Buying a road/gravel bicycle

[Graham Matthews]

Hi All,

I am currently a marathon/ultra runner, looking at getting back into cycling after a 20 year hiatus. I used to ride an old alloy framed thomasini and managed a sub 3 hour Argus but that was a very long time ago.

I need some advice or links to bikes (road or gravel) that would be a good starting point. I have a budget of around 15k. I am 178 so a medium size 54 frame should do.

It would be a  Bonus if I can get some additional gear with the bicycle mine is a bit out dated, shoe size 10, clothing size medium, helmet size medium/large.

I would really appriciate any help, and thank you in advance.

Kind Regards

 

Graham 

Edited yesterday at 08:12 AM by Graham Matthews

[ChrisF]

16 minutes ago, Graham Matthews said:

Hi All,

I am currently a marathon/ultra runner, looking at getting back into cycling after a 20 year hiatus. I used to ride an old alloy framed thomasini and managed a sub 3 hour Argus but that was a very long time ago.

I need some advice or links to bikes that would be a good starting point. I have a budget of around 15k. I am 178 so a large or size 58 frame should do.

It would be a  Bonus if I can get some additional gear with the bicycle mine is a bit out dated, shoe size 10, clothing size medium, helmet size medium/large.

I would really appriciate any help, and thank you in advance.

Kind Regards

 

Graham 

 

Maybe check the frame size.

 

You are on the cusp between M and L.

 

With Giant you may find size ML works for you, yes, this half size is a real option.

 

 

Mith Merida you find that M works for you, their sizes being slightly larger than many others.

 

 

QUESTION - Are you looking at a road bike ?  Gravel bike ? Or a MTB ?

 

 

Use the type and area filters in the Bike Hub classifieds.

 

PS - If you cant conclude the deal in person, use Bike Hub Pay.

[Graham Matthews]

Thanks Chris, I've edited my post I'd look at a road or gravel bike.

If you see anything please send me a link. Thanks 

 

[NC_lurker]

10 hours ago, Graham Matthews said:

Thanks Chris, I've edited my post I'd look at a road or gravel bike.

If you see anything please send me a link. Thanks 

 

Hi Graham 

As mentioned, at your height M(54), depending on brand might be more suitable. Note that sizing has changed, old school 58 would now be an XL - frame designs switched to be more compact about 25yrs ago.

As an example I'm 1.85 and ride a 56 (L) 

Personally I wouldn't invest too much money in a rim brake road bike nowadays and hydraulic disc brake bikes would start around R18-20k. So I'd suggest looking at bikes in the R7-9k range which will be perfectly serviceable. Potentially needing a new cassette & chain but perhaps not. Plus leave budget to spend on decent accessories.

You don't say where you're based, but here are some random examples of bikes that could be options (less 10-15%). Ignore the sizes..

https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/road-bikes/778725/merida-scultura-904-lite-road-bike

https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/road-bikes/779269/titan-stryker-comp-neg

https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/road-bikes/782416/cannondale-caad-si

If you're able to up your overall budget this could also be a good option, getting you a dual purpose road/gravel bike with hydraulic discs. However it's not a great gravel option given that the tyre size is limited to max 35mm (I think) rather than 45mm or so (major comfort & handling benefits going bigger on gravel):

https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/gravel-bikes/774597/scott-speedster-gravel-bike

Edited yesterday at 06:03 AM by NC_lurker
Adding disc brake bike

[Bike Dewing]

11 hours ago, Graham Matthews said:

Hi All,

I am currently a marathon/ultra runner, looking at getting back into cycling after a 20 year hiatus. I used to ride an old alloy framed thomasini and managed a sub 3 hour Argus but that was a very long time ago.

I need some advice or links to bikes (road or gravel) that would be a good starting point. I have a budget of around 15k. I am 178 so a large or size 58 frame should do.

It would be a  Bonus if I can get some additional gear with the bicycle mine is a bit out dated, shoe size 10, clothing size medium, helmet size medium/large.

I would really appriciate any help, and thank you in advance.

Kind Regards

 

Graham 

Not a large(56) and most certainly not a 58.!! I’m 177 and a ride a 54, ideally a 53 but that’s because of my legs to torso ratio blah blah.. I always advise getting advice from a proper fitter though.. 

[Shebeen]

26 minutes ago, NC_lurker said:

 

Personally I wouldn't invest too much money in a rim brake road bike nowadays and hydraulic disc brake bikes would start around R18-20k. So I'd suggest looking at bikes in the R7-9k range which will be perfectly serviceable. Potentially needing a new cassette & chain but perhaps not. Plus leave budget to spend on decent accessories.

