Need help ASAP with first road bike purchase

[Allrounder]

I bought a road bike (used) last week for 6800. Full carbon 105. 

 

Get someone to go and have a look with you at a few used bikes. If you buy one of those, you will want a new bike within 6 months. 

[Noshow]

Another vote for second hand off the Hub.  

 

Warranty not really an issue on road bikes - you might need to budget for some new drive train parts if well used - Chain/cassette maybe tires etc.

 

You can get a very nice bike for 7K, but new you will really wish you hadn't as it will be heavy and slow and you will very soon notice.

 

You will get lots of helpful advice on here.  Put a few options up from the classifieds in your size and location...

[Mongoose!]

with a R7k new bike, don't add too much value on a warrantee for these entry level wheels / components...

[CASSIE1975]

I agree with SECOND hand bike...take some time and don't be in a hurry.

 

Have seen very good Merida Alu bikes on The Hub for even as low as R4000-4500 with Shimano 105 10-speed groupset.

They might be 2012-2014 bikes, but most of them have been hanging in a garage somewhere and barely been used...AND you would have some cash left for extra kit, wheels, tyres, etc. you might need to get your 2nd-hand bike as you want it.

 

If you buy new for R7k you will probably get R4000-4500 in 6 to 12 months time and NOT many people are in the market for those bikes you mentioned.

 

Merida make VERY decent ALU bikes with carbon forks, that would be my first choice, then even look at some Raleigh "CARBON" bikes out there, maybe a few years older, but you could pick up a good Carbon bike with older 105, or Ultegra groupsets and have a decent ride for a year or 2.

 

Also if you sell your 2nd-hand bike again your loss would not be as big as you bought NEW and then sold in a year, or 2.

 

***PLEASE MAKE SURE OF YOUR FRAME SIZE WHEN BUYING***

[Cyclewizz]

The most important thing you need to know if what size frame you need.

Once you have this information you can hit the classifieds here.

 

For R7k you should be able to pick up a carbon frame with at least Shimano 105.

 

If you feel better (worry about the warranty) then you can go for an aluminium frame with a carbon fork. Before there were some bikes with carbon rear stays as well but I haven't seen to many for sale. 

 

Good luck in finding your new toy

[Lizzard30]

I agree with SECOND hand bike...take some time and don't be in a hurry.

 

Have seen very good Merida Alu bikes on The Hub for even as low as R4000-4500 with Shimano 105 10-speed groupset.

They might be 2012-2014 bikes, but most of them have been hanging in a garage somewhere and barely been used...AND you would have some cash left for extra kit, wheels, tyres, etc. you might need to get your 2nd-hand bike as you want it.

 

If you buy new for R7k you will probably get R4000-4500 in 6 to 12 months time and NOT many people are in the market for those bikes you mentioned.

 

Merida make VERY decent ALU bikes with carbon forks, that would be my first choice, then even look at some Raleigh "CARBON" bikes out there, maybe a few years older, but you could pick up a good Carbon bike with older 105, or Ultegra groupsets and have a decent ride for a year or 2.

 

Also if you sell your 2nd-hand bike again your loss would not be as big as you bought NEW and then sold in a year, or 2.

 

***PLEASE MAKE SURE OF YOUR FRAME SIZE WHEN BUYING***

I agree.. got this nice but old Raleigh full carbon 105 for less then what you are willing to pay...

[Duane_Bosch]

I'd squeeze the card a teeni bit harder and get a Giant Contend. R8900 rrp.

[Pure Savage]

Wait, are the choices claris or sora vs 105? Night and day, second hand the way to go.

[Kalahari Vegmot]

Wait, are the choices claris or sora vs 105? Night and day, second hand the way to go.

Claris/Sora:Chorus=Short socks/long socks.

 

The difference is THAT big.

[Duane_Bosch]

Wait, are the choices claris or sora vs 105? Night and day, second hand the way to go.

Old 105. You aren't going to get a bike with 11 speed 105 for 7k.

[g3n151d3]

the only reason im looking for new is the warranty factor...

these 2 bikes are in budget i guess

 

I recently bought a Titan Stryker Expert (http://www.titanracingbikes.com/product/stryker-expert/)

and for a first bike I am very happy.

 

So far no issues and one day when I'm bigger I'll go for an upgrade. But for now - all good.

[Heel Drop]

yes you def need help if you are buying a road bike

[Zub]

For a "first bike" you definitely want to go 2nd hand for the simple reason that it's a "first" bike that you would one day want to resell when you upgrade. You'll then be able to recoup most of what you paid for a 2nd hand bike versus a new bike. Hell, maybe you'll even make a profit if you get a 2nd hand bike for a good enough price. 

 

The bug will start biting immediately. After a few months of riding you would have seen what is out there, you'll see what is popular, what is not, what is "cool", what is not, what is preferred and what is not. You'll be looking to upgrade sooner rather than later, and soon your "first" bike will be for sale again.

 

Or at least this is what happened to me and most folks I know.

[Pure Savage]

Old 105. You aren't going to get a bike with 11 speed 105 for 7k.

Old 105 10spd would be ligther and better than New bottom of the range. A friend got a new Spez with Sora and my jaw dropped at how clunky and horrid it was. I could not understand why they had to make the shifter that much wider and no internal cable route in the shifter. 

[Duane_Bosch]

Old 105 10spd would be ligther and better than New bottom of the range. A friend got a new Spez with Sora and my jaw dropped at how clunky and horrid it was. I could not understand why they had to make the shifter that much wider and no internal cable route in the shifter. 

Haha. Snob!

[Dexter-morgan]

Last year I battled to sell my Silverback Monterey full Carbon 9 speed 105 for R6500, if you shop you will get something decent second hand.