Brands of second hand bikes

[Randommoose]

I am looking at second hand bikes near me, most likely for something along the lines of a hybrid, maybe with front suspension, maybe not. There are so many though that I am getting a bit blind to it all! I am looking at the £150-£300 ish price range currently. Can anyone tell me which of these brands are better than others? I have put the models I am watching in brackets but I am mostly aiming to narrow down the brands first.

Specialized (Sirrus Sport and Myka models)
Orbea (MX50)
Cube (LTD Race)
Trek (7.0 FX)
Pinnacle (Chromium two)
Giant (Talon and Roam models)
Scott (various, some with suspension, some without)
Whyte Portobello (I suspect this will go over budget as I have heard they are very good. Also it is a long way away from me)

Thanks for any suggestions or "don't buy a X bike"!
Moose

 

[vickster]

Liv - women specific arm of Giant
Boardman, usually in plentiful supply
Decathlon - Btwin and Triban

 

[Randommoose]

Liv - women specific arm of Giant
Boardman, usually in plentiful supply
Decathlon - Btwin and Triban

Thank you, I will see if those come up. I haven't seen any Liv or Triban yet. Not buying Boardman as previous bad experience. I have seen a couple of Btwin but they have been in poor condition, I will bear the brand in mind for if any others are listed.

 

[Kestevan]

All of those are all decent manufacturers, and will all be comparable. They'll all use reputable components from shimano or Sram.

Main thing to look for will be age and condition.

 

[vickster]

Thank you, I will see if those come up. I haven't seen any Liv or Triban yet. Not buying Boardman as previous bad experience. I have seen a couple of Btwin but they have been in poor condition, I will bear the brand in mind for if any others are listed.

Given your budget, buy on condition (plus of course size and spec as appropriate for you) not brand

 

[Randommoose]

All of those are all decent manufacturers, and will all be comparable. They'll all use reputable components from shimano or Sram.

Main thing to look for will be age and condition.

Thank you, that is useful to know they are comparable.

Condition is the main way I am narrowing down so far as so many are in a bad way. The vast majority of the bikes for sale locally are Carrera bikes in poor condition.
Some of the Scotts and the Cube LTD Race are older models but still up for consideration as they are in good condition but most of the rest are 3 to 10 years old from what I can find out.

 

[Randommoose]

Given your budget, buy on condition (plus of course size and spec as appropriate for you) not brand

Good idea.
At this standard of bike is there much difference in performance between rim brakes and disc brakes? For riding mostly on roads, not fast, not significantly hilly, I won't be in mud in the rain (though will be on dry trails occasionally). I have my child on the bike and our combined weight is 85kg + bike weight + a pannier for bits. I have owned bikes with both, prefer discs but it opens up a lot more options if rim brakes work well for our situation as well.

 

[All uphill]

Imo fit, condition and colour are the top three things to look for.

If it doesn't fit walk away.
There are some older bikes that have had little or no use - I recently bought a 15 year old unused folding bike for £50.
Colour and appearance are important- if you like it you'll use it.

 

[Alex321]

I am looking at second hand bikes near me, most likely for something along the lines of a hybrid, maybe with front suspension, maybe not. There are so many though that I am getting a bit blind to it all! I am looking at the £150-£300 ish price range currently. Can anyone tell me which of these brands are better than others? I have put the models I am watching in brackets but I am mostly aiming to narrow down the brands first.

Specialized (Sirrus Sport and Myka models)
Orbea (MX50)
Cube (LTD Race)
Trek (7.0 FX)
Pinnacle (Chromium two)
Giant (Talon and Roam models)
Scott (various, some with suspension, some without)
Whyte Portobello (I suspect this will go over budget as I have heard they are very good. Also it is a long way away from me)

Thanks for any suggestions or "don't buy a X bike"!
Moose

Pinnacle are the own-brand for Evans cycles (and Sports Direct), while all the others are brands sold in multiple outlets, so I would be a little more wary of those, but as others have said, condition is more important than brand.

As to your other question - if you wil be riding moderately often in wet conditions, even on-road, then disc barkes are definitely better. If you are hardly ever going to be doing so, and are willing to adjust as necessary as pads wear, then there is not that much to choose between rim and disc brakes.

 

[AndyRM]

Condition and fit are the most important, aesthetics third.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

Are there any reputable places that sell used bikes

and offer some kind of warranty

could be useful - especially for people who don;t know much about what to look for beyond the most obvious

 

[Punkawallah]

Are there any reputable places that sell used bikes

and offer some kind of warranty

could be useful - especially for people who don;t know much about what to look for beyond the most obvious

My FLBS offers only 2nd hand bikes, and gives a 30 day warranty (not punctures).

 

[Gunk]

Ribble are worth looking at. We’ve owned a few, great value for money

 

[Gillstay]

Ridgeback are good, Marin are well made and most Dawes are fine.

 

[Andy in Germany]

Good idea.
At this standard of bike is there much difference in performance between rim brakes and disc brakes? For riding mostly on roads, not fast, not significantly hilly, I won't be in mud in the rain (though will be on dry trails occasionally). I have my child on the bike and our combined weight is 85kg + bike weight + a pannier for bits. I have owned bikes with both, prefer discs but it opens up a lot more options if rim brakes work well for our situation as well.

For your riding, you'll probably be fine with either. I (and a lot of other people here) use rim brakes, in my case V-Brakes, all year round. I prefer them for the simplicity and cost, and I find they have great stopping power. I've also cycled with two kids on my bike and a lot of luggage.