Help! Finding a quality 2nd hand bike on my budget?

[Mayfayre]

Hi, i'm looking for advice on finding a second hand bike.
I would buy a new one but i can't afford it! And i ned a bike ASAP for commutng to university.
I don't want a department store type bike (if i buy one just for now i'm essentially throwing away how much money i can spend later because i don't have a regular income),
I want something that will last me for about 3 years for university commuting as well as my main mode of transport around the countryside here.
I'm torn between using it on the road only or going off into the hill - so i'd like to keep my options open regarding hybrid/road/mountain bike with slick tyres put on.

I'm looking for a bike with a 16 inch frame (female but don't need women's specific if not available, just a small bike), What should i look for to know it's a quality bike? How do i know i'm not getting something terrible for my money? I was told to look out for accessories on the bike like shimano, and to make sure it has a minimum of 21 speed. Is this correct?

I can afford 200 pounds for a 2nd hand, only 250 at a huge squeeze for a new bike, which i'm told isn't enough for anything in my local bike store which starts at 300... (i looked at a vita hybrid with skinny tyres, a specialised hybrid and a myka mountain bike, i liked the vita and the mountain bike best.)
What are good names for bikes in the lower end of the market that aren't going to be horrible or rust to pieces in weeks?

Where is a good place to go for refurbished or second hand bikes? I've tried ebay, but nothing in my price range that isn't kids bikes or looks like it was from argos (apollo? isn't that what argos stock?)
I can try the equivalent in my local bike shop if i need to order it online... they don't stoke second hand bikes and as i don't drive pick up would be a pain...

 

[marinyork]

Universities have bike auctions at the start of term/year sometimes. There are also bike charities that sell them on (can't remember the name, sure someone will say soon). Also freecycle perhaps?

btw.

 

[Willow]

give us some idea where you are and people may recommend somewhere.

 

[Scoosh]

Mayfayre - and !

Hi, i'm looking for advice on finding a second hand bike.
I would buy a new one but i can't afford it! Just like everybody else on here, then And i ned a bike ASAP for commutng to university.
I don't want a department store type bike (if i buy one just for now i'm essentially throwing away how much money i can spend later because i don't have a regular income), Good thinking - you must have been reading other threads on here
I want something that will last me for about 3 years for university commuting as well as my main mode of transport around the countryside here. Where is that ?
I'm torn between using it on the road only or going off into the hill [only 1 ??] - so i'd like to keep my options open regarding hybrid/road/mountain bike with slick tyres put on.

I'm looking for a bike with a 16 inch frame (female but don't need women's specific if not available, just a small bike), What should i look for to know it's a quality bike? How do i know i'm not getting something terrible for my money? Do some research, get an idea of what you are thinking of getting, then come back on here and ask for opinions. Most are freely given and there's a lot of experience with lots of different bikes too I was told to look out for accessories on the bike like shimano, and to make sure it has a minimum of 21 speed. Is this correct?The number of gears you will need depends on the terrain you will be riding in, how fit you are (and will be !), how far you are going etc. Once again, have a look and come back.

I can afford 200 pounds for a 2nd hand, only 250 at a huge squeeze for a new bike, which i'm told isn't enough for anything in my local bike store which starts at 300... (i looked at a vita hybrid with skinny tyres, a specialised hybrid and a myka mountain bike, i liked the vita and the mountain bike best.)
What are good names for bikes in the lower end of the market that aren't going to be horrible or rust to pieces in weeks?

Where is a good place to go for refurbished or second hand bikes? Your local Gumtree ? I've tried ebay, but nothing in my price range that isn't kids bikes or looks like it was from argos (apollo? isn't that what argos stock?) worse - it's what H**frauds stock You will have read all around here that H**fords does not have a good name for service, fitting, screwing the bikes together so they don't fall apart (really ) etc. Having said that, they do have some good bikes. Their Carerra Subway has had some favourable comments, provided it is checked over by a competent mechanic. At £280, it's at the top of your budget but do a search for it in the Beginners section on CC and you might be pleasantly surprised
I can try the equivalent in my local bike shop if i need to order it online... they don't stoke second hand bikes and as i don't drive pick up would be a pain...

