Geared bike advice for a noob?

Hi, I've been riding fixed gear for 2 years now, and I want to switch to a geared bike. My current bike was my first bike of decent quality, and I learned a lot about fixed gear bikes in terms of parts and how to build.

I know nothing much about geared bikes, in terms of parts & sizing/spacing but I know that I want a steel frame with horizontal top tube, quality equal to my current bike.

Here are some examples I have seen that I really like:

I don't really know how much something like this will cost, the only funding I have is selling my current bike for parts. I am currently injured and can't ride for a few weeks, so I have time to research what I want/need and decide what parts to sell etc.

Buying a full bike new would be my preference, but I doubt that'll happen, I should be okay with building a bike with some research, but restoration is not for me.

Any help would be much appreciated, heres' my current bike and list of parts to give an idea of money I can put towards the new bike, generally, if the current parts fit the new bike, I'll keep em, unless they clash with the colour scheme! (All the parts are very new).

Frame and fork: - Black 56cm Brick Lane Bikes Steel Track Frame Black BLB Straight Track forks

Wheelset: - Velocity Deep V rims on formula hubs Front wheel 32 spoke radially laced pattern Rear wheel 32 spoke double cross pattern - Continental Grand Prix 4000S front tyre Yellow & Black Vittoria Rubino Pro rear tyre

Drivetrain: - Silver Sugino RD2 Messenger 165mm Cranks 44t chainring - Sugino Sealed cartridge 103mm bottom bracket JIS - Andel/Surly 17t sprocket - KMC Z510 Silver chain - Lockring - MKS Sylvan pedals - Cages - Straps

Other parts: - VeloSolo Riser Handlebars - Oury grips - Gold Finger brake lever - Shimano 105 front brake - Cane Creek S8 headset - Deda Quattro Stem - Truvativ Team Seatpost - Sann Marco Regal Ti tanium

You'll get best value and least headache buying a complete bike i reckon. Watch the classifieds here for one your size and in the meantime get an idea of the different values of geared bikes and the reasons for the different values (tubing, components etc..)

If you like Colnagos search the forum for past Colnago sales to get an idea of prices.
I love the Battino. You have good taste.

You wont be able to use any significant parts of your fixed for your geared. You have an SS specific frame, SS cranks, SS rear wheel etc.

The only bits that you could probably use will be your front wheel, stem, seating, pedals etc. Hardly anypoint I think. Just keep it as a seperate bike.

In terms of you geared bike, if you plan on using drops I suggest you get some for your SS first to experiment with the position they give you. You may find out that you need a different frame to what you use with risers/flat bars.

Something else to bear in mind, is that road gears are usually very close together. If your the kind of person that enjoys just one gear in the city (all you need if its not fuck hilly) and are accustomed to spinning you may find the close spacing really annoying and yearn for bigger jumps and lower available gears. So consider using a mtb (long cage?) mech on the back with a bigger cassette and compact rings up front.

Obviously, if you do like to mash hard gears and ride real fast like your racing you may want to ignore this advice, but for me at least its the right choice, close range high gearing is just a paint in the arse with little benefit. I dont race!

Benny:

Yeah I figured that best value would be to buy here, but it's just annoying not knowing what's what!

That Battino is my dream bike, really nice :)

DFP

Thanks, that's a very good point about the gears, I never really thought about them being close together. I can't ride at the mo cos I fucked up my left sit bone :( really painful to even sit on a saddle, let alone ride! I also have a busted foot.

About I might need a different frame, do you mean smaller?

lots of decent road bikes come up on hear for around £200. keep your eyes on those European sellers (especially the dutch ones) they always seem to come up with some real surprises.

There complete geared classic marvels on here (from Holland for example) for around £400.

Or keep the bike you have now and put some money aside in the meantime - buy a quality frame and all the bits and put it together.

And you'd need Rapha clothes.

^ yea i meant from £200

About I might need a different frame, do you mean smaller?

Well obviously you cannot put gears on your track frame. But yeah, sizewise road bikes with drops can be very finickity. Frame sizing is rather critical.

or go through marktplaats, it's pretty easy to figure out once you have a look round. I picked my Concorde off there a while back. But if thats all a little too much, then most of the roadbikes that pass through here from Holland are decent.

I got my Pinarello frame from France.

you just missed out on a lovely road bike in your size and under £200
http://www.lfgss.com/thread61032.html

shame really, i cant stop thinking about it. i want it back :(

you just missed out on a lovely road bike in your size and under £200
http://www.lfgss.com/thread61032.html

shame really, i cant stop thinking about it. i want it back :(

so cheap! missed that I know someone it would've been perfect for...

