Saint wrote:

Well summer is (nearly) here and it's time to satisfy my craving for a new
bike. Was just wondering where the best place was to advertise the one I
need to sell as it's just less than 12 months old.

I'd welcome some advice on a new machine too. Definitely want a road bike
with drops, mainly for training at my own pace and leisure riding (i.e will
not be used for racing).

I have looked at a few makes including Giant which seems to be good, Trek,
Specialized, Scott and Cannondale. Recommendations from any of these most
welcome as this is the first 'proper' road bike I have ever bought so I
can't really determine good from bad - yet!

The other option is to have something custom built. My LBS is in Liverpool
and are a very friendly bunch who make their own frames and build bikes to
your spec. I'm torn between two different types of excitement - getting a
new 'name' model or the excitement of having one built to spec.

Final question is where I can buy 2003 bikes? The Giant OCR4 from 2003
looks a great machine but the equivalent '04 machine is a lousy colour.

My budget is about £800 and could go a bit higher at a push. I want
something that goes like the proverbial, is light, smooth and that will last
me for years. Not much to ask is it? ;-)

In that case you're probably looking at something with a triple chainset
- this would get you laughed at in a race but is increasingly common for
leisure "sport" riding.

I don't think you'll get a decent custom built bike for that price.
Beware anything made of steel that tries to look like aluminium as it
will weigh a ton. Also bear in mind that aluminium frames will
eventually break, although the best ones will actually last longer than
a shoddily built steel frame (a carefully brazed steel frame will last
indefinitely though). With a triple you should be looking at a
without-pedals weight of 20-22lb. The Cannondale R600 Triple is worth
looking at for £839: http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=3555

Alternatively, buy a custom frame and fit the components from your old
bike. They're hardly going to be worn unless you've been round the
world in the last year. The frame and forks will be easy enough to
sell, and a lot easier to post!