London Second hand buying advice

[jgibbons]

Hello,

I am in the market in for a second hand bike, with a budget of £400 max and I am 6 foot 4. The bike will be ridden a good few hours each day, I need a commuter and something to do courier work on. I'd also like to use the bike for recreation and fitness so this bike is going to be ridden pretty hard. Ideally I would like to support a local business in London, but looking online it seems like a lot of shops are a bit of a rip off. So any advice that anyone can give on which sort of bikes I should look out for, I'd like to get the most bang for my buck, would be great. Any recommendations for shops to go to in London, it would be good to go somewhere where I can talk to someone and get a good deal and make sure what I have bought is roadworthy and will last me. For my use I have been thinking of getting a road or hybrid or maybe a cylocross bike. Thanks for you time everyone.

 

[vickster]

Whereabouts in London? A big place with big surroundings

I’m not sure how you are quantifying rip off? Bikes cost what they cost, shops have to make money too, and stocks are low, demand high, so there are no discounts as there may have been 2 years ago. Spring is always an expensive time to buy compared to winter due to demand for bikes to use in the good weather.

otherwise, you could look second hand via eBay or Gumtree but prices are also high, due to Covid and the time of year and your height may well limit choice. And you need to be wary of stolen bikes especially in London.
Unfortunately, the days of bang for buck are gone right now, they may come back but not for a year or two (prices may well even rise further)

This would fit the bill, and would leave you some money if new consumable parts like chain or cassette are needed (as is possible with a used bike)
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/144017965537?hash=item218823c1e1:g:~rQAAOSw2XVggw~y


this would do but it’s unlikely to stay at £400
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265130950715?hash=item3dbb09403b:g:eTcAAOSw0iRgfpuk

these are really good all rounders, may stay in budget but you’ll need to be quick and travel to collect
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/144012894765?hash=item2187d6622d:g:YJUAAOSwu55gfErb

or https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/184789854253?hash=item2b0655682d:g:Iy0AAOSwXFxghEj0

although stocks are short, Decathlon and Halfords are worth a look if wanting a new no frills bike. You might get a roadbike but it’ll have basic components at £400, that’s very much entry level.
this is ok for £450 new. You’ll be at the top of height range but that’s easily resolved with a longer stem
https://www.halfords.com/bikes/road...ad-bike-2020---red---s-m-l-frames-348526.html

 

[Brooks]

I'd have a little search for the bike charity workshops dotted around London you can pick up a bargain if you bide your time. I don't think there all up a running at the moment but hopefully they'll be opening up soon.

 

[jgibbons]

Whereabouts in London? A big place with big surroundings

I’m not sure how you are quantifying rip off? Bikes cost what they cost, shops have to make money too, and stocks are low, demand high, so there are no discounts as there may have been 2 years ago. Spring is always an expensive time to buy compared to winter due to demand for bikes to use in the good weather.

otherwise, you could look second hand via eBay or Gumtree but prices are also high, due to Covid and the time of year and your height may well limit choice. And you need to be wary of stolen bikes especially in London.
Unfortunately, the days of bang for buck are gone right now, they may come back but not for a year or two (prices may well even rise further)

This would fit the bill, and would leave you some money if new consumable parts like chain or cassette are needed (as is possible with a used bike)
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/144017965537?hash=item218823c1e1:g:~rQAAOSw2XVggw~y


this would do but it’s unlikely to stay at £400
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/265130950715?hash=item3dbb09403b:g:eTcAAOSw0iRgfpuk

these are really good all rounders, may stay in budget but you’ll need to be quick and travel to collect
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/144012894765?hash=item2187d6622d:g:YJUAAOSwu55gfErb

or https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/184789854253?hash=item2b0655682d:g:Iy0AAOSwXFxghEj0

although stocks are short, Decathlon and Halfords are worth a look if wanting a new no frills bike. You might get a roadbike but it’ll have basic components at £400, that’s very much entry level.
this is ok for £450 new. You’ll be at the top of height range but that’s easily resolved with a longer stem
https://www.halfords.com/bikes/road...ad-bike-2020---red---s-m-l-frames-348526.html

Thanks for such a detailed reply. I am keeping an eye on the Boardman CX you suggested.

 

[mustang1]

Someone mentioned in another thread a few weeks ago that they had better luck buying from a shop in the subarbs rather than London. Dunno if that's still the case but probably so.

OP: when you find the right bike, just pull the trigger otherwise someone else will. These days, the bikes sell quick.

 

[jgibbons]

Hello,
Having had a look around on gumtree this bike caught my eye.

https://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/...0?utm_source=WhatsApp&utm_medium=social&utm_c

What are people's opinions?

 

[gasinayr]

looks like it could suit you, good for price

 

[vickster]

Should do the job

 

[vickster]

https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/for-sale-xxl-vitus-razor-2019.274775/
not in London but an easy train journey

 

[battered]

That Vitus is worth a trip to Bedford. As you have guessed there is little choice just now. As you mention courier work I'd be getting something with weather gear and a rack, though I know that doesn't fit the image.

 

[jgibbons]

Hello,

So after looking at all the advice and searching gumtree et al for over a week, I have ended up buying a Jamis Beatnik.

Here is a link
https://www.jamisbikes.com/bikes/urban- ... e/beatnik/

Got it for £80 with some spare inner tubes and a small pump. Nice guy. It is a basic single speed, steel frame. Rides well enough and in good condition. As you can see from the pictures needs a bit of a clean and the chain is a little rusty. I will be changing that, or might stick it in a vinegar bath to take rust off first and see if it is still good.

Gutted I missed the Vitus, If I had seen it I would have snapped it up immediately.

 

[battered]

Nice bike. I wouldn't worry about a bit of rust on the chain. That's life. Oil it, ride it, wipe off excess. The bits that you care about are invisible anyway, the outside of the chain is immaterial.