Getting a Second Hand Bike

[cycleman]

I then found your site & read all the 'sticky's' and decided to try and get a second hand bike.

I found a place in London that have a range that have been refurbished, reconditioned, and tested from auctions. they have a warrenty and 2 week exchange period.

They also change defective parts with similar or upgraded ones.

I will go and visit them tomorrow, but the question I have is this.

Would it be better for me to get a cheap new bike from Argos or Tesco's, or, get a second hand bike from the place I'm going to as a stop gap until I can afford a better one.

I would like a new bike for around £80-£100. But if it is going to fall to bits after a small period I don't want it.

However, if I knew it was going to last 5-6 months mefore showing defects then that would be OK.

My aim is to syle 10-12 hours per week.

Any help I would be grateful.


cycleman

 

[Ivan Ardon]

A £100 second hand bike should be rather nice. A £100 supermarket bike will be absolute junk.

 

[Kovu]

Totally agree ... go for the second hand one, you'll have a rather handy little bike, and really the supermarket one will fall to bits quicker.

 

[PpPete]

Better still can you find somewhere with a workshop where you can borow all the tools? if such a place exists surely it would be in London?
Then you can buy a £50 bike....

 

[Twenty Inch]

A £100 second hand bike should be rather nice. A £100 supermarket bike will be absolute junk.

+ 1. Tescos don't sell bikes, they sell "bike-shaped objects" and if you buy one you'll regret it. Better off giving your money to the first Big Issue seller you see.

 

[swee'pea99]

Secondhand, without a doubt. Do you have any idea about maintenance? If not, it's worth learning - it's not hard, and paying someone else to do it can be very costly. Checkout bicycletutor.com for starters.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

+1 second hand. Argos and Tesco's BOS's make Halfrauds look good !!!!

 

[fred_dillon]

2nd hand

second hand, keep an eye on ebay, I picked up a Claud Butler Criterium for £45, with a broken spoke on rear wheel, and a ladies saddle, so cost £30 to sort, now ride a nice "retro" bike

 

[cycleman]

[quote name='swee'pea99']Secondhand, without a doubt. Do you have any idea about maintenance? If not, it's worth learning - it's not hard, and paying someone else to do it can be very costly. Checkout bicycletutor.com for starters.[/quote]

Thanks a lot for your replies, I'm going to check out the shop now.

I was going to buy from Argos but they were out of stock & tesco's take to long to deliver.

I can do most of the maintanance as I have my Haynes Bike Book as I have had three bikes previously 2 of them stolen one I gave away.

I will let you know how I get on.

cycleman

 

[cycleman]

I have just got back from the bike shop & I have seen some good offers.

I saw 1 full suspension bike called an Apollo FS26 with a steel frame 18 gears for £89. The guy offered it to me for £80 in cash

The second one was a hybrid Multitrack 721 bike with a frame made of chrome/alloy for £110.

The final one was a Mountain track 850 with slick tyres for low resistance on the roads. This was also a hybrid with a chrome/alloy frame and this was £99 and had front suspension.

I told the guy I would be cycling 10-12 hours per week, I will be going up some high roads.

He suggested I get one of the hybrid bikes, as the full suspension bike was heavy for the road, and the hybrid would last longer.

He said I could still take any bike but just made me aware of all the pros & cons

I know nothing about bikes, but the hybrid did feel more comfortable so Im inclined to go with that.

What are your thoughts. I will be going back in a few days.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

The Apollo is a Halfrauds bike (bottom of range at that). Do not touch it. IMHO

The Multitrack 721 sounds great as does the Mountain track 850. I would test ride both and go from there.

I'm sure more knowledgeable people will be along soon to provide more in-depth info

 

[Twenty Inch]

^ +1