Best roadbike for under £350?

Ok I know it's not much but I'm looking for a decent modern roadbike for around this price second-hand. Any ideas? Been looking at various allez's and similar bikes. Doesn't need to be exceptionally flash but a decent groupset is a must. What would you recommend?

Thanks

Tom

Definitely something second hand. You'll get nothing good OTP for that sort of money.

Triban 3 from decathalon is pretty decent and new...

wanger 2011 £370 though s/s

http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalog?hl=en&tok=K0e1RdeVmc2VW6p6V5xCdg&cp=8&gs_id=6&xhr=t&q=langster&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&biw=910&bih=436&ion=1&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=11394253962330225766&sa=X&

Thanks for the replies guys. Definitely want something second-hand though. Don't see the point buying anything new for under £500.

If you find one of them 50% + off clearance deals from a major online retailer like CRC, Wiggle tc or from (dolan/graham weigh ebay outlet) there is a chance to get something reasonable for the price. But new OTP bikes are ridiculously highly priced.

A £800 new road bike, would only sell for £350 on ebay even if it was unused, and that would be the more realistic price.

For Road bikes I would actually keep an eye out on Gumtree and other classifieds(do your best to avoid the thieves). There seems to be a huge amount of people who buy new road bikes and decide they do not like them, then sell them for a pittance. I see plenty of genuine examples of this here in Birmingham (usually boardmans bought from hellfrauds), might be hard to find legit bikes in London though...

If you really look around you can pick up a previous year's Giant Defy with sora/2300 within your budget.

You can swap the cromo fork and shit brakes out to make it a pretty decent winter bike.

wanger 2011 £370 though s/s

http://www.google.co.uk/products/catalog?hl=en&tok=K0e1RdeVmc2VW6p6V5xCdg&cp=8&gs_id=6&xhr=t&q=langster&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&biw=910&bih=436&ion=1&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=11394253962330225766&sa=X&

fuck me. thats a fair bit of bike for less than 400 dorrar.

to make it a pretty decent winter bike.

winter bike? (obvious boast post)

It falls short of what I'd call a 'decent bike' tbh!

If you're on a budget like this it's best to buy 2nd hand, or go fixed/ss or both.

Looking for something geared. I've got a commuter I'm eventually going to get round to converting to fixed. I've got 2300 on an allez at the moment, just thinking it's probably cheaper to sell it and upgrade rather than buy a better groupset. It's ok but not ideal even after endless fine-tuning and replacing cables etc etc.

Will definitely keep an eye out for end-of-season deals, though I've got a bit of a thing against buying new...

Follow Ebay.

Had quick look, and there are some seriously optimistic sellers on there at the moment though. I would aim for....

Alu frame + carbon fork, with a 10 speed groupset.

The better groupsets are all 10 speed (excluding flashy 11 speed), so you can upgrade as you go. Then, if you feel the need, upgrade the frame.

If you've got an Allez it's most likely alu frame and carbon fork (unless it's a 2013) So upgrading the components might be an option - Merlin are doing Tiagra for £300 and 105 for £420

If you've got an Allez it's most likely alu frame and carbon fork (unless it's a 2013) So upgrading the components might be an option - Merlin are doing Tiagra for £300 and 105 for £420

Yeah I was going to sell the allez though and replace it with whatever. It's a bottom-of-the-range triple. Upgrading the groupset just seems an expensive way of doing it. I know that seems a weird way of doing it, it just seems to make most sense financially! Unless someone can show me the error of my ways...

Yeah I was going to sell the allez though and replace it with whatever. It's a bottom-of-the-range triple. Upgrading the groupset just seems an expensive way of doing it. I know that seems a weird way of doing it, it just seems to make most sense financially! Unless someone can show me the error of my ways...

New 105 groupset plus your used Allez bike > used 10 speed groupset, and used frame of similar quality.

http://www.bike-discount.de/shop/a51776/105-5750-groupset-compact-2x10-speed-black.html?lg=en&cr=GBP

http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=218056

Looks sweeeeet!

Ah yeah I realise that. What I mean is that selling my allez would be contributing to the cost of purchasing a new bike. So basically I can't afford it :(

Ah yeah I realise that. What I mean is that selling my allez would be contributing to the cost of purchasing a new bike. So basically I can't afford it :(
I dont mean to be brutal. But selling a used allez, in order to buy a used bike of similar quality, but with a slightly better, yet used groupset?

Seems like a massive waste of time to me.

Dont you have saddle and pedal preferences?

Getting everything back to how you like it on the the 'new' bike. Will eat so much into the budget that you'll end up needing to downgrade.

I agree that it sounds odd but the 2300 groupset is pretty shit. There would likely also be a bit of a gap between selling and buying as I'm not up to long rides at the moment due to knee problems. Would free up some cash for a bit. Thansk for the input.

He's right.

From what you've said there isn't much point. Your best bet is to save up some money or look for financing options on a new groupset.

If I were In your shoes I would keep an eye out for bargain bikes on ebay and then strip, cannabalize, and sell on.

If you think about it right now all you really need are:

• shifters
  
• rear mech
  
• rear cassette
  
• tyres (probably)
  

I agree that it sounds odd but the 2300 groupset is pretty shit. There would likely also be a bit of a gap between selling and buying as I'm not up to long rides at the moment due to knee problems. Would free up some cash for a bit. Thansk for the input.

If you had say £650 - £750. You get something brand new in the next level of road bike quality, to what you have, in the sales. As it is the difference in your budget and what you currently have, just seems too small.

I guess snapping bargins off t'bay is the only way. You could get a decent condition 'take-off' groupset. Something thats been hanging on a bike which has been upgraded before selling, or broken down before selling. Thats how I got most of my Super record.

E.g (as Hugo7 pointed out)
Buy strip, and sell the frame on?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GIANT-44cm-Aluminium-Compact-Frame-Ultega-Group-Set-/110946842855?pt=UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item19d4f278e7

I know what you guys are saying. I just really don't have that sort of money to spend. All I'm really looking for is something that'll work a bit more smoothly and reliably than what I have now.

I think keeping an eye out for bikes I can cannibalise the parts off may be the best option given my current situation.

I think keeping an eye out for bikes I can cannibalise the parts off may be the best option given my current situation.

Best option.

You want Tiagra 10 speed or better really (easier to upgrade or mix). This groupset is £299 at Merlin cycles, so you're unlikely to find a bike with it on for £350. Its also newish (has come up from 9 speed). So nothing very used will come up.

Plenty of folk upgrade from Tiagra, 105, or even ultrega. SO keep your eyes peeled.

Good luck

Also forum classifieds:

http://weightweenies.starbike.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=106659

Ultegra 6600 - shifters + FD + RD for $200USD + Shipping