Need Advice on Purchasing a Road Bike

frewer on 18/04/2016 - 14:07
Last edited 18/04/2016 - 15:43 by 1 other user

My good old ( was free ) trusty Schiwe is broken and I can't fix it, I got a $220 quote for fixing it. So I think the $ is better off putting toward a new one.

The thing is I have idea about bikes … what should I look for ?
I found an old topic about Road bike sizing advice, how do you even measure the frame ? I'm 168cm tall.
Here are a few bikes I found on gumtree.
Avanti
16 speed Giant
Avanti Pista
Merida Juliet Road 904

EDIT: Don't worry about the sizing, as I only use the bike as to get me from A to B.

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  sweefu on 18/04/2016 - 14:29

  If I were you I would buy a new Cell or Reid bike.

  They're decent enough, have free servicing, and if you buy in store you will get one thats fit you properly, which is important regardless of how much you're riding.

  • 

    frewer on 18/04/2016 - 15:18

    Will it cost less than $500 ?
    How essential is the service tha tto be done by "professional" as oppose to "home done" the service ?

    • 

      fossilfuel on 18/04/2016 - 19:58

      +1

      If you want a really basic road bike, the Reid condor is good. Had mine for roughly 4 years now with 1500kms on it. Haven't needed to adjust the brakes until 1 month ago and only had a change the wheels once after a minor accident. Not too pricey at $299 but they did bump it up from $279 in the past (also gave me ~$120 worth of accessories at that time).

      https://www.reidcycles.com.au/condor-road-bike.html

      Unless you have the tools, you'll need to take it in to re-align the spokes. Changing wheels are a pain, some new wheels just don't go on so best let the professionals do that (unless you want to spend hours trying to get new wheels on). Otherwise, basic stuff like cleaning the chain, adjusting the brakes, changing brake wires (if they break) are really easy to learn, should be done regularly and can be done at home.

      • 

        Euphemistic on 18/04/2016 - 20:17

        +1

        Switching wheels shouldn't be difficult. They are designed to be relatively easy to remove so you can fix a puncture.

      • 

        frewer on 18/04/2016 - 20:55

        Hmm that sound like a feasible idea

      • 

        fossilfuel on 18/04/2016 - 21:11

        @Euphemistic:

        Removing wheels aren't too hard, it's putting the new ones on that's hard. In this case, the kenda wheels were pretty easy to take off but chucking on the new wheels were a nightmare.

      • 

        Euphemistic on 19/04/2016 - 08:35

        +1

        @fossilfuel: oh, you mean tyres. Yes, tyres can be near impossible to get on/off. I've had trouble with kenda ones too.

      • 

        fossilfuel on 19/04/2016 - 18:41

        @Euphemistic:

        Yes, thank you for that correction. The Reid tyre levers are horrible when it comes to taking the kenda tyres off let alone putting new ones on. That should be left to a professional unless you want to be huffing and puffing for 3 hours.

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  Euphemistic on 18/04/2016 - 16:00

  Bike size doe matter, it is the most important factor, especially for a road bike. Cruisers are more forgiving, as are basic mountain bikes.

  At 168cm you probably need a medium frame, but check the online bike fit guides. I'm 181cm and take either medium or large depending on frame, bike style, brand etc.

  Avanti: Probably too small for you.
  Giant: might be too small, looks small to me.
  Avanti Pista: track bike, no brakes, no gears, no freewheel. Not so good for 'just getting a-b'
  Merida: Female specific frame, also possibly on the small side.

  Servicing done by a professional is a bit hit and miss. As in, unless you have a good local bike shop the servicing can be expensive and no better than what you can do at home. Most things on a bike can be fixed fairly easily with some basic tools and some google-fu. Lube the chain, tweak the gears, change tyres. There are some specialty tools that come in handy once you get the hang of it.

  • 

    STRAPIFY Watch Strap on 18/04/2016 - 16:14

    Disagree.

    You will need a Small/Medium (52cm) bike (best advice is to check brand sizing chart). A medium (54cm) is generally designated for someone 172 to 178cm tall.

    For something around $500, go for a second hand Giant Defy 3 or 4. You can usually find a cheap bike from time to time. For $500, you can usually find a second hand bike that retailed for over $1000.

