[email protected] wrote:
> There are some very cheap new bikes on eBay like this one:
>
> http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI....1189&_trksid=p3907.m32&_trkparms=tab=Watching
>
> Has anybody heard of these? I'm looking to get a road bike to get
> started and was hoping to get a cheap-n-cheerful second hand job, but
> often these new no-name bikes are cheaper. Any thoughts?
The components are very basic - the Tourney shifters are entry (fake MTB)
thumb shifters mounted on the handlebars (can be seen in the picture),
typical of catelogue BSO machines.
Are they really using a 27in wheel (as described) and not 700c ? Because if
they are, tyres are getting hard to find in anything but 27x1.25in, which is
a bit fat for a "race" bike.
They haven't a clue about assembly; the brake hoods are in the wrong place
on those bars.
No quoted frame dimensions, 20in could apply to almost any measurement.
Ignore the claimed retail price, have you ever seen one in a bike shop ? And
£449 for a bike with Tourney shifters when you can expect decent STI in 20
speed, (at least Sora), a carbon fork, and a brand name frame even in a
"full price" LBS.
Ultimately, depends "how much" and "how desperate you are", they seem to
close bidding at around £60, which is BSO territory.
Personally, I'd look elsewhere, perhaps the own-brand names of the big
outlets (Wiggle, Evans, Edinburgh, Halfords, etc), or the s/hand columns.
For example, Halfords have a "Carrera" branded racer at £225, with 16 speed
STI shifters, steel forks (sensible given the budget rules out carbon),
alloy frame.
- Nigel
--
Nigel Cliffe,
Webmaster at
http://www.2mm.org.uk/