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Get the size right first, then judge the groupset and the wear. Most riders between 172 and 182 cm fit a 54 to 56 cm frame, but brands measure differently, so compare stack and reach and do a test ride. An aluminium road bike with Shimano 105 in good order sells for about 400 to 750 euro used, and carbon bikes need a careful look for cracks.
Road bike sizes are usually given in cm, sometimes as S, M, L. As a starting point:
A 56 from one brand can ride like a 54 from another, because the cm figure is measured along the seat tube in different ways. Look up the geometry of the exact model and year and compare two numbers: stack (how high the handlebars sit) and reach (how far forward). If your current bike fits, compare with that.
On the test ride, you should be able to reach the brake hoods with a slight bend in your elbows, without locking your arms or feeling cramped. Saddle height can be set, and a stem swap can fix a centimetre or two of reach, but not a wrong frame. A rough saddle height is your inseam times 0.883, measured from the centre of the bottom bracket to the top of the saddle.
The groupset (gears and brakes) says a lot about the bike's quality and value. Shimano's road ranges from entry to top are Claris, Sora, Tiagra, 105, Ultegra and Dura-Ace. SRAM and Campagnolo have their own lines. A 105 bike is the sweet spot for most riders: durable, light enough and cheap to maintain.
Disc brakes are now standard on newer bikes and stop better in the wet. Older rim-brake bikes are cheaper and lighter, and plenty of riders still prefer them, but check the rims for wear: many have a small indicator groove or dot that disappears when the rim is worn.
Carbon is strong but can hide damage after a crash. Look and feel carefully, ideally in daylight.
Chains, cassettes and chainrings wear together. A chain checker tool costs a few euro; if the chain is stretched, the cassette is probably worn too, which adds 60 to 150 euro to your costs. Shift through every gear on the stand and on the ride. A rear derailleur that sits crooked usually means a bent hanger from a fall.
Spin the wheels: they should run straight and quietly, and the hubs should feel smooth. Check the tyres for cuts, and ask when the bar tape and cables were last replaced.
Older steel racefietsen from Dutch and Italian brands, such as Gazelle Champion Mondial, Batavus, Koga Miyata, Peugeot and Bianchi, are popular and often affordable. Many need new tyres, cables and brake pads. Check for rust inside the frame, a stuck seat post and stretched chains. Vintage bikes use older standards, so replacement parts can take some hunting. Searching for frame size and groupset together saves a lot of scrolling, since many listings bury the size in the description.
| Item | Typical asking price |
|---|---|
| Vintage steel racefiets, rideable | EUR 100-300 |
| Aluminium, Shimano Claris or Sora | EUR 250-450 |
| Aluminium, Shimano Tiagra or 105 | EUR 400-750 |
| Carbon, Shimano 105, rim or disc | EUR 700-1,300 |
| Carbon, Ultegra or electronic shifting | EUR 1,200-2,500 |
Rough Marktplaats asking prices in the Netherlands. Condition, age and season move them a lot.
Describe what you want in your own words and vindje.com searches Marktplaats in Dutch, then reads every listing and keeps only the real matches. For example:
Road bike with Shimano 105, frame 56 cm, aluminium or carbon, not crashed, under 800 euro, within 25 km of EindhovenSearch Marktplaats like this
As a start: 52 to 54 cm for 167 to 174 cm, 54 to 56 cm for 174 to 182 cm, 56 to 58 cm for 182 to 189 cm. Check the model's stack and reach before buying.
Usually, if it has not been crashed. Inspect the head tube, bottom bracket and top tube for cracks and ask about crash history.
Shimano 105 is the best value for most riders. Tiagra is fine for occasional rides, Ultegra adds lighter weight and finer shifting.
Dutch for road bike: drop handlebars, narrow tyres and a light frame, built for speed on tarmac.