    Sizing is important as it'll be much more comfortable to ride on and so that you won't look like a monkey on a bike.

    • 

      Euphemistic on 18/04/2016 - 16:21

      Fair enough, but still looks like those bikes listed are too small.

      Also depends on your body dimensions. I've got short legs so a larger frame works OK for me than would otherwise work. I can lower the seat but be comfortable with the reach to the handlebars.

      As for measuring a frame, it's a bit hard to do given the changes in frame shapes. Best way is to look for the frame size sticker on the bike. The old way was to measure the distance between the crank axle (bottom bracket) and the middle of the top tube at the seat tube junction.

      But yeah, for $500 sdomething second hand should be a good buy. You can also find a good bike for as little as $200 if you know what you are looking for.

  • 

    frewer on 18/04/2016 - 20:42

    | Lube the chain, tweak the gears, change tyres

    I have done those b4, but this time it is out of hands

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  captobvious on 18/04/2016 - 19:22

  Sizing is one thing, also need to consider the geometry of the bike/frame. Some bikes have their bb sit lower on the frame to lower the centre of gravity, angles of headtube dropouts affect the feel and sizing too, some frames are longer for people with longer bodies, some brands compensate with longer stems/goosenecks for bigger longer shorter whatever riders etc.

  Best to go into a store sit on a bike, ride it around the car park to see what suits.

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  [Deactivated] on 18/04/2016 - 19:57

  What needs fixing on the old bike?

  • 

    Euphemistic on 18/04/2016 - 20:19

    +1

    Good question, if a bike shop is going to charge you $220 it's probably going to cost $50 in parts (online) if you have enough tools to do it yourself, or even look up your local men's shed. Men's sheds often have someone who fixes up bikes for local charities etc.

  • 

    frewer on 18/04/2016 - 20:35

    The gear shifter ( both ) is busted, the back wheel keep come into contact with the frame and the brake ( need alignment I think )

    • 

      [Deactivated] on 18/04/2016 - 20:55

      Sounds like possibly just maintenance. I'd try another shop quote, or learn to service it yourself as $220 sounds expensive to me.

    • 

      captobvious on 18/04/2016 - 21:42

      You tube wheel truing

      Gear levers are easy to replace check crc, likely the cable has stretched and needs changing, the derailleur will need its gears/cogs changed. Lube it up with some pfte lube.

      Bike shop $220. Diy <50

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  kickling on 19/04/2016 - 09:25

  I went through similar process recently. I would suggest you need 50 or 52 cm road bike. I'm sure the Condor is fine for the riding you want to do, but remember you pay for what you get. I'd personally try spend $500 on a second hand, but the Condor is pretty good value.

  In terms of quality, I found this video… Realised later I know who the guy is :-D

  He rides the Reid Osprey but gives you an idea that an expensive bike means nothing if the rider isn't of the same standard.

  https://youtu.be/ZPhicVDq0Pg

  • 

    frewer on 24/05/2016 - 11:20

    thanks

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  LYRICALRAVER on 24/05/2016 - 11:50

  this is the deal you should check out from Reid Cycles Now:

  http://us4.campaign-archive2.com/?u=f7885996ae2a6edadf602e13…

  specificall this one:

  https://www.reidcycles.com.au/reid-vintage-ladies-bicycle-7-…

  • 

    frewer on 24/05/2016 - 12:45

    hahaha a teal bike very funny

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  frewer on 24/05/2016 - 12:52

  UPDATE: After some research I found some YT's videos that show how to fix my bike. I manage to get it back to a functional stage, so I hope it will last me another 7yrs+. It is a Schwinn prelude bike.
  A few thing needs to be replaced but I can live without it.
  Once again thank you all for your advice.

  • 

    Euphemistic on 24/05/2016 - 14:41

    You'd be surprised the number of bicycles that get thrown away becuase 'it's broken and can't be fixed' but that can actually be fixed quite cheaply.

    I've found more than a few on kerbside cleanup that I have got functioning with very little work, some need a few spares claimed from other bikes, but mostly it is just tool work to get a rideable bike.