Bikes around £150, do they exist?

[kc100]

What does this one look like to you all? Nowehere near me but could possibly convince parents to collect this one!
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Viking-El...173?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item2352dacc1d

 

[Brandane]

Another possible route to go down is to use the likes of Evans for some window shopping. Exaggerate a tad and tell them you have £1000 to blow on a road bike under the cycle to work scheme, and they will be bending over backwards to give you a test ride on something decent. Ask if you can take it for a good few miles to get a true feel for the bike. Trouble is, you might find that you really DO like it..............
As others have already said, cheap bikes are really nasty, made from the worst of components and might just put you off the whole idea. A good bike on the other hand will have you reaching for the credit card, pronto.

 

[Simontm]

As with the above, £150 you're struggling.

As @zizou said there are charity sites you can always try. The one nearest to me is in New Malden Kingston eco-op . Prices are around £50+ Also there are some second hand bike shops like Recycle . A bit pricier around £100+

 

[Hitchington]

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.

I had a bike made of cheese once. It was a BrieMX

 

[summerdays]

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!

It doesn't have to be used to cycle the whole way to work, I'm not sure of the exact rules but it does allow for a bike to be used for part of the journey so either setting off by car and then parking up a suitable distance from work or using the train for part of the journey.

 

[aberal]

I forked out £1000 on a bike which I'd agonised about for weeks. It just seemed to much money to spend on a bike. That was in 2001. Still got it. So look at it another way, it cost way less than £100 a year, thus was as cheap as a cheap thing. Bikes are extraordinary good value if you look at it like that. So here's an alternative plan - get yourself an interest free credit card, buy a decent/fabulous bike for 1000+ quid and pay it back at £50 a month (or whatever) and cut up the credit card and never use it again. Milk the system. And if you don't like the bike - sell it for £750. What have you really lost?

 

[Crackle]

What does this one look like to you all? Nowehere near me but could possibly convince parents to collect this one!
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Viking-El...173?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item2352dacc1d

It's OK. Viking deliver basic bikes to a price. It won't be the lightest or the best specced but it is a bike rather than a bike shaped object. I wouldn't pay too much more than the asking price for it. You'll need new bar tape obviously but also new pedals as they are clipped pedals on it, which I'm sure you won't want to start on.

You don't necessarily need a ladies fit bike. You just need a bike that fits. At your height, that might even be too small for you. Reach is normally the most crucial factor rather than standover height.

 

[sidevalve]

Don't be afraid of second hand if the price is right. Sorry but a cassette and chain on E bay for a bike of the sort you will buy [and the use you will give it] can be found for well under £25 - I have have done just this only a few weeks ago. Add a few quid for the LBS to fit and there you go. Tyres/tubes are consumables anyway so you are going to have to buy those eventually what ever you do. Also try a few LBS and see if they do second hand bikes - quite a few do and they MUST be ok and fit to ride [otherwise the shop is breaking the law and you can demand your money back]. As a rule look for a weight under 12kg [many bikes don't seem to mention weight in their adverts - wonder why ?]
PS - There is nothing wrong with steel frames if of good quality Look for 531 double butted tubing [if it has then it WILL say so in the ad] and you will find only the upper class bikes of today can match it.
As an idea of what is out there my Dawes cost £50, needed only a good clean and lube and some handlebar tape [ok I fitted a saddle but I didn't have to] weighs in at 10 ish kg and is a great ride. Just be patient and keep your eyes open.

 

[tfg71]

second hand is way to go - I am looking at a couple on gumtree and ebay. we also have a local shop called recyke a bike = they find old bikes landfill, donations etc and check them over. they then tidy them up , replace any parts and service them . they put the price of the parts used and stick about 40 quid on top for labour. my friend has purchased his kids bikes from there rather than forking out good money that will soon be out grown. I missed out on a couple of crackers in there.

 

[cyberknight]

Dont just limit yourself to female specific bikes, assuming the seat height + reach to bars is right you can ride a "mans/unisex" bike just as well.Female specific bikes tend to have a shorter top tub , a shorter stem could make it right .

 

[vickster]

I've just done 15 miles on this, cost me £501 (with ladies saddle). The smallest size should fit someone who is 5'4 or 5'5. Rides really well, no slower than my other bikes which cost 3x as much (ok it's good value at the full £800m so half as much). I'm the limiting factor, not the bike (oh as well as the rubbish Friday rush hour traffic). The SRAM hoods are great for smaller female hands

If you don't like riding it, break it for parts and get most of your money back

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/CBPXRT58ALRIV22/planet-x-rt-58-alloy-sram-rival-22-road-bike

They do 6 months interest free credit.

 

[dee.jay]

I wouldn't buy a new bike for £150. I bought a new bike for £129.99 and it went back within a week. It was rubbish.

I bought a new £330 bike and it lasted about 4 months. I've now got a £1K bike and it's sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet.

Honestly for that money as others have said I'd go 2nd hand.

 

[biggs682]

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 cycle to work scheme doesnt mean you can only use it for cycling to work so could be worth a look at

i normally have a couple of retro road bikes and the occasional more modern one for sale and if ever you are passing Wellingborough in Northamprtonshire you are more than welcome to come and try a retro road bike and the majority of them have been serviced before sale at my local bike shop

 

[Saluki]

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!

How about telling them that you are getting off the train a stop early and commuting the 5 miles (or however far) from the station, or from out of town parking if you travel by car

 

[annedonnelly]

I don't think many of the cycle to work schemes actually check whether you use it to go to work. Some people buy them for their kids!