Cheap Road Bike

[williamp78]

I'm thinking of getting a new road bike however it would only be for very occasional use therefore I'm looking to get something as cheap as possible.

Would love to get a cheap road bike but realise that cheap=crap so wouldn't say no to a hybrid if the price was right. Would also like something new rather than an ebay purchase.

Any advice in regards to cheaper models and places to get them?

 

[LugHugger]

Could you define 'cheap' please?

 

[mewmewmew13]

depends on if you want to enjoy riding it.
Looking for 'cheap' only may lead to a waste of money.

 

[k_gibbo]

I would say if you have a low budget get something used. There are always good deals on bikes that are a few years old. If a bike is maintained and well looked after it can last a VERY long time.

 

[hfer07]

there are two questions for you:

What is your budget?
Are you looking for Aluminum or Carbon Frame?

 

[42x16ss]

there are two questions for you:

What is your budget?
Are you looking for Aluminum or Carbon Frame?

I'll say specify your bedget as well.

However if you are looking for something good enough to start you off in the sport, that could be worth upgrading in the future then I'd start by looking at:

Merida Road Race
Giant TCR/Defy Alliance
Cannondale CAAD 8
Scott Speedster
Specialized Allez
Felt F75

These are good starting points for cheap and cheery (all are sub $2k) entry level bikes that should last you quite a while if they are well maintained. If you catch the bug and start racing, a lighter wheelset will make a big difference to all of these bikes.

 

[Afrank]

what types of riding do you want it for? Racing? commuting? joy riding? get back in shape?

 

[williamp78]

Sorry for not replying sooner. I'm looking to get into better shape so wouldn't be commuting; just a bit of exercise. To be honest I dont really have a frame of reference in regards to how much anything actually costs or about any manufacturers. I suppose I could stretch to £750-1000 but would love to get it cheaper (which I realise may mean second hand)

I'm from Belfast, northern Ireland if that makes a difference in regards to sourcing a bike.

And I appreciate the help

 

[LugHugger]

Sorry for not replying sooner. I'm looking to get into better shape so wouldn't be commuting; just a bit of exercise. To be honest I dont really have a frame of reference in regards to how much anything actually costs or about any manufacturers. I suppose I could stretch to £750-1000 but would love to get it cheaper (which I realise may mean second hand)

I'm from Belfast, northern Ireland if that makes a difference in regards to sourcing a bike.

And I appreciate the help

Ah, in that case get yourself to Halfords and try the Boardman range. They're serious bang for buck.

 

[Llewellyn]

Ribble or CRC worth a try

Ribble have a bike builder programme where you can select the frame and components to suit your budget. Their bikes have a good reputation for value for money and quality. And Chain Reaction are based in Northern Ireland somewhere, they'd surely have something to suit the OP's budget

 

[eljimberino]

Yes used. But be aware you will always end up spending more on cycling than you first think. Tubes, helmet, clothes etc. If you get hooked on cycling that's where all your money will go. But it's a healthy addiction.

 

[JayKosta]

For exercise and 'getting into shape', you do not need a 'race bike' or one that is light weight.
Depending on the roads & hills that you will be riding, a single-speed, coaster brake, fat tire bike might be fine.
But if there are serious hills (not just short 'rises') then a bike with multiple gears would be best.

To get the most benefit & enjoyment -
1) bike shorts with padding, or at least shorts that do not have a thick seam over your 'soft parts'.
2) a comfortable bike seat - they all hurt at first but after about 3 rides you'll know whether it is ok.
3) handlebars adjusted for comfortable reach & support.
4) padded bar tape on the handlebars and gloves so your hands don't hurt.
5) a bike helmet
6) carry a spare tire tube, small patch kit, bike tire irons, small wrench, and pump.

Jay Kosta
Endwell NY USA

 

[Notso Swift]

I would add shoes and peddles to the above, they don't need to be road specific but the do need to be cycling specific, ie a SPD type touring may be fine for your needs


If you do want a road bike I would say anything with 105/Veloce upwards and a Alu. frame is probably going to tick 99% of boxes for performance and value. Make sure they have good solid (high spoke count) wheels, none of this 20 spoke stuff if you are not racing and are carrying a kg or 2..

