Lightweight racing cycle recommendation.

[socialist]

I'm looking for a lightweight racing cycle, £200 max, but haven't a clue what's good and what's likely to quickly fall apart. Can anyone suggest something?

 

[tobyjug]

£200 you are having a laugh, that would not buy the wheels.

 

[maomao]

£200 you are having a laugh, that would not buy the wheels.

You could get an okay set of wheels for 200, might have to skimp on the tyres though.

This is a reasonable road bike for a little less than twice your budget. Second hand is about your only option on this one.

 

[nogoodboyo]

For 200 notes, it's ebay.

There are high-quality old steel-frame racers to be had, but they'll be 10yrs plus at that price I reckon. But probably still sound in frame.

Or you could get a brand new no-name ally frame racer. Modern components, budget Shimano or something.

I'd rather get something of better quality second hand... much more pissing about, but worth it.

 

[socialist]

You could get an okay set of wheels for 200, might have to skimp on the tyres though.

This is a reasonable road bike for a little less than twice your budget. Second hand is about your only option on this one.

Bleedin’ ’ell I think I'm going to have a look at second hand ones on ebay!

 

[nogoodboyo]

Bleedin’ ’ell I think I'm going to have a look at second hand ones on ebay!

Summat like this, for example:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/TONY-BUTTERWO...177631435QQcategoryZ72573QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

An old bike, but a quality frame and components. Even old Campag components are good, cos they're usually compatible with modern bits (unlike old Shimano, say, which tends to obsolete/unavailable).

Anything with Reynolds or Columbus steel tubing is probably a decent frame.

Edit - and if you take your time, you could pick up a quality old bike like that pretty damn cheap.

 

[christonabike]

Get down the sale at Cycle Surgery

Smart as fuck bikes, you'll get a £350 racer for £200

I got a Marin that costs £660 for £450 cos it had been used for a Fire Station charity ride

AND I LOVE IT!

 

[Sigmund Fraud]

Get down the sale at Cycle Surgery

Smart as fuck bikes, you'll get a £350 racer for £200

I seriously doubt you'll buy a new racer there for under £350

Decathlon sports superstore do a bike for £250 - its ok, not lightweight but compared to a MTB all racers are lightweight..nasty alu fork though. £400 would buy you a Revolution continental race which is a pretty smart bike by all accounts.

Otherwise try the classifieds here

by complete coincidence I am selling a 58cm 531 Framed racer (suit 5'9" to 6'2") with 14 speed shimano indexed gears, mavic rims and upgraded dual pivot brakes for a hell of a lot less than £200 - pm me if you're interested.

 

[nogoodboyo]

Cycle Surgery isn't what you'd call cheap normally. They have a concession in Selfridges ffs!

I'm a bit prejudiced against shops that only sell mainstream brands - so many nice bikes they could be selling, but 90% of the stock is Trek, Giant or Specialized. Wouldn't surprise me if they don't sell any steel bikes either.

(There's nothing wrong with them really, Trek bikes are serviceable even though I didn't like mine at all.)

 

[nogoodboyo]

by complete coincidence I am selling a 58cm 531 Framed racer (suit 5'9" to 6'2") with 14 speed shimano indexed gears, mavic rims and upgraded dual pivot brakes for a hell of a lot less than £200 - pm me if you're interested.

I am if no-one else is! I've been after a (cheap) steel racer for a while.

Don't want to lynch socialist though, if he's keen.

 

[christonabike]

"Cycle Surgery isn't what you'd call cheap normally. They have a concession in Selfridges ffs!"

I'd say this for £450 is:

http://www.cyclesurgery.com/Product...yID/35/v/20cde824-648a-4e5b-9824-4e5d0461b452

But I was lucky

Dunno of the ins and outs of bike buying except: Evans are crap, Condor is great, but they treated me like shite so I fucked them off, and Cycle Surgery sorted me out in 45 seconds of going in there - staff are great and £220 off a decent bike was brilliant

nogoodboyo - you sound like I do when talking about record shops

 

[nogoodboyo]

If you're happy, then that's cool!

I've got some funny ideas, me.

 

[christonabike]

I sort of realised what I was walking into there as it's a big place with lots of branches, but I was determined to ride a bike home that day - I was fucked off at getting home late from the bombs

Anyways, if the original poster has £200, they'll deffo get a bike in London!

Enjoy