Getting into racing bicycles

kicks66

kicks66

kicks66

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Ive been thinking about getting a new bicycle for a while. Ive decided to go down the racing bike route. Im looking to purchase a second hand one off ebay, hopefully relatively cheaply. Im just wondering what the main things are I should be looking out for? Im hoping to not have to spend more than about 30 quid for one, im not looking for anything too spectacular.
 
racing bike? Do you mean a road bike (as opposed to a mountain bike)?

If so for £30 I doubt you will find anything but a rust bucket or a halfords basic one that has been left in the shed for a year or two, sorry to say.
 
Firstly Sports Arena would be a better place for this.
Secondly £30? Even second hand you won't get that, in fact a bike being sold for scrap would probably fetch about that.
 
Amp34 said:
racing bike? Do you mean a road bike (as opposed to a mountain bike)?

If so for £30 I doubt you will find anything but a rust bucket or a halfords basic one that has been left in the shed for a year or two, sorry to say.
Click to expand...

Yer a road bike.

Perhaps £30 was a bit low, I just know one of my friends recently purchased what looks to be quite a good old Peugeot one for that price, what sort of price should I expect to be paying?
 
Depends if you want a second hand cheap and cheerful Halfords one or a decent make like Trek or Specialised. I have no idea on prices but I would guess around £70 for a good condition cheap one and £200+ for older decent makes? (complete guess though).
 
For a reasonable second hand bike made by a known manufacture look at spending between £200-£350. £30 will get you a POS.
Decent new bikes start around £500 & good high spec your looking at spending £2000+

As for things to check, hubs to see if there is any play in the bearings, they can be ajusted but only so much.
Check all the welds on the frame for cracks or aceident damage,
same for the handlebar any cracks they will need replacing.

Crank, check for play or any odd noises when rotating.
Wheels, make sure they rotate freely (no sticking hubs etc) Also they are not bent.
Stem, check for free movement, if it is stiff, may indicate worn bearings or aciedent damage
Gearing, check that gear change is smooth up & down, sloppy change indicates a worn cassette or chain.
 
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Yer, im not looking to do any sort of races or anything, just use it for general cycling around, always wanted to have a racing style one.

Cheers for the tips though, im sure theyll apply for these bikes as well.
 
There's no reason why you couldn't get a reasonable bike off ebay for under £100, but getting the right size, one that is rideable from purchase, is close enough to pick up (a lot of the cheaper bikes on ebay will be pick up only) can be tough. My current bike is and 80s Raleigh that I found on ebay and i love it (although everything but the frame and handlebars have been changed)
 
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