Road Bike £600 budget... 1st or 2nd Hand?

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Guyvers

Regular
So pretty much as the title says...

I already have a Giant Hybrid but wanting to get a road bike. Have looked at all the big brands but pretty much they're all Claris and coming from a 10speed (Deore) I'm thinking an 8 speed might feel a little disappointing.

That in mind second hand seems the only way to go?! Would you guys (and girls) recommend saving up and waiting for the sales or will claris be just fine for my first roadie?

What would you do??

I'm 5'8" with 31" inseam so thinking 52-54" frame.

Thanks in advance

Justin
 

vickster

Legendary Member
You'll get much better components second hand but stocks are limited, difficult to access and prices relatively high

As example, new your budget will get you this in 52cm, check the geometry, 9 speed Sora (the number of gears doesn’t matter so much, people rarely use all, the ratios the important thing)
https://www.paulscycles.co.uk/238/products/merida-scultura-200-road-bike-2018-dark-grey.aspx

Or this in small (or poss medium, get shop advice),
https://www.ashcycles.com/site/defy-contend-range-2017/giant-contend-1-2017

or Sora at £475 available in 53cm option
https://www.merlincycles.com/merlin-pr7-sora-alloy-road-bike-2019-114766.html
 
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DSK

Senior Member
Size wise a 52cm may be too small so I'd say 54cm (bearing in mind 54cm will be subject to a little difference between brands).

Nothing wrong with 10 speed but, I personally wouldn't want less than 10 speed.

For your budget you should be able to get something decent from the classifieds but, at present people seem to be taking piss. However, I have seen a couple disk braked Giant Defy 1's advertised for circa £750. So a decent spec'd bike should be able to be had for £600 provided you just be patient and wait for a decent seller to advertise something decent at sensible price.

Also for a similar price, you can have the following new;
Cannodale CAAD with Claris from Evans
Trek Domane AL3 with Sora from Evans
Specialized Allez with the most basic spec is £680 from Evans.

So no way should you be paying £600 for a second hand bike with a basic spec but, personally I'd say be patient flicking the classifieds and something nice will come your way.
 

vickster

Legendary Member
Size wise a 52cm may be too small so I'd say 54cm (bearing in mind 54cm will be subject to a little difference between brands).

Nothing wrong with 10 speed but, I personally wouldn't want less than 10 speed.

For your budget you should be able to get something decent from the classifieds but, at present people seem to be taking piss. However, I have seen a couple disk braked Giant Defy 1's advertised for circa £750. So a decent spec'd bike should be able to be had for £600 provided you just be patient and wait for a decent seller to advertise something decent at sensible price.

Also for a similar price, you can have the following new;
Cannodale CAAD with Claris from Evans
Trek Domane AL3 with Sora from Evans
Specialized Allez with the most basic spec is £680 from Evans.

So no way should you be paying £600 for a second hand bike with a basic spec but, personally I'd say be patient flicking the classifieds and something nice will come your way.
As long as that 52 is the effective TT (and not the seat tube for example)
 
OP
OP
G

Guyvers

Regular
You'll get much better components second hand but stocks are limited, difficult to access and prices relatively high

As example, new your budget will get you this in 52cm, check the geometry, 9 speed Sora (the number of gears doesn’t matter so much, people rarely use all, the ratios the important thing)
https://www.paulscycles.co.uk/238/products/merida-scultura-200-road-bike-2018-dark-grey.aspx

Or this in small (or poss medium, get shop advice),
https://www.ashcycles.com/site/defy-contend-range-2017/giant-contend-1-2017

or Sora at £475 available in 53cm option
https://www.merlincycles.com/merlin-pr7-sora-alloy-road-bike-2019-114766.html
Some good options there. If I can I'd like something from 2018 onwards so it comes with sora 3000 as opposed to 3500.

Many thanks for the links.
 
OP
OP
G

Guyvers

Regular
Size wise a 52cm may be too small so I'd say 54cm (bearing in mind 54cm will be subject to a little difference between brands).

Nothing wrong with 10 speed but, I personally wouldn't want less than 10 speed.

For your budget you should be able to get something decent from the classifieds but, at present people seem to be taking piss. However, I have seen a couple disk braked Giant Defy 1's advertised for circa £750. So a decent spec'd bike should be able to be had for £600 provided you just be patient and wait for a decent seller to advertise something decent at sensible price.

Also for a similar price, you can have the following new;
Cannodale CAAD with Claris from Evans
Trek Domane AL3 with Sora from Evans
Specialized Allez with the most basic spec is £680 from Evans.

So no way should you be paying £600 for a second hand bike with a basic spec but, personally I'd say be patient flicking the classifieds and something nice will come your way.
To clarify my hybrid is 10 speed deore which is fine, hence why I don't want to go lower than sora.

The cassette is 11-36 so a 9 speed at say 11-34 should feel similar as far as gapping goes.
 

vickster

Legendary Member
Some good options there. If I can I'd like something from 2018 onwards so it comes with sora 3000 as opposed to 3500.

Many thanks for the links.
2018 Contend 1
https://www.ashcycles.com/site/-c-971/giant-contend-1-2018
and 2019
https://www.ashcycles.com/site/defy-contend-range-2019/giant-contend-1-2019
 
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Montygraphics

New Member
Claris is good and reliable and spares are cheap. When I started on a road bike I bought a £230 Btwin 500SE from Decathlon with 8 speed Microshift gears and a Claris Chainset. This is now my bad weather bike and I still enjoy riding it. Have a look at Decathlon road bikes as they are remarkable for the money.
 
OP
OP
G

Guyvers

Regular
Quick question...

Will I really notice a difference from 25c to 28c tyres? If so should I be budgeting for a decent set of tyres also as I've read that can make a noticeable difference for a relatively low cost.
 

vickster

Legendary Member
Quick question...

Will I really notice a difference from 25c to 28c tyres? If so should I be budgeting for a decent set of tyres also as I've read that can make a noticeable difference for a relatively low cost.
Not in my experience. If you think you might want 28s make sure any bike you choose will take then. Replace tyres when they need replacing (ie regular punctures).
You can get 2 x tyres for £50-60.
Clearly any used bike may come with worn tyres
 
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si_c

Guru
Location
Wirral
For £600 I'd suggest something like the Triban from Decathlon if you are looking for new. Second hand will be much better value for money though overall, but you may have to wait a little longer to find the perfect bike.
 
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