Looking for a new second-hand commuting road bike

[Will]

Any recommendations on where to look for a new second-hand road bike that I can use for commuting?

I'm after something that will be good enough to enable me to compete safely in the usual inter-commuter races, but not so flash so as to attract attention from criminals if I want to leave it locked up around town. I don't know how much I will need to pay, but would hope to pick up something for a few hundred quid?

This is to replace an ailing Peugeot road bike, in 531, with 105 groupset. It has served me well for the last 10 years, but I think it has now reached the end of its natural life.

[For the record, my current bike needs a new chain, cassette, chainrings, front shifter, front mech, jockey wheels, bottom bracket, headset & gear cables. I'll have to pay labour to get some of that done (cos the bits are either seized, or I don't have the tools). Plus the steerer on the forks snapped a while ago, and I got them replaced with a second-hand pair which don't have a rake, and feel too twitchy for my liking. Considering all of that, I reckon it'll be better to replace it!]

[Rob]

if you wait till march 19th time, ill do all the labour on the bike for free, you just deliver me the bike and parts. i cant fix a puncture, but i do have talents elsewhere!!!

[Will]

I like the idea of getting a fixed gear bike, and will probably consider it as an option...

But, ideally, I'd like a bike that I could use every so often for a club run. If I got a fixed gear bike, I'd probably need another bike with gears for hills. With 4 bikes already, not sure I've got the space for too many more!

[virek]

Just ride the fixie!!! Others have, you'll see the benefit of the fixie soon enough...one gear, one way