What Would You Say to This?

[vickster]

Ah but you pay almost no tax

 

[Octet]

The Allez will have a fairly aggressive riding position but well bolted together for sure - I'd go for that over the Raleigh which has an alloy not carbon fork. It will however take a rack and guards more easily which may be important if going to be using for commuting (or going to college).

Go have a looksie and a test ride

Thanks, at a beginning level I don't particularly want to go all 'Tour De France' style. I've just emailed a local shop which stocks Raleigh to see if they have one in stock that I could go and look at. Looking forward to buying it, not sure if my pocket agrees but that is another matter.

Again, sorry about the links... probably enough here to open your own search engine

 

[Sittingduck]

What about the second hand Secteur?

 

[Octet]

What about the second hand Secteur?

Too small, the frame is a 58 and I need a 61 plus I am still growing. Shame though, by the sounds of it, it would of been a good deal.

 

[Sittingduck]

Pity - would have been a good match of your requirements, I reckon.

Do you have many LBS' to choose from? You linked to Evans, above (no pun). Is there one local?

 

[vickster]

Too small, the frame is a 58 and I need a 61 plus I am still growing. Shame though, by the sounds of it, it would of been a good deal.

Blimey how tall are you at what age??

 

[Octet]

Blimey how tall are you at what age??

I'm 16 and 182 cm. I think that frame size is correct, I used an online calculator which took my height and leg length to give me the frame size and pedal length.

182 cm Height
92 cm Inside Leg

http://www.ebicycles.com/bicycle-to...tf8=✓&u=cm&r=man&h=1820.0&i=900.0&b=Calculate

 

[vickster]

61cm sounds very big for a roadbike at your height (5'11-6'0 just) - the guys who are 6'4-6'6 ride the 61s...at 6ft, a 58cm is probably spot on actually. http://www.evanscycles.com/help/bike-sizing#road

I am 5'10 and ride a 55cm. 92cm inside leg is 36" - massively long given the 182cm height - are you a guy or a girl?

 

[aJohnson]

Frame size is dependent on the bike. Different bikes have different frame sizes, so there isn't a universal size chart. I'm 188cm height and 87cm inside leg and I'm on a 58cm Trek frame.#

But 61 seems very big for your height.

 

[Octet]

Frame size is dependent on the bike. Different bikes have different frame sizes, so there isn't a universal size chart. I'm 188cm height and 87cm inside leg and I'm on a 58cm Trek frame.#

But 61 seems very big for your height.

Shall look into it then, I've short listed the two Raleigh and Specialized bikes and shall give a call to the cycle club guy. Shall be a busy day, going to about three bicycle shops and hopefully, walking out with one (obviously only if there is one which is comfortable, fits and I like it)

Any advice to look out for on the bike if I do go and see it? Any things to check, any where in particular to look for damage/wear and tear?

 

[aJohnson]

Shall look into it then, I've short listed the two Raleigh and Specialized bikes and shall give a call to the cycle club guy. Shall be a busy day, going to about three bicycle shops and hopefully, walking out with one (obviously only if there is one which is comfortable, fits and I like it)

Any advice to look out for on the bike if I do go and see it? Any things to check, any where in particular to look for damage/wear and tear?

I'm not knowledgeable in that area but I'm sure are people on here who are. I'd just suggest to look for cracks, check wheels are true, make sure size is correct.

 

[Octet]

Ok, the Secteur has gone but I've just got an email back concerning the stock that one shop has. They don't have the Raleigh 100 but they do have the Raleigh 400 which they've reduced to £500 and are agreeing to negotiate.

Which one, Raleigh 400 or Specialized Allez?

 

[vickster]

Got links to the specs? Also you need to try to test ride to see which suits YOU better - bikes of the same price aren't the same in other ways

 

[Octet]

Ok, test rode it and it felt really good!
It is four series above the Raleigh 100 and so is in theory a lot better, plus it was a lot cheaper. £450 for a £750 bike.

It felt slightly strange to be on a road bike, but it was comfortable and so I've purchased it. Should be delivered tomorrow afternoon, I didn't want to ride it back half way around the island on the busiest coast road when I haven't fully gotten used to it.

I can't wait though, I compared the parts with the Allez (to the best of my ability) and the ones on the 400 where higher then on the Allez or the same.

Thanks for all the help!

 

[postman]

If you have bought the Raleigh Airlite 400 for £450 a BIG well done to you,a nice bike with 105 on it.Evans are selling at a lot higher than that so well done at hunting tha one down.