Know much about bicycles?

[wildcat_lgf]

Depending if you can find one and their price...I would recommend a Jamis Eclipse or equivalent (never owned one...but almost - I was pipped at the post). They are a steel frame, but the lightest steel frame you can buy - prob equivalent to some alloy bikes.

Be careful buying 2nd hand alloy, they have a limited life compared with steel frames - their useful/recommended life is actually only about 5yrs before brittle and stress fractures settle in. Carbon has an even shorter recommended life.

Personally I think the components are the most impt, its the running gear that keeps you moving. I would look for something a little older (don't be too proud) but with decent running gear. Probably try for a bike with Shimano Tiagra components or even Shimano 106. Try to avoid a bike with "Sora" components as they are entry level. It would suffice, but components are what will give you the headaches and maintenance issues, not the frame.

An older bike with decent components is more likely to have had a decent rider maintaining and appreciating a solid bike reliable bike.

Having said all that, if you are going for alloy you probably want a low milage bike - and definately not crashed.

[MyGSXF:Me]

on ya bike!!!

[MisterD]

Rule of thumb:
Steel is gentle but heavy as a brick.
Alu is light but brittle and hard on reproductive (and other) organs
Ti is heavier than Alu but gentle like steel.
Carbon feels like riding crystallized air but is brittle and very expensive.
Go with Ti if you can afford it. Your prostate will thank you.
It may be a good idea to start with a decent frame and upgrade the groupset and wheels as you go. Don't repeat my mistake and get a grouppie with a granny gear. Helps a lot for those infinite climbs.
Carbon fork and seatpost are worthwhile investments.

I'm going to disagree with a bunch of this....

The only drawback with Steel is that it rusts, otherwise it's the perfect frame material...ask any roadie worth their lycra "Steel is real". If you come across a 2nd hand frame with a tag that says Reynolds 531 on it, grab it.

Entry level "proper" bikes (MTB and road) are all Aluminium alloy these days, machine welded up in asia. They're rigid as anything so great power transfer but a harsh ride - carbon forks and seat stays (the tubes from saddle to rear wheel) will take some of that "buzz" out.

Get the best bike you can afford now - and if you get serious it's cheaper to sell and upgrade the whole bike components on their own are silly expensive

[sAsLEX]

my new commuting tire

[Big Dog]

my new commuting tire

Crikey. Do slicks actually grip in the wet or do you have to go slower when raining?

When I last had a Velo style race bike I had a set with wets and a set with slicks but it used to get real hairy coming home on slicks in the rain on the days it was fine when you left home.

Lived in the naki at the time and coming down from the polytechnic there is a fairly steep hill that took some negotiating to make my turn in the wet with slicks on.
More often than not the back would step around
Almost as often the front would push
Sometimes they both skid in some kind of horrible dance this the devil
Throw in a couple of moving obstacles capable of mincing you and the downhill bikers don't seem so tough.

[sAsLEX]

Crikey. Do slicks actually grip in the wet or do you have to go slower when raining?

When I last had a Velo style race bike I had a set with wets and a set with slicks but it used to get real hairy coming home on slicks in the rain on the days it was fine when you left home.

Lived in the naki at the time and coming down from the polytechnic there is a fairly steep hill that took some negotiating to make my turn in the wet with slicks on.
More often than not the back would step around
Almost as often the front would push
Sometimes they both skid in some kind of horrible dance this the devil
Throw in a couple of moving obstacles capable of mincing you and the downhill bikers don't seem so tough.

Boys High hill or Cumberland st, ask K14 about helmets and that st......


Havent had the pleasure of getting rain on them yet, will update though when I do

[Big Dog]

Boys High hill or Cumberland st, ask K14 about helmets and that st......

Can't remember, moved away 8.5 years ago. Only lived there 8 or nine years in the first place. Boys high hill I would imagine and then take the hard left either first or second left. Either or destination was halfway between the two.
sometimes you would aim at the top one and find yourself up someones drive halfway to the next......