Road Cycling - Hi all - advice on a bike please

Hi everyone.. this is my first post here. I'm 30 years old.. used to cycle as a teenager and want to get back into it.

My ceiling for a new bike was £400 and I wanted something sturdy (I'm a big lad) and reliable. I am able to get a Saracen Morzine for £350, but have also tracked down a brand new 2001 Coppi Treviso for £600 which seems an absolute bargain. More than I wanted to spend though.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks, Matt.

I have no idea about pounds or euro's or any of the bikes ur talking about...I can find out for you though

What is the kit on the Coppi? I presume your from the uk, as you are talking in £s.If so get Cycling Weekly and check the pack pages for bikes advertised by companies.You will save a lot of money buying from them than you would walking into LBS.You will get a good deal from Ribble cycles. check deeside cycles also http://www.deesidecycles.com/Newfor2002.htm

Not badly priced for £425.

As you are just returning to cycling make sure you get a bike that is the right size for you.That is the only downfall if you get mail order,you need to know exactly what you are buying.There are plently of threads about bikefit,and articles on the web, you can even go to LBS,under the impression of buying bike and get sizes.

Just becarefull of the wheels on bike you are buying, because some of the lesser known brands, tend to knock up cheap factory tensioned wheels that fall apart after few hours ride.Try and Stick to main brands Shimano,Campag, Mavic etc and speak to some cyclists before buying.

Knew two friends who bought Raleigh R500 for winter bike.Crap hub,rims and spokes.wheels fell apart, they got them tensioned again and the spokes kept loosening.

Welcome to BikeForums Matt.


Originally posted by bikerdave
As you are just returning to cycling make sure you get a bike that is the right size for you. That is the only downfall if you get mail order, you need to know exactly what you are buying.
Yes, FIT is the most important detail about any bike you'll ever buy!!


Knew two friends who bought Raleigh R500 for winter bike.Crap hub,rims and spokes.wheels fell apart, they got them tensioned again and the spokes kept loosening.
Was this a UK Raleigh? I have a USA Raleigh R600 (1999 model) that has been a great bike. Never had any problems other than routine maintenance. :beer:

Thanks lads. Dave, this is the spec for the Coppi:

Frame: Double butted 7005 series alloy frame & integrated 1" 1/8 headtube
Fork: 1" 1/8 A-head alloy steerer with carbon blade
Wheelset: Rigida Contour (28 Spoke)
Headset: VP for cane creek
Stem: ITM Mantjs
Handle Bar: ITM super 330 Ergo
Derailleurs: Shimano Ultegra 9 speed
Shifters: Shimano Ultegra 9 speed STI
Chainset: Shimano Ultegra 53t/39t
Cassette: Shimano 9 speed 12t/23t
Calipers: Shimano 105 dual pivot
Seat Post: ITM Mantjs
Saddle: Selle Italia Ocktavia
Tyres: Vittoria Rubino Intrepid pro
Bar Tape: ITM cork
Pedals: Not supplied
Weight: 21lbs (approx)
Colour: White/Electric Blue with Yellow fade

At least this is the spec for the 2002 bike. The dealer says the 2001 bike is the same - only the colour is different. Like I say.. I'm totally new to this.. but the 2002 bikes are going for £1100 min. Seems too good to be true!

Hi Matt,

My friendly local bike shop invited me to give the Saracen Morzine a test ride recently. It is a good amount of bike for £350, and compared well to my Dawes Giro 400 (2000 model) that cost £440 two years ago and has basically similar parts i.e. Shimano Sora 8 speed STI shifters and derraileurs, alloy frame, dual caliper brakes etc. The only parts that would concern me would be the wheels (as pointed out by bikerdave) which might go out of true. However, a good bike shop would normally offer you a free checkup after a the first month or so to correct any problems. The only other point I would raise is that the wheel hubs were not of great quality, but this shouldn't be a problem unless you were to do a lot of riding in wet weather.

If you have the chance to take a test ride this will help your choice, but for the money the Saracen is a good bike to get started on.

Good luck

Ed

If you're looking for thoughness and durability in a bike TREK makes several decent and very durable models with out sacrificing quality.

My neighbours got a Coppi, not sure of the exact model but he's been happy with it. I seem to recall Cycling+ liked the Morzine for the money, it's a good magazine for UK reviews, and it might be worth posting a query on their website if you're looking at a UK brand.

Richard

Thanks for all your replies.. some really helpful info.

Richard - do you know the URL for cycling+? I couldn't find it.

The Coppi seems a great buy especially with the parts its kitted out with.The 7005 tubing is not the lightest but you will find it nice and stiff.Ask if you can take it for a test ride, see how it feels.


Was this a UK Raleigh? I have a USA Raleigh R600 (1999 model) that has been a great bike.....

Yeah uk Raliegh.(dont make them like they used to)

I had a quick look around for Cycling plus and found this website for them at:

[URL=www.cyclingplus.co.uk/forum/]

This seem to be another forum, hope it may be of use,

Ed

get the coppi remember a good deal is a state of mind,get the coppi thats where your leaning anyway. RIDE ON PEOPLE!

Matt, before you go ahead with any purchase you should be sure of the fit. Many LBS don't give a thorough fitting, especially if you're looking for a low-end bike. The Wrench Science bike fit method is easy and very thorough. Go through the process at the following URL and then print it out.

http://www.wrenchscience.com/WS1/Secure/Fitting/Height.asp

Armed with the info in the printout, you won't get influenced into buying a "good buy" that doesn't fit. This is a very important consideration when your funds are limited: the choices are limited, too.

With respect top the Morzine, it sounds like a very poor choice. I've been through that kind of wheel situation. You'll have to learn to true your own wheels--on a regular basis. Maybe go through the extra expense of buying a truying stand. Finally, you'll have enough of the misery and spring for a new wheelset for $200. I've been there myself.

If you read a lot of posts in this forum, you will rarely see a good review for Sora components. However, when I was in situation when finances seemed to dictate Sora for me, several knowledgeable people recommended the Bianchi Brava and the Fuji Ace as good choices. The Bianchi is right in your price range and it is a beautiful bike. BTW, the Cannondale R300, which is in the same price range gets terrible reviews.

If it fits (do your Wrench Science homework), the Coppi sounds like a great buy. With those components, I would expect it to be about a $1200 bike, not $900. You say that you are a big lad, so I am wondering if a 28-spoke wheel would hold up well for you. In 2000, I lucked out in finding a 1999 Schwinn Super Sport with 105 throughout for $750 and it fit! I like it more and more as I become a better rider. So be patient and find a good buy that fits. Sorry to be so long-winded.

Rich

I have no idea about pounds or euro's or any of the bikes ur talking about...I can find out for you though

general rule of thumb, asbars, $1000US is approximatly equal to 650-700 pounds, and a Euro is about equal to a US dollar...