 

For this exact reason you can get a lot of bang for buck with your R15k budget. Rim brakes work just fine on road bikes, the first TdF stage won on disk brakes was 2017.

In your position I would not buy a bike without trying it first, so not sure where you are from. put the location filter on here and go wild (there's even an alloy Tommasini if you are sentimental).

 

https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/c/road-bikes?minimum_price=10000&maximum_price=15000&meta_size[is_multi_select]=true&meta_size[value]=54%2C55%2C56&meta_brake_type[is_multi_select]=true&meta_brake_type[value]=Rim

[RobertWhitehead]

If you're set on a L you're welcome to look at my bike (punt incoming) - It is a MTB frame I turned into a gravel monster with some proper kit. Don't worry too much about the price, I know the owner 😁: 

 

https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/gravel-bikes/778963/l-gt-zaskar-team-carbon 

I also have a 54 road bike frame and fork if you want me to transfer the bits from the GT I will be able to do that as well

 

Edited yesterday at 06:41 AM by RobertWhitehead
Added another option

[NC_lurker]

16 minutes ago, Shebeen said:

In your position I would not buy a bike without trying it first, so not sure where you are from. 

Agree 100%, at this price range I definitely wouldn't buy sight unseen.

I've got a number of bikes I ride on the road (rim & disc brake) and although I really enjoy taking my rim brake Sakae Litage for a loop around the Peninsula there's no denying the fact that I feel more confident & in control when riding one of my disc brake bikes.

I've been tagged as a Luddite by my cycling mates for sticking to mechanical shifting, but I wouldn't go back to rim brakes for my primary road bike. 

[cadenceblur]

Eish, still battling to understand how people are just rubbishing rim brakes! A solid Shimano dual pivot brakes just fine, better yet, a dual mount set will be even better .  

[Shebeen]

1 minute ago, cadenceblur said:

Eish, still battling to understand how people are just rubbishing rim brakes! A solid Shimano dual pivot brakes just fine, better yet, a dual mount set will be even better .  

shhhhhhh. It keeps the second hand price low. 

[MongooseMan]

1 hour ago, RobertWhitehead said:

If you're set on a L you're welcome to look at my bike (punt incoming) - It is a MTB frame I turned into a gravel monster with some proper kit. Don't worry too much about the price, I know the owner 😁: 

 

https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/gravel-bikes/778963/l-gt-zaskar-team-carbon 

I also have a 54 road bike frame and fork if you want me to transfer the bits from the GT I will be able to do that as well

 

Slight hijack: how is that Bolany 60mm fork?

I’ve got my eye on it for a gravel build later this year for Trans

Edited yesterday at 08:14 AM by MongooseMan

[RobertWhitehead]

3 minutes ago, MongooseMan said:

Slight hijack: how is that Bolany 60mm fork?

I’ve got my eye on it for a gravel build later this year for Trans

It's a new fork so I can't give an in depth review but it does look fairly decent

[Graham Matthews]

Thanks for all the information and advice, just an FYI I am based in Cape Town.

I have looked at a few bikes and shortlisted the below ones, has anyone got any advice on which is best? Thanks 

https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/road-bikes/782304/scott-foil

https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/road-bikes/778642/road-bike

https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/road-bikes/733044/scott-speedster-20

https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/road-bikes/776639/specialized-roubaix-sl4-sport

https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/road-bikes/777369/road-bike

https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/road-bikes/778540/specialized-tarmac

https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/road-bikes/769793/liv-langma-sl2

 

Thanks

Graham

 

[warrencharlesza]

i would look at roubaix, endurance geometry, they have taken the time to be specific on parts etc. Liv is a brand for women. The other ads just say 105 etc, if the Scott Foil had some info it would be a toss up between the roubaix and the foil

good luck

[Bike Dewing]

20 minutes ago, warrencharlesza said:

i would look at roubaix, endurance geometry, they have taken the time to be specific on parts etc. Liv is a brand for women. The other ads just say 105 etc, if the Scott Foil had some info it would be a toss up between the roubaix and the foil

good luck

Roubaix is the wrong size.. you can buy a 300k bike but if it’s the wrong size it’s always going to suck🤷🏼‍♂️

[Bike Dewing]

Sorry to be that guy.. but if at all you can up that budget a bit, maybe negotiate a bit of a lower price on these you’re options are far better than 15k.. in my opinion..

https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/road-bikes/779952/specialized-allez-elite-e5
 

https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/road-bikes/776193/elite-titan-racing-road-bike
 

https://bikehub.co.za/classifieds/item/road-bikes/782140/merida-reacto-5000-ltd-lampre-edition