am considering getting myself a bike to nip about on, bit of exercise, bit of riding to work, etc. etc. thinking of getting a racer (would be my first time ever!) as ill only ever be on-road, but how much would it cost? not looking for anything special at all, so long as itll last a while and go fast... hit me!

If you aim for the cheap end like me then Ã,£150-200 should get you something reasonable, midrange should be around Ã,£300 and prices can go up into the thousands from there.

Others will disagree but if you are only testing the water then its probably best to err on the cheap side first rather than buy something expensive and not use it. Its also less likely to get nicked but invest in a good chain and padlock anyway.

As for gears get them, at least five and ten if you can get them, at first it will make things easier but as you go on you will find you are using them less anyway. Some, like maxi, end up using single speed.

Now Ive started expect a flame war to develop...

5 or 10 gears, Serious, you are soooo like 1975. Most decent entry level components like Sora or Deore are 8spd these days, the fancy entry stuff is 9, and top end is 10. All of Campagnolos stuff is ten. Are more ratios better? Meh, imho, most modern road bike drivetrains simply come with a couple cogs, 11+13 in the rear, that most folks dont use anyway. So dont be "upsold". Theres also internally geared bikes, but they tend to be a little more on the commuter/shopper end of things. Theyre very nice, though. Ive had a speedier model with a 7spd hub. Loved it.

What drivetrain depends on your terrain. If you live in the flatlands, a single speed bike makes much sense. No fuss. I ride one in pretty decent sized rolling hills here in the Cumberland basin, but I wouldnt recommend it for most folks. If you got real hills, youll want a triple up front.

Buying used, if youre smart, can really be the best way to go, bikes lose value the second they leave the shop. On the other hand, this is end of season, so you might get a deal.

If youre going to the road bike route, dont let teh sales folks talk you into a "flat bar road bike" which is a road bike with mtb handlebars. No, they arent more comfy. Get drop bars, have them flip the stem and even add 1-2cm of spacers, so that the drop portion is actually usable. Most drop bars are set much too low these days.

Last a while and go fast are sort of incompatible with each other. You can have a bike thats pretty fast thatll last, though. In real world conditions, you want at least a 25mm tire, unless youre prepared to check pressure religiously each time you go ride. I ride sturdy 23s, and the quick handling is nice, but theyre palpably less comfy than 25s or 28s.

Anyway, we need to know your budget, the type of riding, your build, and whether youll be mounting or needing accessories like racks and fenders.

If you want something for the fall, those Ribbles that Badabing and FC2K got are a great deal.

Quote from: maximusotterAnyway, we need to know your budget, the type of riding, your build, and whether youll be mounting or needing accessories like racks and fenders.

budget = Ã,£200 prolly.
type of riding = fast road, mainly for exercise, rather than functional. A->A, rather than A->B.
build = 6foot, well built.
accessories = nope.

http://www.discountbicycles.co.uk/biz/product.php?xProd=2837&Source=kelkoo&tduid=caaba663d3a1e75e91a3617e2f98fee0

I know you can get it for like Ã,£249 somewhere but I just cant find the damn thing

Quote from: Maldonado

Quote from: maximusotterAnyway, we need to know your budget, the type of riding, your build, and whether youll be mounting or needing accessories like racks and fenders.

budget = Ã,£200 prolly.

For that amount of money, you cant get anything new, short of a basic hybrid--which isnt the worst option.

200 should get you a decent used road rig.

Though Im not fond of Ebay usually, if youre careful, you can get awesome deals on bikes. My Brodie would have cost $900 had I bought locally, but with import fees and shipping, I got it for $550. Best bet is to find somebody where you can pick up in person.

Plenty of deals to be had:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/carrera-subway-2-road-touring-bike-cannondale-grips_W0QQitemZ190024421967QQihZ009QQcategoryZ72571QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Saracen-Ventoux-aluminium-road-bike-Shimano_W0QQitemZ180020356863QQihZ008QQcategoryZ72573QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

200 as max says will not get you anything nice brand new...

Dawes do some really nice bikes but they start at 400 notes, or thereabouts, for bog standard componentry

so i too would look at Second hand stuff.

Find out what size frame you need at a bike shop, then go ebaying.  Ã,£200 should get you something pretty nice.

theres a raleigh racer in argos that looks reasonable for Ã,£200,
quite tempted by it myself

Quote from: soopahflytheres a raleigh racer in argos that looks reasonable for Ã,£200,
quite tempted by it myself

ROAD BIKE! NOT RACER!

and did i read that right? Soopahfly AND road bike?!

Could be a racer, seeing as its 26" wheeled.

Stupid thing.  I only want one to commute on.  

$150 gets you a GMC Denali. No, not  this GMC that its named after:

http://images.google.com/images?q=gmc%20denali&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&sa=N&tab=wi

what measurements do i need to take to figure out a frame size?

Inside leg with shoes is the main one I think.

But go to a bike shop and theyll normally size you up. Clue with the reach on the bars, to set it correctly, you should obscure the hub of the front wheel with the stem of the handlebars when sitting on it comfortably.

Thats what Ive been told anyhows.