Getting my first bike, should I go to a shop and get fitted or go second hand?

MrMiata

Hi all!

I'm looking to get into cycling (probably not the first time I posted that!).
I'm after a race bike, I think.. I had a mountain bike in the past - didn't go too well, i want something sleek and fast but aero is too expensive.

I've around €1000 to spend but ideally less, that's just for the bike and fit.

I don't know if I should be trawling Adverts and Donedeal or just bite the bullet go to my local bike shop (I know him well) and getting fitted for something..
I'd probably get less bang for my buck but it'd 100% fit me.

I'm 22, fairly athletic build, 169cm, 30" inseam (i'm guessing, including my foot).
After a quick look online that'd put me at around a 52cm frame.

Any and all suggestions are appreciated!

AndrewJRenko

What will you be using the bike for? Weekend spins? Club training? Commuting? Turbo sessions?

In general, if you're not too sure about your needs, it might be good to go for a cheaper second-hand model first and trying it out, to learn a bit about what you like and don't like.

ratracer

You will definitely get more bang for your buck secondhand. If you see a bike you like, check out the company website for sizing. If you get the right frame size, then it’s easy to tweak it with a bike fit to suit you perfectly.

MrMiata

AndrewJRenko wrote: »

What will you be using the bike for? Weekend spins? Club training? Commuting? Turbo sessions?

In general, if you're not too sure about your needs, it might be good to go for a cheaper second-hand model first and trying it out, to learn a bit about what you like and don't like.

Sport, I can't see myself commuting by bike 50km each way to college..
I want to get 'properly' fit, so I'd be using the bike multiple times per week, I'll look at joining a local cycling club too when I don't die after 5km.

Whyner

Second hand all the way, loads of bikes out there

https://www.adverts.ie/road-bikes/planet-x-rt57-ultegra/19525014

https://www.adverts.ie/road-bikes/fuji-transonic-2-3/17961179

https://www.adverts.ie/road-bikes/cannondale-caad12-size-52/19211595

MrMiata

Whyner wrote: »

Second hand all the way, loads of bikes out there

https://www.adverts.ie/road-bikes/planet-x-rt57-ultegra/19525014

https://www.adverts.ie/road-bikes/fuji-transonic-2-3/17961179

https://www.adverts.ie/road-bikes/cannondale-caad12-size-52/19211595

Great thanks!

I'm out Galway side so going to Dublin is a bit of a stretch..

That Cannondale down in Cork is lovely though.
It says the owner is around 4cm tall than me.
There's a good bit of movement in the seat post but would I be better looking at a smaller size again.. so being on the bigger end of the small bike than the smaller end of the big bike?

Whyner

52 sounds perfect. Don't limit yourself, I'm in Dublin and have bought 2 bikes that were in Kerry, which were both delivered to me in Dublin for free. Lots of sound people out there...