spec me a racer (bike) on the cheap.

.:SAmSuNG:. · 25 Apr 2013 at 10:10

I'm after a racer to get to and from work which is about 4km each way. Just want to make the ride as fast and painless as possible while maybe getting into road riding.

My budget is around £200 and I'm 5,11 13st.

I know it isn't a lot but I don't need anything amazing. Just the best for the budget.

Thanks.

[DOD]Asprilla · 25 Apr 2013 at 10:33

I don't think anyone does a road bike for £200 I'm afraid.

Halfords list one (http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_912087_langId_-1_categoryId_165710) but its only available as a small so probably old stock.

The Triban 3 from Decathlon for £299 is probably the best entry level road bike you can get. A number of people on these boards ride them.

Other option is second hand.

grudas · 25 Apr 2013 at 11:08

yup triban3

if you buy anything for 200 quid you'll soon spend the extra 100 on broken parts and won't have half the bike that triban is.

i own one

or you can get a single speed bike that will probably work a lot better than a cheap geared bike

my little brother bought one of those ebay chinese specials for 180 and it has been doing the job fine.. he rides 10 miles/day to work and back

its heavy, the gearing is low IMO and it looks cheap.. but it works

touch · 25 Apr 2013 at 11:16

grudas said:
or you can get a single speed bike that will probably work a lot better than a cheap geared bike my little brother bought one of those ebay chinese specials for 180 and it has been doing the job fine..

Thats a good shout. I also have one that i run as a fixed gear. Not much to go wrong on it. I'v taken mine on 60-70mile club runs with no problems.

uniQ · 25 Apr 2013 at 11:33

Theres a bunch of bright green vikings appearing in the bike racks they appear to be within your budget:

http://www.rutlandcycling.com/c/918/Road-bikes.html?fbrand=546&Page=1

[DOD]Asprilla · 25 Apr 2013 at 11:42

uniQ said:
Theres a bunch of bright green vikings appearing in the bike racks they appear to be within your budget:

http://www.rutlandcycling.com/c/918/Road-bikes.html?fbrand=546&Page=1

Are those thumb shifters on top of the handlebars?

.:SAmSuNG:. · 25 Apr 2013 at 12:34

I saw those Vikings on ebay. Are they really crappy?

The triban looks great just more than I originally wanted to spend. Will keep it in mind.

grudas · 25 Apr 2013 at 12:45

i wouldn't take on for free tbh...

Vonhelmet · 25 Apr 2013 at 13:13

The Triban 3 is your best bet, or you go second hand.

As said, for 4km either way, unless that's going up a massive hill, single speed could be a good shout.

pumaz · 25 Apr 2013 at 21:16

.:SAmSuNG:. said:
I saw those Vikings on ebay. Are they really crappy?

The triban looks great just more than I originally wanted to spend. Will keep it in mind.

You say "wanted to spend" does this mean you can afford to spend more?

You could spend the next two weeks researching the best budget bike and in the end you'll come back to the Triban 3! Seriously it is so go buy it and spend all that saved research time on riding it

.:SAmSuNG:. · 25 Apr 2013 at 21:26

I'm going to scrap my car and use the money from that to buy it. I'm pretty skint but again don't want yo buy a load of crap. Is there any good way of sizing one so I don't need to visit a shop?

6thElement · 26 Apr 2013 at 00:32

I've been commuting on a cheap ebay ss road bike for 5 years now, well worth the 150 quid I paid.

grudas · 26 Apr 2013 at 08:08

6thElement said:
I've been commuting on a cheap ebay ss road bike for 5 years now, well worth the 150 quid I paid.

yup.. this is your best option if you want something that will work tbh

as i've mentioned of course.

[DOD]Asprilla · 26 Apr 2013 at 09:43

.:SAmSuNG:. said:
I'm going to scrap my car and use the money from that to buy it. I'm pretty skint but again don't want yo buy a load of crap. Is there any good way of sizing one so I don't need to visit a shop?

It's best to sit on them but how tall are you and what's your inside leg measurement (the real one, not the length of jeans you buy).