike i use for touring and its barely good enough on big hills with full panniers. I would look for something like 28 tooth (or smaller) front chain ring .combined with a 32 tooth rear cog.

Good Luck with the search. Lots of bike shops are doing interest free credit which may be an option for you.If you can raise the extra cash I think one of these would be ideal.My link

 

[brockers]

It's an old Look frame which were well regarded in their day (15 years ago). It IS carbon fibre, but made from pre-formed tubes bonded to aluminium lugs, and then sprayed to hide the lugwork. New-fangled carbon frames these days are generally one piece monocoque designs and are made by placing layers of pre-impregnated (with resin) layers of carbon fibre around head-tube and bottom bracket shells in a mould, then put in a vacuum to form the shape, then cooked in an oven. Or something like that.

Those old carbon frames are not as stiff as present day ones, and aren't at all desireable at the moment. It's probably perfectly safe to ride although I'd never buy a bike off Gumtree on principle as I think anything on there is just hooky.

There's an old Turbomatic saddle on it and judging by the condition, it looks like it's been sat outside in the rain for a few years. Anyway, the advertiser has difficulty in spelling, and to me that usually indicates that they don't have much mechanical idea or sympathy either.

 

[alice]

Wow, I'm so glad i posted on here, you lot are ever so helpful, and i trust you way more than the seller of that bike! THANKYOU
Banjo I really like the look of the bike on your link, but will struggle to raise the cash- it really needs to be under £300, so im presuming i only really have the second hand option. the Carrera looks good too- and i've seen some secondhand ones about so will go for a search online now! any other ideas? .....
Alice

 

[Banjo]

Drop handlebar bikes at that price new tend to be not too good but you can get a pretty good highbrid bike such as a Trek My link

I use a Trek Valencia for commuting and light touring.

Have done over 4000 happy miles in 2 years on it The mudguards were added later.

 

[Sittingduck]

any other ideas? .....

Decathlon do a basic road bike for £299, with a carbon fork (unlike the Carerra). Reason I didn't post the link originally is that I saw no mount on the seatstay for a rack bolt. There are ways round that though, like p-clips and a seatpost clamp with built-in rack mounting holes.

http://www.decathlon...an-3-173178017/

Don't know your size but it looks like they have 54cm in stock at Surrey Quays. Might be worth a look?

p.s. these are not really dedicated tourers of course, just cheap road bikes but light touring would be possible.

 

[cyberknight]

EDIT ..
Duck missed your post
If thats carbon fibre i am a monkeys uncle , i might be wrong but i would have thought all carbon fibre would be running threadless headsets rather than old school stem .


You can get a new carrera virtuoso for £300 atm



http://www.halfords....egoryId_165710.

Cracking bike that has done me proud , even did a sportive on one and i was far from last .relegated to commuter as it can take rack+ full mudgaurds.