total beginner after some basic advice?

[buzzy bee]

Hi

I am buzzy bee, (Because we are beekeepers)

I do hell of alot of cycling, rarely using my car anymore, but am using a mountain bike. I went to see a friend last night, he has a racing bike in his shed, I commented on it, and he said he bought it second hand for about £100, but hasn't used it much recently as he has no one to cycle with. I said I would look into getting a bike simmilar to his, to go with him.

This is where the questions begin, I have about £100 to spend, and like to buy second hand items, as so much material is wasted. I would like an ally frame is possible, but am unsure of what to look for, where to look etc.

Any advice at all will be much apriciated.

I also have a few old bicycles, ranging from the 1930's to a C1879 Ordinary cycle, which I am out on tomrow.

Cheers and look forward to your replies

Dave

P.S... I am in South Cheshire

 

[Garz]

Make sure you get the right size, the rest can be tweaked/changed!

 

[summerdays]

Welcome - I'm not much help but I would like to see photos of your bikes?

And Grommit would probably like to talk bees with you... as she was telling us recently that she was going to get a hive and all the bits to go with it.

 

[buzzy bee]

Hi

I posted a short video about my penny farthing in a thread last night:-

http://www.cyclechat.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=28661&page=3

I will get some pics up later, about to go to a rally with the PF.

I really want to get involved in road cycling now though, got an unbelievable urge!

Cheers

Dave

 

[garrilla]

YOu don't say what size you will need, but ebay can be good if you're lucky.

Here's a bike in Congelton, which if the right size, looks right up your street
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ORIGINAL-F-MO...66:2|39:1|72:1688|240:1318|301:1|293:1|294:50

 

[willem]

Best buys are probably older steel road bikes. Try getting one with 57 mm drop brakes rather than the modern 49 mm. More drop allows you to fit wider tyres, and that makes the bike more versatile. Avoid bikes with fancy wheels. Traditional wheels with 32 or preferably 36 spokes are more reliable. Down tube or bar end shifters are more reliable in the long run. Look for signs of crash damage, and avoid a bike like that.
Willem

 

[Sittingduck]

Down tube or bar end shifters are more reliable in the long run.

Is this true?

 

[willem]

Yes, sti are more fragile, and impossible to repair. Thus, many classic touring bikes are equipped with bar end shifters, and in the audax community these also have a strong following.
Willem

 

[accountantpete]

Where abouts in South Cheshire are you? I have an aluminium frame/forks you could have - unfortunately the Bottom Bracket needs cutting out so if you fancy spending some time on it you could have the frame in exchange for a jar of honey.

It's 56cm centre to top,has no manufacturers name but was bought from Dave Hindes in Northwich about 10 years ago.

The only problem is that the rest of the kit, -you will need the handlebar type shifters - will cost you more than £100.

 

[Bigtwin]

Yes, sti are more fragile, and impossible to repair.

Unless you have Campagnolo ones of course.

 

[Theseus]

I you have an organisation in your area that recycle bikes like The Bike Station in Edinburgh, you should be able to pick up a reasonable bike secondhand

 

[Gromit]

Hiya and welcome Buzzy Bee hope you find the bike your looking for, if your local tip still has an area where you can buy bikes it might be worth having a look there. Just the other week a couple of friends got a decent bike out of a skip. The mind boggles at why people just throw useful things away like that.

Just had my beekeeping dreams dashed, looks like I wont be able to have an allotment till next year.

 

[buzzy bee]

Hiya and welcome Buzzy Bee hope you find the bike your looking for, if your local tip still has an area where you can buy bikes it might be worth having a look there. Just the other week a couple of friends got a decent bike out of a skip. The mind boggles at why people just throw useful things away like that.

Just had my beekeeping dreams dashed, looks like I wont be able to have an allotment till next year.

Hi

You don't need an allotment, they can be kept allmost anywhere! PM, me if you want to talk bees any time!

Cheers

Dave

 

[buzzy bee]

Hi

Forgot to say, how do you measure ready for a frame, I am about 6 foot tall, and have a leg of about 33/34"?

Cheers

Dave

 

[Randochap]

Is this true?

Uh, huh.