Bikes around £150, do they exist?

[kc100]

Trying not to be too repetitive and ask the same questions you must get a million times a day....

I've had a good read through some of the stickies and other threads which have all been really helpful - I'm completely new to cycling and just need a few pointers where to start!

I want a road bike (I've worked that much out), it will only be used for riding on the roads (maybe even joining a cycling club one day if I'm feeling brave), not to be used for commuting or anything else, I dont fancy taking on the M6 on a bike on a daily basis.

I've not sat on a bike for at least 10 years so this is my main issue, I'm reluctant to spend loads on a bike only to discover that I actually hate it. So does such thing exist as a half decent bike (i.e. beginner appropriate) for around £150 or dare I say it, less? I'm trying to avoid second hand as I've not got a clue what I'm looking for but do you think second hand might be the only way to go on my budget? If so what should I be looking for (I dont even know what size I'd need, I'm female FYI and around 5"4).

What are the other basics that I need, other than a helmet of course?

Sorry for the boring newbie questions! Just been thinking about starting cycling for a long time and finally getting around to thinking about this properly.

 

[Deleted member 35268]

Hi

Please avoid trying buy a "new" road bike at this price - it will be rubbish.

Would you be prepared to try and buy from Gumtree or Ebay.

For your money, a Carrera (Halfords) is probably your price point, but the geometry won't be suited to girls necessarily.
I would say to try and avoid ending up with some old 80's steel classic, or a heavy older Aluminium bike like a Viking


Check out some of these completed Ebay listings to see the sort of thing you can get for your dosh.
Make sure the bike for sale is in good working order. It would be easy to buy something with a knackered cassette and chain that you'd have to pay £30 to sort

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dawes-Gir...754?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item1c54c88d1a
This Dawes Giro really stands out.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Brand-New...348?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item1a0169eafc

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Specializ...628?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item20fd754584

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Road-bike-/171827788461?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item2801bbfaad

Please note these are completed listings from the whole UK


Really depends where you are, and if you are willing to go pick up.

 

[Cadire]

Hi KC.
As a fellow newcomer to cycling, all I can say is that if you buy a new road bike for £150 you will almost certainly hate it!

For a new bike I'm afraid that you will need to add at least £100 (for some of the Decathlon offerings for example http://www.decathlon.co.uk/C-359113-road-bikes) to get something that you might actually enjoy riding.

If your budget is fixed, then second hand is the way to go... just make sure you seek advice on any potential purchase from a knowledgeable friend or forum).

Accessories, well.... padded under-shorts will be a necessity when you start, and maybe a bottle holder and bottle. Spare inner tubes, pumps, multi-tools, are also big favourites of people. For clothing, Decathlon do a nice line in reasonably priced cycling gear.

In any event, good luck!

 

[Paul99]

IMO unless you go secondhand then no, you won't get a half decent bike for £150.

If you can up your budget, then you could get something new like a Triban 300 (£250) or Triban 500 (£350) and have a bit of security that if you do hate riding it then you could sell it and recoup most of your money. If you buy a new bike for £150 you'll probably struggle to sell it for anywhere near you paid for it.

 

[Deleted member 35268]

There is/was a Womens geometry Carrera...like so

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Carrera-w...477?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item4d33e6826d

 

[uphillstruggler]

@kc100 Have you posted in the wanted thread?

there are a few ladies who like to buy new fairly regularly - you never know what may be lurking in a shed or two.

 

[4F]

Agree with all of the above. As a new budget basic starter then you you would be hard pressed to beat the triban range from Decathalon but then you are looking at £ 250 as a minimum. Anything less new then it will be a heavy piece of **** made out of cheese components which you will hate.

Otherwise second hand is the way forward, such as this
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Trek-2200...400?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item2352c14da8

 

[mjr]

If buying second-hand is too scary, could you borrow one to try? Ask around local newcomers/easyrider/freewheeling groups, or maybe at work. If you've just dropped from the sky as far as they're concerned and it's a loan of more than a few days, they might ask for some security/deposit and a promise to replace any bits you bend. Or in some parts of the country you might be able to hire one but then you definitely lose the money.

 

[jonny jeez]

Trying not to be too repetitive and ask the same questions you must get a million times a day....

I've had a good read through some of the stickies and other threads which have all been really helpful - I'm completely new to cycling and just need a few pointers where to start!

I want a road bike (I've worked that much out), it will only be used for riding on the roads (maybe even joining a cycling club one day if I'm feeling brave), not to be used for commuting or anything else, I dont fancy taking on the M6 on a bike on a daily basis.

I've not sat on a bike for at least 10 years so this is my main issue, I'm reluctant to spend loads on a bike only to discover that I actually hate it. So does such thing exist as a half decent bike (i.e. beginner appropriate) for around £150 or dare I say it, less? I'm trying to avoid second hand as I've not got a clue what I'm looking for but do you think second hand might be the only way to go on my budget? If so what should I be looking for (I dont even know what size I'd need, I'm female FYI and around 5"4).

What are the other basics that I need, other than a helmet of course?

Sorry for the boring newbie questions! Just been thinking about starting cycling for a long time and finally getting around to thinking about this properly.

Hi KC,

I would second the Decathlon offering but, clearly they are not in your budget.

Or as Mjray says why not consider renting a bike for a month and seeing how you feel. Failing that, take the plunge and go along to your local riding club and see if any members have an old N+1 that you can borrow, I am sure they will...this would kill two birds with one stone.

 

[sanddancer]

Hi kc100.
If your working, does your company do bike to work scheme ?
Or if your a housewife maybe where your husband works does.

as for kit. Aldi and lidl do cheap clothes and accessories etc in their special buys. They arent due for another month or three but an aldi near me still had tons of stuff from their last offers.

 

[zizou]

Perhaps there is something like this near where you live www.thebikestation.org.uk/

 

[kc100]

Hi kc100.
If your working, does your company do bike to work scheme ?
Or if your a housewife maybe where your husband works does.

as for kit. Aldi and lidl do cheap clothes and accessories etc in their special buys. They arent due for another month or three but an aldi near me still had tons of stuff from their last offers.

They do indeed have a cycle to work scheme which is great...however I commute 35 miles each way, and the only route to work is up the M6.....as much as I'd like to try I dont think I could get away with claiming I was cycling to work!

 

[kc100]

@kc100 Have you posted in the wanted thread?

there are a few ladies who like to buy new fairly regularly - you never know what may be lurking in a shed or two.

Great idea - will do that thank you!

 

[Captain Slackbladder]

I was trying to advise a work colleague a while back who had the same kind of dilema on a budget. I started sniffing round the classifieds for a decend second hand bike for commuting before he did exactly what I told him not to, clunk of junk from Sports Direct...ah well!

 

[kc100]

I was trying to advise a work colleague a while back who had the same kind of dilema on a budget. I started sniffing round the classifieds for a decend second hand bike for commuting before he did exactly what I told him not to, clunk of junk from Sports Direct...ah well!

Dont worry, I wont be going down that route! My dad and sister both cycle (they just live a very long way away from me so cant steal theirs!) and I know that a cheap piece of tat will definitely put me off for life, I want something half decent (read not weighing the same as my horse!) and seems second hand will be my only option, just hard to know what I'm looking for as a newbie! Will be tapping my sister up I think despite her being more mountain bike orientated....