Entry level bike?

c07

After just doing my first triathlon on sat, I have caught the bug so need to sort out my bike status..
I did it on a mountain bike and improvised a bit by putting hybrid slicks on it. Obviously not an ideal solution. But, hell, it got me over the line.
Now, I think I want to at least get an ok entry level bike to at least give me a better shot at some proper cycling.
Don't want to spend huge €€€s as I just don't have it to spend. Would ideally pick one up second hand but don't even know the first thing to look for in a bike. What brands, what specs (obviously not massively high specs within my price range), etc, etc.
Any advice, tips, or even an old one sitting in your garage that's gathering dust and could make you a few €€€s..
Thanks

mossym

if you don;t know what you are looking for, sticking with the main brands giant, trek and picking something 2nd hand in your price range wouldn't see you far warong, as long as the bike hasn't been through the ringer

what is your budget?

c07

mossym wrote: »

if you don;t know what you are looking for, sticking with the main brands giant, trek and picking something 2nd hand in your price range wouldn't see you far warong, as long as the bike hasn't been through the ringer

what is your budget?

Nice one. Thanks. :-)
I'm thinking 250-300max probably.

NewWheels

Hi c07

One of the TryAthletes and the ladies event winner - got a road bike from shop advertising on DoneDeals for under the €300 mark. She sent me a link to the bike and it looked a good starter machine

c07

Excellent NewWheels.. Thanks for the heads-up. Will check donedeal adverts out.

NewWheels

Here you go this is what she got

http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/bicycles/4767377

c07

NewWheels wrote: »

Here you go this is what she got

http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/bicycles/4767377

Sweet!
He seems to have a good few online.. Will have a proper mooch thru them later.
Thanks again

sconhome

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tri-and-Sell-It/435716296476638?fref=ts

Also worth keeping an eye on 'Tri and Sell it' on Facebook. Odd time something good comes up there.

mossym

i'd also suggest considering this, which gets good recommendations in the cycling section

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-3-road-bike-id_8167038.html#avantages

you'd have to go to belfast, but with a carbon fork and shimano 2300 for that price i'd take it over the donedeal bike listed above.

c07

Would be totally willing to take a trip up north for a bargain.. Nice one!!

c07

Ok decathlon don't have my size in stock.
Stumbled across this in my hunt http://www.mafiabike.com/mafiabikes-road-bikes/tr7interceptor.html
I can't find any reviews for them, but what do ye think of the specs? Would I be better off holding out for the triban 3 to come back in stock?

c07

Actually, I think I may know answer just after I've posted. It doesn't have either the carbon forks or shimano 2300 that you mentioned above mossym. And I'm guessing you know bikes, so I'll bow to your experience and knowledge and hold out for the triban 3

roseybear

that was me, and shes a grand little bike for starting on! the guy who sold it took the order on the bank holiday monday, and it arrived to my door at 8.45am thurs morn. u do have to put it together urself but it didnt take long, would recommend having 2 ppl to do that.