Racing Bike

mattw89

Hi All,

I want a bike to do some fast cycling over summer and to do long distance rides mainly on the road.

I'm 5ft 9 and I've been advised for 26" wheel size or something. I'm new to this but I have quite a strict budget that means looking second hand I'd imagine.

My budget is less than £250, any tips or advice or places to buy them. Thanks.

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Nile

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KonkyWonky

Road bikes are measured differently to other bikes, pop in a local bike shop even if it is just for sizing. At a guess you sound like you will need a bike somewhere around 54-58cm.

I'd agree you will get more bang for your buck on a second hand bike, better to go for a good brand name with a decent spec second hand than a cheap brand new bike. You should be able to pick up a second hand Specialized, Trek, Giant or something like that fairly easily.

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

26" wheel size would most likely be a hybrid bike of some description. No problem there, but if you want a true road bike you need to look at bikes with 700c wheels.

Go to a decent bike shop and get measured. If you're in the saddle for more than a couple of hours, you need to be comfortable.

I would advise against second hand if you don't know much about bikes.

jimshorts72

As mentioned - look for something with 700c wheels. These are slightly bigger in circumference that 26" wheels and will mean you bowl along a little faster. Try to get something with appropriately sized tyres (width). Wider is comfier, skinnier is faster but probably harsher ride and need to be more careful with potholes.

The other big thing to look into is the cycle to work scheme (cycleschemeDOTcoDOTuk)- if you are working and your workplace does it then you are potentially looking at a nice fat 30-40% saving on your purchase price. Either nicer bike for your £250 or same bike for less.

Also remember to budget for extras - lock, helmet, cycling shorts, gloves.

Some sites which have good deals on include Merlin cycles, Chainreactioncycles and Wiggle. Not for the purists but Halfords have some good prices on stuff. Also go into your Local Bike Shop and talk to them about what you want to do and see what they can suggest/offer. They're obviously keen to help those new to cycling and you should get some decent advice.

BillScarab

If you're looking to do long distance rides a racing bike may not be ideal, you may be better with a touring bike or an audax bike.

Tourers still have srop bars but are a bit comfier than racers and have fixings for panniers, mudguards etc.

Audax bikes are designed for Audaxes which are long distance rides and somewhere between a racer and a tourer.

bap98189

The best advice I can give you would be to go to a local bike shop (not Halfords) and tell them exactly what you want to do with it. Also tell them what your budget is and they will be able to point you in the right direction. They will be able to let you try the various options so you can see for yourself which is the most suitable.

KonkyWonky

Argos are actually doing a pretty good deal on the Muddyfox Milano (link below).

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/catalogId/1500001501/partNumber/3321717.htm?storeId=10001&referredURL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.argos.co.uk%2Fstatic%2FProduct%2FcatalogId%2F1500001501%2FpartNumber%2F3321717.htm&jspStoreDir=argos&referrer=COJUN&cmpid=COJUN

Pretty decent bike for that price, by no means a great bike but for your budget its a good buy. Definetly try sizes out before you buy though.