New Track Rider

Since 2001, over 90,000 cyclist's have joined Cycling Forums to discuss topics from general cycling to equipment, training, racing and travel or vacation destinations (especially in europe during the tour de france). We also feature an great deals in our online store, 100's of articles, classifieds and product reviews.

Hi there,
I am looking to start training on the track through the winter, and possibly a few races through the summer. I need to get a bike. The budget i am working to is rather tight and dont really want to spend much over £300. Second/third hand of course!! I live in Staffordshire but go to university in manchester. Does anyone know of any bikes for sale in this area. the size i need is 21" cc seat tube and 21.5" cc top tube-or anything clost to this.
I have been advised by some trackies that it is advisable not to go for a bike with a cheap chainset such as a miche as they dont have the same quality or chain type specific to the track.
Any help would be most helpful.
Cheers guys.
Phil

Hi The Power,
Check out the classifieds section on the forums, http://www.cyclingforums.com/classifieds/.
Or just ring around a few bike shops and see what the have to offer.
Good Luck.

Phil

This might be a bit obvious, apologies if you already are aware, but if you're going to train/race at Manchester Velodrome, you need to get a bike which has a high enough BB to cope with the banking (their rules not mine). If in doubt call the track & ask to speak to someone about it. They can give you tyre advice too which is important on the boards. You can always hire a bike at Manchester if needs be. To do the SQT training you will need to get accredited too. Info here.

http://www.manchestervelodrome.com/

They also have a buying/selling noticeboard at the Velodrome. Alternatively, for £7 you can go for an hour's 'taster' session, bike hire included, with a coach thrown in. Brilliant value & a good intro to get you through the skills/induction process to get accredited.

If it's Newcastle you're going to be training/racing at then BB height isn't as crucial a factor.

Suggest you keep your eye on here for bikes....

http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/classifieds/2003/classified_contents.shtml

or here

http://www.cyclingplus.co.uk/forum/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=8

or here

http://www.veloriders.co.uk/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=3

or sometimes even here

http://www.arborwood.com/awforums/show-toparea-1.php?fid=6272&taid=12&ut=1089954233

Good luck :)