Which road bike to go for?

[afo999]

ok well i got lazy from driving around in my car to go to a shop that is literally 5 min away just for a snack.
So going to hop back to cycling cause i love it. Used to only cycle hybrid, but now going to make a transition to road bikes.
Just need help on which 5 to choose from:

1) Dawes giro 300
https://www.gumtree.com/p/bicycles/dawes-giro-300-road-racing-bike-bicycle/1272794124

2) Carrera Virtuoso Sora
https://www.gumtree.com/p/bicycles/...luminium-road-bike-as-new-20-52cm-/1272737966

3) Dawes 531 reynolds galaxy
https://www.gumtree.com/p/bicycles/...ur-road-racer-touring-bike-bicycle/1272793325

4) Carrera TDF 7005 T6
https://www.gumtree.com/p/bicycles/carrera-tdf-alu-carbon-road-bike-as-new-21-54cm-/1272738083

5) Btwin Triban 3
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Btwin-Tr...868331?hash=item440e9bcf6b:g:R3EAAOSwEZdZ7JaV

Thank you for your time, your advice would be of much help . £££ is not of an issue.

 

[cyberknight]

I would say they are all overpriced tbh
the triban is probably the best of the lot but it is a small with non standard size wheels so unless your about 5 foot ....
for £300 you can get a brand new bike with similar or better spec along with warranty , set up and you can try for size , assuming you want to go second hand then i dont think any of those listed are worth more than £100 personally .

 

[vickster]

I would say they are all overpriced tbh
the triban is probably the best of the lot but it is a small with non standard size wheels so unless your about 5 foot ....
for £300 you can get a brand new bike with similar or better spec along with warranty , set up and you can try for size , assuming you want to go second hand then i dont think any of those listed are worth more than £100 personally .

SW London prices

Add £50-100 to your budget for suitable locks if leaving outside anywhere in London

If those are the 5 on your list, check the sizes and go look at the ones that are left. Ask to see a receipt or proof of ownership before handing over any cash

 

[stalagmike]

Triban is the best on the list. But your list of bikes varies a bit in size. The Dawes would be ok for me at 6ft 3 but then you've got the Triban that's teeny tiny. I agree with cyberknight above. If money is no object then I'd advise going to a shop and getting some advice about what size you need.

 

[raleighnut]

The Galaxy as long as you're only little.

 

[cyberknight]

The Galaxy as long as you're only little.

If you look its been converted to 1x front ring set up , is it because the shifter is broke ?

 

[cyberknight]

SW London prices

Add £50-100 to your budget for suitable locks if leaving outside anywhere in London

If those are the 5 on your list, check the sizes and go look at the ones that are left. Ask to see a receipt or proof of ownership before handing over any cash

Ahh yesee oop north we dunna pay moran a brass farthing unless it be coated in that thar gold !

 

[vickster]

You can get a new Carrera roadbike or maybe one of the BTWIN tribans at Decathlon for under £300. I’d go that way if budget stretches (don’t forget the locks )

 

[Drago]

That's a lot of different bikes, most of which are from subtly different categories, and most of which aren't natural competitors for one another.

Instead of being guided blindly by budget alone you could...

A. Decide the use to which you will be putting the bike.

B. Write a list of essential attributes.

C. Write a secondary list of desirable attributes.

D. Take A, B, and C and then compare them against bikes within your budget.

E. Create a shortlist of 3.

F. Go test ride the 3.

G. Buy the one you like.

Simply setting a budget and plucking out a number of drop barred bikes is unlikely to yield you the optimum result.

Good luck, and happy hunting!

 

[Velochris]

If you have a few similar spec bike go with the one which you think has the best paint job.

May sound silly but I bought a Time bike years ago in red and black. Saw it in white and realised I would never have gone for it if the red was not available.

 

[afo999]

Thanks guys for your advice.
ummm I should have not mentioned about the money being an issue, because it kind of is an issue. What i meant was not being an issue in that range up to 180.

Well the triban does actually seem small and my previous bike was a 21inch. So thats out.
I would mostly commute to central London. And sometimes like to be competitive and race random strangers till i go past my destination and then eventually get lost.

Anyways I did a bit of research and i think i would maybe go for the first one Dawes giro 300 or the fourth one Carrera TDF 7005 T6.

If not mistaken these are the full specs of the bikes:

Dawes giro 300: https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Dawes-Giro-300-2012-Road-Bike_52149.htm

Carrera TDF: http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/road-bikes/carrera-tdf-mens-ltd-road-bike

 

[afo999]

What do you think guys? Cause from all the replies I read, you are the experts.

 

[vickster]

How tall are you, as they are different sizes. Go try them out

The Carrera Guy seems to be some sort of dealer (of genuine or stolen bikes, don’t know. Probably the former but ask to see a receipt)

And don’t forget the locks if leaving in London all day

 

[Cycleops]

Unless you know what to look for I’d go for new. You’ll avoid stolen, worn out and bent bikes. The only way you will get a used bargain is if it’s been thoroughly checked over. @biggs682 on here may have something, you can be rest assured he won’t sell you a lemon. State your inside leg and height. He can post.
Buying new means you’ll get the right size and it’ll have warranty and the shop will sort any issues.
The Giro at Tredz has gone. If you can push to £300 you’ll have a great selection.

 

[biggs682]

thanks @Cycleops

@afo999 if you are local or passing nr to Wellingborough feel free to pop in and have a look and see whats in the garage just in case you fancy a retro ride