Hi hope you can help i am looking to buy a new bike for my son who is 14 for christmas he really wants a racing bike and i have had a look at a couple and am trying to work out what would be the best one for him http://www.roaduserdirect.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&path=20_237&product_id=3978 or http://www.amazon.co.uk/Barracuda-M...B007A9UTKK/ref=cm_sw_em_r_dp_2T5Qqb08EXH2K_im we only have £200 to spend and are stuck on which one
New Bike
- Thread starter andymoore
- Start date
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defy-one
Guest
Sorry to say for £200 you will not get a road bike of any quality. It will have a poor frame, and the quality will be rubbish.
The minimum spend has to be £300 and then you have a choice of two.
Halford do the carrera tdf and it's a good bike. My neighbour has it and we ride regularly.
For the same price you can get the Triban 3 from Decathlon stores. This bike has a carbon front fork, it has been reviewed many times and several forum members own one (me included).
I know an extra £100 is not easy to find, but spending anything less really will be a waste. Good luck
The minimum spend has to be £300 and then you have a choice of two.
Halford do the carrera tdf and it's a good bike. My neighbour has it and we ride regularly.
For the same price you can get the Triban 3 from Decathlon stores. This bike has a carbon front fork, it has been reviewed many times and several forum members own one (me included).
I know an extra £100 is not easy to find, but spending anything less really will be a waste. Good luck
black'n'yellow
Guest
as above - for a new bike, spend £300 min or you will waste £200.
Robwiz
Regular
+1 with above
£200 road bikes are heavy, poor quality and no fun to ride. A friend of mine bought a cheap road bike and asked me to check it out for him. It was truly horrible to ride - the balance was wrong and it wouldn't accelerate.
The Triban 3 from Decathlon feels and performs like a proper road bike. The extra outlay is well worth it. If £300 is too much then it's worth waiting until you can afford it.
£200 road bikes are heavy, poor quality and no fun to ride. A friend of mine bought a cheap road bike and asked me to check it out for him. It was truly horrible to ride - the balance was wrong and it wouldn't accelerate.
The Triban 3 from Decathlon feels and performs like a proper road bike. The extra outlay is well worth it. If £300 is too much then it's worth waiting until you can afford it.
It sounds a bit harsh if you're really stuck with £200, but the comments above are right.
However I've a couple of other thoughts. Why does he want a racing bike? If he wants to compete, get him along to a club and they might have a bike he can borrow. There are lots of clubs around, some do a lot with children, some don't so you might have to do some legwork.
Another option might be secondhand. While there are few things to match a nice shiny new bike most people will quickly put a few scratches on it, so cutting direct to that point can save a lot of money. Again its a minefield though and you need to make sure that your barely used bargain doesn't turn out to be a trashed, poorly maintained lemon.
However I've a couple of other thoughts. Why does he want a racing bike? If he wants to compete, get him along to a club and they might have a bike he can borrow. There are lots of clubs around, some do a lot with children, some don't so you might have to do some legwork.
Another option might be secondhand. While there are few things to match a nice shiny new bike most people will quickly put a few scratches on it, so cutting direct to that point can save a lot of money. Again its a minefield though and you need to make sure that your barely used bargain doesn't turn out to be a trashed, poorly maintained lemon.
biggs682
Itching to get back on my bike's
- Location
- Northamptonshire
go 2nd hand , best time of year to buy is now
look at this bargain http://forum.ctc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=40&t=70162
look at this bargain http://forum.ctc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=40&t=70162
Accy cyclist
Legendary Member
- Location
- The hills of Accrington
They advertise them as "lightweight" but they can't be. They're lightweight compared to 100 quid bikes maybe! I know how children like to open presents on Christmas Day, but no matter how new and shiny those bikes might look, they'll become a burden rather than a joy after a month or so. 200 pounds is false economy. Spend another 100 and you will save 200!
thnaks for the info is this one any good http://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/raleigh-race-road-bike-p181140
This is a far better bike than the raleigh http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-3-id_8167038.html
Robwiz
Regular
+1 for the Triban 3
right i think i am narrowing my choice down i am probably going for a carrera from halfords as they are close to me and i want to but locally as if there any problems i would like to take back easily etc which one of these 2 is the best http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_888017_langId_-1_categoryId_165710 or http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_810707_langId_-1_categoryId_165710 thanks for all your help and advice as you can probably guess i am a novice when it comes to bikes but i do want to do my best for my son.
Berties
Fast and careful!
A few negatives coming out on cheaper bikes here,but you are right to ask questions,and what you get for your money,
I bought a road bike for my boy's,who are 12 and 14 but they look like twins,the problem you will have is the geometry of the bike,and it needs to be looked at,my boys had the stem lengthened as the saddle would not be able to come that far forward to ensure a comfy ride position,and they can reach the brakes,but a to long stem would apparently make the ride twitchy,depending on the needs of the rider it's not just about inside leg,maybe do a little research on the web or speak to a local bike shop even if you don't buy from them you could extract some invaluable information,I started off in halfords looking but returned to my lbs as I get real service and vfm
I bought a road bike for my boy's,who are 12 and 14 but they look like twins,the problem you will have is the geometry of the bike,and it needs to be looked at,my boys had the stem lengthened as the saddle would not be able to come that far forward to ensure a comfy ride position,and they can reach the brakes,but a to long stem would apparently make the ride twitchy,depending on the needs of the rider it's not just about inside leg,maybe do a little research on the web or speak to a local bike shop even if you don't buy from them you could extract some invaluable information,I started off in halfords looking but returned to my lbs as I get real service and vfm
