Hi all,

I am new to this forum and will be arriving in Zurich in Mid May. I am looking to buy a used racing bike, 52-54 size, preferablly with a compact chainring (if that is what is suggested with all the hills around; presently i ride a standard in India).

From my research on this forum I think I have the following options.

1. Velomarkt.ch - directly contact owner
2. Richardo.ch - auction/bidding
3. Velo markets held in different cities - I guess Zurich one is in Aug and I would not want to wait that long.

I would like to test ride the bike before purchasing. I guess it is possible with option # 1 above but what about #2 and 3? Are there any shop around Zurich which sell used racing bikes? I will prefer a shop as I can get it properly set up for me. I am looking for something around 700 CHF. Is it a fair amount for a 4-5 years old used Alu/cf bike with 105 groupset?

Looking forward to riding with some of you. My biggest fear right now is adapting to the right side riding .

Cheers
Pankaj

Pankaj - can't really advise on the prices - I bought my bike new on the internet from www.chainreactioncycles.com - who deliver to Switzerland - and had the local bike shop put it together. That worked out cheaper than anything I could buy locally.

Regarding cycling on the "wrong" side of the road - it is not as scary as I anticipated - commuting to work by bike really helps you get used to using the right hand side of the road - and that helps if you need to drive as well.

I am sure some of the "bike nuts" will answer your questions about price...but CHF 700 seems a bit low for a decent bike. But I may be talking through my hat!

To be honest with you I would be very surprised if you would find a good road race bike for less than 1000CHF.

I've got a cross bike, that's a bit inbetween a normal city/touring bike and a sport/race bike. I quite like it, but I still spent quite a bit more than 1000 CHF on it.

might take a while with the current flight disruptions in Europe ..

I am not a bike expert, but I think you can get pretty decent used bikes for 700, enough to take you up the Alps safely. Of course, it requires some searching, and with a bigger budget you can get better stuff.

Happy to see one more Indian, that too a Bangalorean, on the cycling scene .

Right side riding didn't pose too much of a problem for me, but I still can't get the right hand for rear brake thing, luckily it hasn't resulted in a fall yet.

I believe salsa lover still has some bikes he can sell you. I am sure he'll be popping into this thread shortly.

He is looking for a used bike Alu Carbon/ Shimano 105 around 700.- 52/54 cm

I think at that price that can be found easily. Check out the Velobörse this weekend in Oerlikon, I'll be there helping a friend to find a city bike.

I don't have anything at that size and price, I do have a brand new/full Ultegra triple bike on that size with carbon seatstays and fork, but the price is CHF 1400.-, new with uncut steerer so it can be fited right for you, see sig if interested.

Thanks a lot to everybody who replied. I hope i should find a used racing bike for that price.

@SalsaLover - I would have loved to go to the Veloborse but I am arriving in Switzerland only in May. I will get to you if I decide to buy a new bike instead.
@Niranjan - Good to know another Indian rider. Hope to ride with you soon. Yeah, Bangalore is slowly becoming the cycling capital of India. We have even started an amateur bicycle championship here.

Cheers
Pankaj

VeloBörse in Zürich is every 2 weeks from April to September, you can allways go there and have a look first.

The bike I am offering is brand new, and costs half retail, the market was slow because of the cold wave, but it seems now the spring is finally here, so it would start to move soon.

Hi,

When and where is 'Velo boerse' open?

Thanks,
Karina

There is one in Rennens on the 1st of May

http://www.pro-velo.ch/fr/themes-et-...os/calendrier/

I have a barely used race bike built on a 53cm Klein Quantum Race frame with a 105 triple-ring set-up. Had it built in 2005 and put about 200 miles on it before our son was born. Was thinking of putting up for sale for chf 850 as I need a different bike to pull the kiddie trailer we just picked up. If you would lile to have a look at it and take it for a spin when you get in town let me know. We are in Zurich-Oerlikon.

John

Hi John,

I would be really interested. Thanks for posting up.
I have PMed you for more details if you do not mind.
Will contact you when I arrive in Zurich.

Cheers
Pankaj

Hi guys,

I'm going to the Velo Boerse tomorrow in Zurich...are there a lot of dodgy sellers there or have people generally found some quite good stuff?

I'm under the impression they let you take it for a test ride if you show your Auslanderausweis - is that right or am I deluded?

Thank you!

not "dodgy" sellers, but you get what you pay for.

Mostly you'll find old bikes at low prices and rather OK bikes are "standard" prices. And there is a seller there (Re-Cycle ) who has very nice bikes at rather high but reasonable enough prices.

The bikes are checked by the mechanics team before getting accepted to be put for sale in the velobörse, however this checkup is not in-depth.

But you can assume that the bike is in OK conditions and is safe to use.

Worse that could happen is that you end paying too much for a particular bike, ( being "too much" a relative concept )

There is a team of mechanics to give advice about a bike, usually there is a long row of people waiting for the advice though.

Tonight I am going with my friend to the Wintertur festival so I am not really sure if I could come early tomorrow.

Anyway If I come it won't be for long, I am still looking for the elusive vintage Bianchi, but there is a very low probability I find it there anyway.