Buying used-worth the hassle

[Boragaincyclist]

Hi, in my experience where used bargains fall down is physically getting the bike. If it's more than 15 miles away it is not worth the petrol and no one will deliver a bike for a sensible price.

What do people normally do when a bike is, say, in north Yorkshire and you live in Devon? It isn't worth travelling to nor getting delivered, so is the value of buying used a myth?

I think it is and would like someone to explain how it is anything more than a myth

 

[vickster]

I bought a used bike recently. 3 hour round trip. Would have cost £400 more new. Certainly worthwhile

 

[Boragaincyclist]

So how much petrol did you spend for that? And time off work, etc. Doesn't make much sense to me.

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

So how much petrol did you spend for that? And time off work, etc. Doesn't make much sense to me.

Eh? How much do you get paid?

 

[HarryTheDog]

I have only ever bought one brand new bike for myself and that was 2 months ago and I am now micked off as they are knocking 550 quid off them now to make way for new 2017 models. I have bought many used bikes for myself and the family and saved myself a fortune, they were all bikes that were over 1,000 new and got them all at a fraction of the new cost. Best one was my wifes Kuoto KOM EVO, 3,400 new I paid 1,200 9 months later because the guy just didn't like it.( he bought a Pinarrelo Dogma instead) . My Cannondale CX9 was 1100 new I got in on ebay for 400 quid, 2 months old been ridden once, sold by a lady who did not like the fat tyres. ( too dim to realise she could have just changed the tyres not the whole bike) .
cheap bikes maybe not worth it, the higher up the range you go you just need to find someone with more money than sense who wants to get rid of their toy as they have a new one.

 

[MontyVeda]

So how much petrol did you spend for that? And time off work, etc. Doesn't make much sense to me.

could easily pick one up over the weekend, or on a day off... and i reckon £400 pounds worth of petrol will go quite a long way. I lived in Cumbria when i bought my 2nd hand MTB... 120 mile round trip. Still a bargain which ever way you look at it.

 

[raleighnut]

Some people travel quite a distance to collect their bikes.

I'm heading off now to collect my e-bay "win" (Ridgeback Panorama). It's a 900 mile round trip! I will be making a short holiday of it though; a few nights camping in Oxfordshire incorporating some mileage on the new steed.

 

[Deleted member 35268]

YOU CAN GET A BIKE SHIPPED FOR £23 with Paisley Freight

You can book it all online.

ITS VERY VERY EASY - sorry to shout.

p.s. I spent a whole day trying to work out how to get a cheap bike from A to B. Couriers, Royal Mail, etc etc. It was a guy on this forum who told me about Paisley Freight.

 

[Adam4868]

Same as cars really,once you ride or drive it you lose a lot ! I've never bought new of either.

 

[Boragaincyclist]

YOU CAN GET A BIKE SHIPPED FOR £23 with Paisley Freight

You can book it all online.

ITS VERY VERY EASY - sorry to shout.

p.s. I spent a whole day trying to work out how to get a cheap bike from A to B. Couriers, Royal Mail, etc etc. It was a guy on this forum who told me about Paisley Freight.

I was enthused by your suggestion until I checked their website and it says that the bicycle has to be boxed to be eligible for the shipping service. Good luck trying to get the seller to source a box big enough for a bicycle to go in and then getting them to package it etc.

Same as cars really,once you ride or drive it you lose a lot ! I've never bought new of either.

That's not my point though. You buy a bike used to get a bargain, if it's halfway up the country the travel costs or delivery costs take a bit chunk out of that bargain. Why pay £50 quid to get a £150 bike delivered?

 

[Jody]

I bought mine (24 months old) and saved £1000 from buying it new and it came with paperwork. Guy needed a quick sale to buy a different bike he had lined up. Definitely worth the 100 mile round trip to York. There are bargains to be had if you look and are confident with maintenance. But you take the rough with the smooth and have to accept there will be some parts worn.

 

[MontyVeda]

I was enthused by your suggestion until I checked their website and it says that the bicycle has to be boxed to be eligible for the shipping service. Good luck trying to get the seller to source a box big enough for a bicycle to go in and then getting them to package it etc.

Maybe the seller could pop into a local bike shop and ask for a bike box. It's likely they'll have one or a few spare since most bikes will be delivered in a box but not necessarily sold in one.

That's not my point though. You buy a bike used to get a bargain, if it's halfway up the country the travel costs or delivery costs take a bit chunk out of that bargain. Why pay £50 quid to get a £150 bike delivered?

it seems your mind is made up on the subject.

 

[Deleted member 35268]

I was enthused by your suggestion until I checked their website and it says that the bicycle has to be boxed to be eligible for the shipping service. Good luck trying to get the seller to source a box big enough for a bicycle to go in and then getting them to package it etc.



That's not my point though. You buy a bike used to get a bargain, if it's halfway up the country the travel costs or delivery costs take a bit chunk out of that bargain. Why pay £50 quid to get a £150 bike delivered?

Well maybe I was lucky, I did not even have to ask the seller to get a bike box, they understood that if they wanted to sell an item for collection only, but accept couriers, they may have to package the thing up. Can you ask the seller?

 

[outlash]

I think it is and would like someone to explain how it is anything more than a myth

I did a 140 mile round trip to get my Condor, it was a bargain and spending the £20(ish) petrol to get it was no price at all to pay for what is a gorgeous bike. If you can't be arsed to do that, don't complain.

 

[Boragaincyclist]

Sellers who offer postage know the score regarding getting a bike box, they are usually £5.00 or free from local bike shops. Its no big deal.

Actually is this a wind up?

Yes you got me, it was actally all a windup All I know is that I need a new bike by the end of the week and the btwin Rockrider is looking a very attractive option compared to scouring through endless eBay and gumtree adverts that never seem to have a suitable bike.