any suggestions for buying a first road bike?

[drcarlos]

that will be waaay too small for him

Hmmm...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Chas-Roberts- ... 6016.l4276

It's 23.5" which is 60cm though, you just suggested 60-62cm?

Carl.

 

[legrandefromage]

looked a bargain.

 

[drcarlos]

looked a bargain.

Didn't think it looked too bad if you put in an offer of £120 and it was accepted, depends if you want something now or you can wait for a bargain of a hidden gem.
Seller is an idiot though as he is mis-selling though it's a 1988 bike and quite easy to dig out this information and if anyone bought it for L'Eroica as he suggests it's not eligible as the cut off is 1987.

Carl.

 

[legrandefromage]

Most people see L'Eroica as anything that isnt carbon...

 

[NeilM]

Re:

Most people use L'Eroica as a byword, just like all Colnago's are 'rare'. :facepalm:

 

[ultrazenith]

What does L'Eroica even mean (I know what it means literally)?

 

[NeilM]

What does L'Eroica even mean (I know what it means literally)?

In this case it refers to sportives for older bikes.

L'Eroica is held in Italy in October and L'Eroica Britannia is held in Derbyshire in June.

To qualify, bikes must have been made before 1987 (there are a few more rules, but that's the gist).

 

[The History Man]

BIGGER

 

[dirttorpedo]

Here is my perspective. Old bikes (early 80's vintage and older) fit differently than more modern steel bikes (90's and later). I'm 6'1" and riding a early 90's racing frame and its a bit big at a 58 x 58 square style frame. I could probably get away with a 56 x 56 square or an undersquare 58 x 56.5 frame. There is lots of room to customize your fit with different length stems, raising your stem to raise the bars, etc. If you go with a 90's bike you should get index shifting, modern gears and possibly early generation brifters which are nice to have unless you like down tubes or bar ends and friction. I'd buy my first road bike in person and test ride it rather than buy via eBay sight unseen until you get to know what fits you.

 

[legrandefromage]

64cm Geoff Wiles - 525 steel - £70
Big and garish! Few marks ideal commuter/ hack

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