On topic - listen to the above advice, wait for something to pop up in classifieds. Some beautiful bikes for between £2-300 from Holland, here you have the luxury of being able to spend as much or as little as you want and end up with a great bike either way.

Figure out what size you need, guessing around a 56 or 58? then go for it. If you get a bike and don't like it you'll probably be able to sell it back on here anyway.

I would say though if you're thinking of doing some serious riding STI shifters are worth coppering up for, if it's just leisurely rides and to dip your toe in down tube shifters will be fine.

Thanks for all the advice guys, all taken on board. STIs are a must! I'd say my riding style is 'ninja commuter' ;) I ride everywhere I go, fast.

Just a couple more questions, if I had a budget of £200 for a steel frame & fork, what brands/models would you recommend? And what qualities should I be looking for?

I think I want a 10 speed, which is believe is 130mm rear dropout (as I will probably get the Shimano 105 groupset).

200 notes should get you a pretty damn nice frame, I've seen Colnago's go in that range. But in honesty you'd be best off buying a complete bike. Even selling off the bits you don't want will probably be more economical.

In terms of you geared bike, if you plan on using drops I suggest you get some for your SS first to experiment with the position they give you. You may find out that you need a different frame to what you use with risers/flat bars.

especially with brake hood where you tend to spend time riding on.

go to a bicycle shop, and test ride a road bike to get an idea of size and feel.

my housemate got a really nice faggin off *saarf on here for £200 shipped. maybe give him a PM and see if he's got anything similar?

Hi,

I've been looking at bikes/frames by Pinarello, De Rosa, Colnago, it seems that these are above my budget.

What brands are good for £200 frame & fork? Just to get an idea.

There's so many italian sounding ones :/ I think ultimately I'll want to have all modern parts on it so looking into frames, but might buy a complete bike if one comes along in good cond.

Drop this guy an E-mail. The framsets are'nt always the cheapest, but he does have nice stock, and is a pleasure to deal with. I dont think the website is always up to date. So probably best, if you just let him know what you are looking for.

http://www.matuzmaster.hu/en/vintage-frames/

Pinarello, De Rosa, Colnago,

If you bought these frames you wouldn't put 105 on them though. So you'd be spending even more on the high end components.

Check out Reynolds 531 frames and bikes. Always quality.

If you bought these frames you wouldn't put 105 on them though.

The ol' Italian frame deserve italian component?

I'd says put whatever you like on it, even if it's Simplex.

Nah it needs 10 speed and Ultratorque, right Ed?

Concorde, gazelle, batavus, koga-miyata, rih, all make nice bikes and often pop up for sale.

Tel, Peter V, RIH, Colnago_Costa, Maryann, Dutch Cheese all sell/ advise on what your after. Sort of specification would be good, other than being around 56 frame.

Tubing is always pretty good gauge of what the bike will be like, as are the components.

200 for frame and fork is a lot of money is a fair wedge of money, I've seen Colnago's, Pinarello's etc go for around that. Like I said before, buying a whole bike may be the most sage advice.

Hi, this is all really useful.

Basically, in my mind, I just want a steel frame with horizontal top tube (cos that's what I like), and by default, this seems to mean that I'm looking at older bikes, as most new ones are alu or way above my budget. I'd rather a newer frame (90s) rather than say a 70s frame, as I think I'll just have more confidence in it. I do ride pretty hard, and the roads round here are fucked.

I don't have a particular interest in being faithful to 'period' parts, or certain brands etc. Take the Cia Battino at the top ^, Shimano 105, Stronglight & Mavic parts, and looks great! Just want parts that are strong, reliable, light, and easy to install/maintain/replace. (And look good).

As for specs, 700c wheels, 10 speed cassette, double chainring, STI levers. I don't know what other specs I should be considering, (?)

From the link above, really like this frame:

http://www.matuzmaster.hu/_userfiles/image/2010-02-07-moser-fillet/14178-big.jpg

But dunno how much that might be.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-CINELLI-ALUTHRON-PROXIMA-FRAME-AND-FORKS-56CM-/170612935594?pt=UK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&hash=item27b952cbaa#ht_500wt_1156

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CONCORDE-Racing-Bike-/160556583639?pt=UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item2561eb0ad7#ht_500wt_1156