First road bike - help please

second hand on ebay is where I'd go with a £200 budget..

Unfortunately even second hand bikes sold on forums like this one are likely to be of higher spec and value to be considered for £200..

The lads are right, those BSO's are junk and a waste of money.

The Triban is unfortunately red.

You would be best placed looking for a used machine, just beware its not faulty, stolen or badly worn though, as even tyres, a chain and brake blocks all add up if you're on a budget.

£350.00 is usually what I tell people for a bike as a minimum.

Can you get anything on the cycle to work scheme?

As much as the comments so far might seem a tad harsh, that is the reality of the price point you are looking at.

The Triban 3 seems to be the go to 'starter bike' these days, it took the mantle from the the Carrera TdF due to it's carbon fork (not as good looking imho but then beauty is in the eye of the beholder, etc).

If red is a no no and the budget can be stretched then (no carbon forks mind) you could try this:
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_...

I'd take that over any in the links and if you have a store near you with one in stock and it is the display model, then ask for a bit more off the price - it can work.

I'd go along with Jason's very honest response, you will struggle at £200.

Matt, I really dont want to sound like an obnoxious snob, but all 3 links point to bike shaped objects that will probably do nothing but frustrate you or fall apart in 12 months time

If you want to go for a new bike, my only suggestion would be save another £100 and get a B'Twin Triban 3, unfortunately to get one with Carbon forks, you have to get the red one, but of color is more important than ride quality, the white one is the same price with a Alu fork