moxfyre

Well, he IS gonna be riding on gravel roads, a modern road bike with 23 mm tires and short chainstays would suck for that. I agree that suspension is unnecessary. The used bike he got offered looks pretty good to me, basically a cyclocross bike with a flat bar...

The eyelets part is a good point.

Cyclist0383

Ok, if you're looking at the Scott and really want it and nothing else, and I assume you're looking at Hawaii Express (what's up with that name?), they are known to deal on prices. The one on the first floor the shopping mall not far from the centre of Tallinn isn't bad. Sorry, I can't remember the name or exact location.

But I'll tell you one more time, go for good used. I buy a lot of bikes and bike stuff in the Baltics, and most of it is really expensive. I also like the same style of bike that you are looking for. They're not available in your price range. You have to put one together with parts from different sources. If you go to small one or two man shops you can find some good deals. I found good studded winter tires in Tartu for Kr175. It is possible. Here are some links to bikes that I've built up on the cheap in Latvia using a mix of NOS, used and new parts.
https://www.bikeforums.net/general-cycling-discussion/79723-wife-wants-bike-christmas-need-advice.html (pic and info at bottom)
https://www.bikeforums.net/general-cycling-discussion/95105-new-addition-my-stable.html

And I'll say it one more time, call the head mechanic of the national team. They know where all the parts are. Happy hunting!

EDIT: You really don't need a suspension fork. It's just going break if you really use it. A decent fork would cost more than the whole bike you are looking at buying. My wife and I hit some dirt roads after work last night on the way to CityMarket and she had no problems without a suspension fork. She Actually liked it!

MelesMeles

Ok. I'm back from Hawaii Express (What's with the name indeed, lol) and I tried quite a few bikes. The used Scott Sportster P2 2004 I mentioned earlier belongs to one of that shop employees actually (talk about small world...) and I liked it, was good and comfortable. Another bike I really liked was Schwinn Super Sport GS. Both cost 650$ there and I'm gonna get one of them tomorrow... Just need to decide, which one. Scott has lockable front suspension, Schwinn has none. Both have Shimano Deore derailleurs...well, they both are somewhat similar lol

Ziemas, thanks for your help and professional advice. I know which HE store you mean, in Kristiine shopping mall. I did my shopping in one other HE though.

moxfyre

Looks to me like you have two good choices! (By the way, the Schwinn's carbon fork will probably do a decent job of smoothing out bumpy roads, that's one reason CF forks are popular)

MelesMeles

Thanks all for advice and stuff. My new bike is slightly usedScott Sportster p2.