What road bike, *very* limited budget £300 tops.

[Trojan Hussar]

I have an ageing Trax TR1 MTB which I bought about six years ago and it spent much of this time under a tarp. Over the past couple of years, I managed to drop about 3 stone in weight and started cycling again. Since then I've done about 3,000 miles on the old beast, I'm mostly on the road although living in a rural area some of the roads are a little rough and ready. I'd like to do some longer rides, but at the moment my main issue is speed (or lack of it), the TR1 is heavy (19kg) and slow and I'm averaging a paltry 12-14mph on the rides I'm doing at the moment. I ditched nobbly tyres and now run on Schwalbe semi-slicks but in the long term I think I'm really looking at a road bike.

It doesn't need to be particularly lightweight, but it does need to be reasonably sturdy as I'm 6' tall and 95kg.

Any suggestions?
Thanks,
TH.

 

[jamin100]

Triban 3 from decathlon

Next ....

 

[Fab Foodie]

Triban 3 from decathlon

Next ....

This. There's no competition unless you go second hand.

 

[SteCenturion]

Triban 3 or Carrera Zelos £269 or Carrera TdF £329 both Halfords.

Personally I would try for a 1 yr old Giant Defy or Cube Peloton on ebay, lots around so you could stick to your limit & be choosey.

For the £££ you will get by far a better bike.

 

[tudor_77]

+1 for the Triban 3. Currently on offer for a meagre £250

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-3-red-road-bike-id_8274036.html

If you're local branch does not your size in stock, then phone around the different branches as they will post it out for you for about a tenner.

Triban 3 gets rave reviews, basically a £600+ bike for silly money. Tempted to pick one up myself as a second Road Bike.

 

[biggs682]

This. There's no competition unless you go second hand.

2nd hand every time

 

[tudor_77]

Might take quite a bit of time to find the right bargain second hand and only advisable if OP knows a lot about bikes and how to spot a duffer (so to speak). Personally I would take Triban 3, Triban 3A or Carrera TDF over a gamble on a used bike if I didn't feel confident enough to spot a real bargain.

 

[biggs682]

buy from a reliable seller would save any worry re buying 2nd hand , plus op could try actual bike before hand

Might take quite a bit of time to find the right bargain second hand and only advisable if OP knows a lot about bikes and how to spot a duffer (so to speak). Personally I would take Triban 3, Triban 3A or Carrera TDF over a gamble on a used bike if I didn't feel confident enough to spot a real bargain.

 

[Stephen C]

Have a look at Merlin cycles, I bought the S2200 for £300 two years ago, ive done nearly 8000 miles on it, brilliant bike and Merlin are a brilliant company with great customer service.

 

[Fab Foodie]

2nd hand every time

What ... and risk ending-up with something as lovely as this?

 

[vickster]

@biggs682

http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/54cm-sized-racing-bike-ideal-as-commuter-or.155082/#post-3097625

But might be too small?

 

[vickster]

Carerra zelos only £242 this weekend, less another 10% for bc members

 

[cyberknight]

+1 for the Triban 3. Currently on offer for a meagre £250

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-3-red-road-bike-id_8274036.html

If you're local branch does not your size in stock, then phone around the different branches as they will post it out for you for about a tenner.

Triban 3 gets rave reviews, basically a £600+ bike for silly money. Tempted to pick one up myself as a second Road Bike.

Pity its only for the smallest size with 650 c wheels.

 

[biggs682]

Carerra zelos only £242 this weekend, less another 10% for bc members

these get cheaper every week