Second hand bike will most likely be the best, you can easily get something that could be 3 years old that someone bought with "good intentions" and rode 5 times.
Get a run-out at the minimum, Canyon are decent and start below 900GBP

 

[dsut4392]

Ribble have a bike builder programme where you can select the frame and components to suit your budget. Their bikes have a good reputation for value for money and quality. And Chain Reaction are based in Northern Ireland somewhere, they'd surely have something to suit the OP's budget

I'd second both those suggestions as starting points.

I'm very happy with my Ribble Scuro which I bought while living in the UK. One of their alloy Sportive or Winter/training bikes kitted out with 105 (compact double and 11-25 cassette) should come in around the £900 mark.

CRC have (or had in 2008 anyway) an impressive shop & showroom out near Belfast airport, and I believe they do some clearance sales through there also.

Buying second-hand is of course the best way of saving some money, but also the best way of buying something worn out or at least badly in need of some mechanical TLC. Fine if you know what you're doing, but can be asking for trouble otherwise.

 

[bikonator]

Just go to BIKE-DEALS.com

http://bike-deals.com

You can compare all bikes and decide.

Chears

 

[Caruut]

I ride a Ribble too. It's less than it'd be from a big brand with similar gear on it. Not sure if they ship to NI - that's something you'd have to check.

People often say Ribble's customer service is rubbish - it's not fantastic. My bike took a while to arrive, I emailed and they said the frame was out of stock in my size, but upgraded me for free. Swings and roundabouts, really.

I had a Boardman Hybrid before that, that I sold to my dad to part-fund the new Ribble. Because Halfords are just the distributor, and the sole distributor, but don't carry large amounts of Boardman stock, replacement parts can be a bit of a fuss, otherwise just go to an LBS for replacements.

 

[Notso Swift]

Don't Wiggle do Boardman?

What frame parts are there, Der hanger, maybe seat clamp, as you say LBS will have everything apart from that

 

[Caruut]

Don't Wiggle do Boardman?

What frame parts are there, Der hanger, maybe seat clamp, as you say LBS will have everything apart from that

My issue was because I had a road wheel with a disc brake on the hybrid, which none of the LBS stocked.

EDIT: My actual point was that if you have a warranty issue, it might take a while.

Also, "Here at Halfords we're proud to be the exclusive retail partner for Boardman Bikes in the UK and Ireland."
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/...&langId=-1&articleId=717219&categoryId=245301

 

[LugHugger]

Wiggle are Boardmans global sales channel excluding UK & Ireland where Halfords have the license as you say.
Halfords have discounted some of the Boardman road range by £100 on their site making what were already good value bikes a steal!
I wouldn't use Halfords for servicing post purchase though, find a decent LBS.

 

[Notso Swift]

Wiggle are Boardmans global sales channel excluding UK & Ireland where Halfords have the license as you say.
Halfords have discounted some of the Boardman road range by £100 on their site making what were already good value bikes a steal!
I wouldn't use Halfords for servicing post purchase though, find a decent LBS.

That explains it then, cheers

 

[dsut4392]

I ride a Ribble too. It's less than it'd be from a big brand with similar gear on it. Not sure if they ship to NI - that's something you'd have to check.

People often say Ribble's customer service is rubbish - it's not fantastic. My bike took a while to arrive, I emailed and they said the frame was out of stock in my size, but upgraded me for free. Swings and roundabouts, really.

They're not as quick nor as slick as CRC or Wiggle, to be sure. My bike took a little under two weeks to be delivered to SW England, vs next-day typically from the others. That said, their "bike-builder" bikes really are exactly that, even if you go for the stock configuration. i.e. they will be picking a naked frame off the shelf, individually selecting the components & building it up, as opposed to simply mailing a pre-built boxed-up bike. That comes with the usual pros and cons - you can swap out basically any part you like and pay only the difference in parts price, but if any one part goes out of stock, or Jimmy calls in sick (made up scenario, they may not have an employee called Jimmy), your bike will be delayed.
IME in 2008, emails took about 24 hours to get a response, their website only worked in Explorer, their online payment system was partially broken, and when the bike did ship it took 3 days not 2 to arrive. On the phone they certainly weren't following a customer service script, and bagged out their own web developer and payment processor for being rubbish instead of toeing the company line.