Basic Road Bikes

[Alouette3]

Looking at the possibility of getting a road bike to train and do the Argus on next year. Did my first Argus this year from the very back group in a 3h45 on an old 1992 Giant Cadex CFM2 mountain bike with some 1.3 Conti Contact slicks. It goes like the clappers, but I do tend to run out of gears quickly on the downhill, and feel its no the most efficient way to do things. Though the looks I get when passing someone on their R40k + carbon beasts going up Chappies on a my training rides are priceless.

 

What sort of bikes should I be checking out if I'm on a budget. I don't know anything about road bikes, and what to look out for component and brand wise. Definitely will go second hand, and I don't want to go and spend thousands on a bike I won't be riding all the time, as I'm more into mountain biking otherwise. Still want something I'll be happy with, comfortable and that will last.

 

Not opposed to building up a bike, but that will probably end up a bit pricey.

[spiderkzn]

I'm on same boat with you! still looking for second hand road bike for road race and training while i'm on mtb most. Will eye on this thread for advice. By the way try go to 2nd hand bike shop that they will advice.

 

My maximum budget should be R4000 for 2nd hand road bike.

[Velo Racer]

I got into cycling about a month ago and was also looking for an inexpensive quality second hand road bike. I bought a 4 year old Raleigh RC3000 on gumtree for R2900. Bike was decent and serviced regularly. It has a carbon fork and Shimano Tiagra groupset. A very decent bike for the price IMHO.

Edited September 5, 2013 by AvronA

[MTBer wannabee]

You will get some decent starter bikes for under 5k. Look for a Raleigh frame with 105 groupset. I have seen a few recently.

[NotSoBigBen]

Looking at the possibility of getting a road bike to train and do the Argus on next year. Did my first Argus this year from the very back group in a 3h45 on an old 1992 Giant Cadex CFM2 mountain bike with some 1.3 Conti Contact slicks. It goes like the clappers, but I do tend to run out of gears quickly on the downhill, and feel its no the most efficient way to do things. Though the looks I get when passing someone on their R40k + carbon beasts going up Chappies on a my training rides are priceless.

 

What sort of bikes should I be checking out if I'm on a budget. I don't know anything about road bikes, and what to look out for component and brand wise. Definitely will go second hand, and I don't want to go and spend thousands on a bike I won't be riding all the time, as I'm more into mountain biking otherwise. Still want something I'll be happy with, comfortable and that will last.

 

Not opposed to building up a bike, but that will probably end up a bit pricey.

 

If only I had a few rondts for every time someone said that .....

 

[Guest Latent Blue]

A raleigh RC3000 is the bread and butter of rookie-roadies!

 

I have a Schwinn fastback... Plenty of them to go around on the classifieds for 3500 - 5000

and in my opinion superior in comfort compared to the RC3000

[Christie]

Try look for a classic frameset - entry level Eddy Merckx, De Rosa or Colnago steel or alu frame should go for around R2k to R3k. Queens cycles were selling new Eddy steel frames for R3500 a year or 3 ago.

You should be able to pick up a 10 speed Record or Chorus gruppo for cheap 2nd hand. (need to get a reasonable seller though, some guys are still trying their luck, even though most mid to high level groups are now 11 speed)

[Ed-Zulu]

A raleigh RC3000 is the bread and butter of rookie-roadies!

 

I have a Schwinn fastback... Plenty of them to go around on the classifieds for 3500 - 5000

and in my opinion superior in comfort compared to the RC3000

Found a FastBack Elite in mint condition for R3500.00...6 weeks ago...composite frame, lovely bike to ride, can't fault it.

 

Edit:...and remember, It's not the bike...

Edited September 5, 2013 by Ed-Zulu

[mulmi]

Got a Raleigh RC6000. It is solid. Due to budget I will probably ride it till my wheels fall of.

 

Put on some Gator Skins and it is a hassle free bike.

[ptaljaard]

i'm in the exact same boat.

[Jaguar Shark]

I also reckon a Raleigh RC3000 - had one for 4 years and couldn't kill the thing- great with Tiagra and a decent set of wheels...

[MainRoader]

If you want to go budget, there are often very cheap - under R1.3k, - old steel frame road bikes with down tube shifters for sale in various classifieds. I bought one about 4 or 5 years ago, and tyres are the only thing it has consumed over many many kilometers (+ a wheel lost to a car).

[JanJan]

I'm also looking through various classifieds for a road bike between R3k and R6k. I am however not familiar with road Shimano groupsets. I'm assuming the quality and price order is:

 

Dura Ace > Ultegra > 105 > Tiagra

 

Would you guys consider a R5000 bike(2nd hand) with a 105 groupset as a bargain?

[MTBer wannabee]

I'm also looking through various classifieds for a road bike between R3k and R6k. I am however not familiar with road Shimano groupsets. I'm assuming the quality and price order is:

 

Dura Ace > Ultegra > 105 > Tiagra

 

Would you guys consider a R5000 bike(2nd hand) with a 105 groupset as a bargain?

 

Its a good price, It should last forever. What frame is it. I bought a RC6000 with 105 for R5000. Asking price was R6000

[Falco]

I'm assuming the quality and price order is: Dura Ace > Ultegra > 105 > Tiagra

 

Correct. And some will say the durability will be Tiagra > 105 > Ultegra > Dura Ace.

 

All will do the job.

 

105 will not break the bank, do anything you want it to do, and last a very long time for the average Joe.

[RexFuzzle]

If you want to go budget, there are often very cheap - under R1.3k, - old steel frame road bikes with down tube shifters for sale in various classifieds. I bought one about 4 or 5 years ago, and tyres are the only thing it has consumed over many many kilometers (+ a wheel lost to a car).

I did the same- paid 1k for mine with 105 downtube shifters.