Certainly you should avoid a cheap MTB with front suspension - it's never worth it, adding weight, losing power and not doing enough suspending.

You'll need to factor in the cost of some sort of lock, maybe some clothing, lights ....... but that's what families are for, isn't it ??

HTH

 

[Nick G]

Trek and Giant urban bikes start at around £230 and are good value, proper entry level bikes IMO. I just bought these for my teenage kids so they go down to small sizes and they came from good LBS's.

 

[mobi]

Might be a good idea not to buy an expensive bike. Bikes are often stolen from universities. So, buy a good condition bike from Ebay for £30-£40. If it lasts even for 6-8 months (which it should) that's good. You can buy another one when this bike expires.

Or buy a folding bike (possible in your budget) which you can carry everywhere.

 

[Hilldodger]

If you're anywhere near Leicester we do refurbished bikes for students from £50.

They're decent quality bikes and we probaly sell 50 or 60 to mainly foreign students every year

 

[jay clock]

I can strongly recommend the Carrerra Subway from Halfords. I have 4 yr old one and it ticks all the boxes. Basically and urban MTB, so slick tyres, no suspension and within the price range

Best of luck!

 

[GrahamG]

I'd definitely be looking at spending £50-100 on a second hand bike that will keep you going without being attractive to thieves. Something non-mountain bikey with mudguards is usually ideal - some old tourer or road bike, there's plenty around. Let us know where you are as some local knowledge can be priceless.

 

[gwhite]

I work for a bike charity in Fife and we regularly sell loads of re-conditioned bikes to students at St. Andrew's University. I would have thought that this was your best option in that these bikes are refurbished and repaired. Prices range from £35 to £50 and the bikes are perfectly adequate for your needs.

 

[HLaB]

I work for a bike charity in Fife and we regularly sell loads of re-conditioned bikes to students at St. Andrew's University. I would have thought that this was your best option in that these bikes are refurbished and repaired. Prices range from £35 to £50 and the bikes are perfectly adequate for your needs.

Where about in Fife are you? I've got an old frame sitting in my parents shed in Dunfermline. The Forks and front wheel are knackered from a crash but I believe the frame is OK and it had a new block and chain fitted just before the crash but that was over a year ago. Would that be of interest to the charity?

 

[maxcherry]

Hay you live in nottingham HALLOOO you have raligih, your in the bike making capital of england, go to the raligh website you can get a new bike for what you want, pluss it will come with a gaurentee (second hand wont) youll be safe in the knowledge your wheels wont come off when your travelling at speed (second hand wont) saw this bike http://www.raleigh.co.uk/b_details.aspx?id=447 go new from the off (you don't want to sit on somthing someones bits have been sweeting on)

 

[Ivan Ardon]

There's just so much wrong with that last post, I don't know where to begin....

 

[Over The Hill]

If not anything on Ebay then try Freeads.

I would agree with above posts - for your budget you will get a crap new bike or a great second hand one. That said, if it works and does what you want then a crap bike is OK.

For £100 to £200 you can easily get a good bike that was £700 new so really not worth buying a rubbish bike second hand. Problem I can see is that you will be a bit limited if you are not looking at most popular size. But I think women drop out of cycling more than men (sorry a bit of an assumption but from personal experience) so there are loads of women's bikes out there somewhere that are relatively unused.

Perhaps get a stop gap £20 job to get started and keep looking out for the good one.

To tell how good it is -
Google the make and model - usually comes up with something.
If it is an unknown make then just look at the gears to see what is on it. The maker of the gears will give a good indication of quality or not.
I would not buy a re-sprayed bike.
Alloy bikes are light to lug about as well as ride and have been around long enough to be in budget even for the £20 option.

 

[4F]

There's just so much wrong with that last post, I don't know where to begin....

Made me chuckle