My first road bike: Vitesse sprint vs Viking Citifix fixie

Hi,

Edit: looking to buy better quality second hand bikes now :smile:

One concern I have about road bikes actually is the handlebars. Is it comfortable to ride with these curved handlebars?

Thanks :smile:

(edited 11 years ago)

Reply 1

Foghorn Leghorn

Neither both are cheap and not very good quality and will end up breaking within a few months. Get a second hand one for the same price because the quality will be better.

https://www.ebay.co.uk

(edited 5 years ago)

Reply 2

tooambitious

Original post by Foghorn Leghorn

Neither both are cheap and not very good quality and will end up breaking within a few months. Get a second hand one for the same price because the quality will be better.

Which is the lesser of two evils? Buying these (both 2nd hand so just about £100) just for the time between now and university (hopefully ill get an internship in that time). Want to make sure i'm actually a cyclist (lol) before I make any type of commitment. The bike I had before this was a mountain bike that I've had since I was 11 so, I'm guessing these would be a step up :wink:

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Reply 3

Foghorn Leghorn

Original post by tooambitious

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Ohh well fair enough get the viking, I had one, it wasn't great but it did the job I suppose.

Reply 4

tooambitious

Original post by Foghorn Leghorn

Ohh well fair enough get the viking, I had one, it wasn't great but it did the job I suppose.

Just seen a some new bikes on gumtree: specialised dolce, any good?

Or some 'vintage' Raleighs?
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(edited 11 years ago)

Reply 5

Manitude

Original post by tooambitious

Just seen a some new bikes on gumtree: specialised dolce, any good?

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I've owned a couple of Specialised bikes and they've both been really good value for money - never had any serious mechanical failures after hundreds of miles.
I can't speak specifically for the dolce though.

Reply 6

tooambitious

Original post by Manitude

Better than the other two? Not certain of age yet though.

Thanks for all the input both of you :biggrin:

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Reply 7

tooambitious

The dolce is 4 years old, if that makes a difference

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Reply 8

sabian92

Drop handle bars are comfy - if the bike fits you. You have a naturally further reach (due to the style and the top tube being longer) and if it's too far you'll have sore wrists and your nads will hurt.

Reply 9

tooambitious

Original post by Manitude

Do you have any advice between a specialized Vienna 1 and a specialized globe (which is a stepthrough)? (£150 vs£100) both services within te last year

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(edited 11 years ago)

Reply 10

Aardvark1998

Well if you really insist on buying one of these two then buy the Viking. But honestly, both of them are going to be horrendous bikes. The components are going to be extremely flimsy and if you hit a pothole I imagine you'll trash the wheels very easily too. Spend a hundred quid more and get a second-hand bike with a bit of resale value behind it. It's a far, far better option. You'll end up with something that's probably a bit scratched and dirty but the components are going to be alright and it's going to ride a lot better than the two bikes you suggested. Any well known make will be alright, just look for reviews of the bikes online first.

Reply 11

tooambitious

Original post by bad_moose

See above, I was convinced by the others and now how those two options
Sadly, a specialized Langston was just sold before I could contact the seller :frown:

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Reply 12

Manitude

Original post by tooambitious

I'm afraid not, I cannot really comment on anything which isn't the models I've owned (Having said that, I can't remember the model names but I googled the ones you suggested and they are definitely not the same as what I have - mine were both mountain bikes!)

All I can really say is that I have been impressed by the good build quality of the two I've owned. I've yet to have any problems (other than chain coming off every now and then) after cycling several hundred miles.

Reply 13

Origami Bullets

Original post by tooambitious

The problem is that if you buy something cheap and horrible, then you won't find cycling enjoyable, and you'll probably give up. The difference between riding a nice bike and a not-so-nice bike has recently been underlined in my mind by getting mine serviced (and some fairly major parts replaced) after a year of heavy use. It's SO much nicer to ride, and I'm actually enjoying cycling again! You'll find the same sort of difference between a decent and crap bike - but servicing won't sort out the issues on the crap bike.

If you buy a decent bike second hand then should you find that cycling is not for you, then you will be able to resell it for (almost) the same amount you paid for it.

Reply 14

tooambitious

Original post by Origami Bullets

Don't worry, I've been convinced, we're past that now :tongue:

Looking at some specialized bikes now :smile:

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Reply 15

Teofilo

A Viking was my first bike. Unless you are riding on perfectly surfaces at all times, it won't last long.

Let's just say it wouldn't last too long in Paris-Roubaix. :cool: