Need a new bike.. again.

[Reverend]

@Reverend how tall are you?
Are you looking for a flat bar bike or would you consider drop bars?

I'm around 5 5

I don't mind to be honest, both are fine

Are you on FB Reverend ?
There tend to be sellers sites on there, often bike related groups as well. While it's an obvious route for stolen bikes to be sold, I look at the seller, anyone selling bikes all the time I tend to avoid unless I know them, but we've sold two over the last 3 years via FB.

Yes, I have seen some of the listings on facebook marketplace and on the groups too but do tend to avoid the group listings as I am quite sure it is mainly stolen bikes there.

In Newcastle check out Recyke y'Bike - in Byker & the city centre - for refurbished second-hand bikes.

And if you talk to Sara & Kev in the Newcastle shop they'll tell you how to look after it and advise on maintenance.

Any idea if they will accept monthly payments?

Sound advice and if you go in with a selection of cakes you will be remembered

Lol

A bit over budget, but AFAIK Ribble do 18 months 0% finance on all bikes. Hard to beat, for a value for money bike
https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/ribble-7005-audax-sale/

Dang, it does look good but £500 idkkk

Wiggle do interest free credit but you may have to up your budget, which, if it's a bike you can't afford to let you down, isn't a bad idea. Wait until after Christmas and look to pick up a bargain in the sales.
You've already had the "buy cheap, buy twice" mantra perfectly illustrated to you so think about what's really important before your next purchase.

https://www.wiggle.co.uk/cycle/urban-bikes/

Hmm, will check it out. I see some brands on there like vitus, fuji - aren't they best avoided? Like aren't they similar to apollo bikes or something?

Yeah I learned my lesson now lol, doing as much as research as possible before getting the next bike.

Chain reaction often have some good end of line deals if you are happy to buy sight unseen. Presume they offer the same finance options as Wiggle?

I will take a look into this. Do you have any suggestions on which bike would be good to purchase from there?

I've a feeling this isn't going to have a happy ending. Previous question asked and advice given. Advice ignored with predictable outcome. Now same question asked again and more advice given. Anyone like to predict the outcome this time??

I hope it has a happy ending. I unfortunately became too greedy the previous time. Going to make sure I take everyone's advice in before purchasing my next bike.

If the op needs a decent used bike why not try this place or somewhere similar.

http://recyke-y-bike.org

I volunteer at a similar scheme in Cardiff and we sell fully serviced and roadworthy bikes with a three month guarantee (several sold to Uber Eats and Deliveroo riders).

I will try to look to go to one of their stores soon to see the options. I wish they had listings on ebay with financing options.

I would like to think a lesson was learnt and the good advice given here won't be ignored again. People here DO know what they are talking about and I expect some have made similar errors in the past. We all have to learn.

^, thanks

Is there not more bikes someone can recommend that will last long and can be purchased via a site like ebay, halfords?, evanscycle, tredz, decalothon? I know some of you did link some but I don't get the feeling they will last too long like my apollo transition since I am using it for so long every week.

 

[annedonnelly]

@Reverend I doubt very much that Recyke y'Bike will take monthly payments. They're a charity after all.

 

[vickster]

Are your routes hilly or mainly flat (I’m not familiar with Newcastle)? If flat, a single speed bike would be ideal, fewer moving parts to maintain and cheap to do so

Eg https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mobile/vitus-vee-29-city-bike-2018/rp-prod159731

To your earlier comment, no, Vitus although an own brand are decent and Fuji are a big brand in the US, just not so widely sold here

So if you want gears https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mobile/vitus-dee-29-city-bike-2018/rp-prod159717
Check sizing but I’d think 16” suitable Based on the website
£10 off for new customers and credit available

At your height (I'm assuming you're make, apologies if not), don't forget to look at deals on suitable 'womens' bikes, you'd just need to change the saddle, I'm sure someone here could provide something for the cost of postage or a recycling coop could have something fir a few quid

E.g. An Evans pinnacle https://www.evanscycles.com/pinnacle-lithium-2-2018-women-s-hybrid-bike-EV275577 (or the men's but small is listed at 5'4 to 5'7 so could be on the large size https://www.evanscycles.com/pinnacle-lithium-2-2018-hybrid-bike-EV275572)

 

[vickster]

This looks a good deal, with good components and is the right size for you

https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bi...trada-5-mens-hybrid-bike-2016-16-18-21-frames

 

[Grant Fondo]

Now its two years later and you haven't taken it back yet?

They must lose a lot of bikes if they are that trusting!

I know its odd but a nice feeling when a shop will do this. Beats the anonymous on line purchase then big box arrives.
Anyhow i didn't buy said £4k Trek...got a broadly similar spec Ghost with a huge discount from Global Bike for over 2 grand cheaper. They have now gone out of business!

 

[nickAKA]

CRC & Wiggle own brand Vitus / Verenti (old name) are decent bikes. I would suggest they are on a similar level to Halford's Carrera range, without quite so much of the high RRP / huge discount BS. They tend not to feature the latest components or design aesthetic on the cheaper models but the drivetrains & finishing kit are perfectly servicable and are definitely not "bike shaped objects" like the cheap Apollo stuff.
Like everything in life, you get what you pay for. If you're limited to where you can buy from because you need the credit facility you could do a hell of a lot worse IMO.

 

[Reverend]

@Reverend I doubt very much that Recyke y'Bike will take monthly payments. They're a charity after all.

Yeah I would assume so too

Are your routes hilly or mainly flat (I’m not familiar with Newcastle)? If flat, a single speed bike would be ideal, fewer moving parts to maintain and cheap to do so

Eg https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mobile/vitus-vee-29-city-bike-2018/rp-prod159731

To your earlier comment, no, Vitus although an own brand are decent and Fuji are a big brand in the US, just not so widely sold here

So if you want gears https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mobile/vitus-dee-29-city-bike-2018/rp-prod159717
Check sizing but I’d think 16” suitable Based on the website
£10 off for new customers and credit available

At your height (I'm assuming you're make, apologies if not), don't forget to look at deals on suitable 'womens' bikes, you'd just need to change the saddle, I'm sure someone here could provide something for the cost of postage or a recycling coop could have something fir a few quid

E.g. An Evans pinnacle https://www.evanscycles.com/pinnacle-lithium-2-2018-women-s-hybrid-bike-EV275577 (or the men's but small is listed at 5'4 to 5'7 so could be on the large size https://www.evanscycles.com/pinnacle-lithium-2-2018-hybrid-bike-EV275572)

It's a mixture of both flat and hilly here, I feel it's mainly hilly because of the shortcuts I take to deliver food faster.

Oh okay, will check those out.

I've also managed to gather about £200 so can pay for a bike in one go if it's around that price.

This looks a good deal, with good components and is the right size for you

https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bi...trada-5-mens-hybrid-bike-2016-16-18-21-frames

This seems to not be available for collection or delivery

CRC & Wiggle own brand Vitus / Verenti (old name) are decent bikes. I would suggest they are on a similar level to Halford's Carrera range, without quite so much of the high RRP / huge discount BS. They tend not to feature the latest components or design aesthetic on the cheaper models but the drivetrains & finishing kit are perfectly servicable and are definitely not "bike shaped objects" like the cheap Apollo stuff.
Like everything in life, you get what you pay for. If you're limited to where you can buy from because you need the credit facility you could do a hell of a lot worse IMO.

i see, will check this.

 

[Reverend]

I came to a somewhat conclusion between these two bikes, I am just going to get a new bike instead of worrying about any consequences with used bikes (tried looking on gumtree/fb marketplace and ebay but couldn't see anything good, contacted a few people on fb marketplace for bikes that seemed decent but either it got sold out or they are not replying.

I have collected about £200 so just going to pay the full amount in one go instead of paypal credit.

What are your opinions between these two bikes:

https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bi...a-parva-mens-hybrid-bike-blue-16-18-20-frames

and

https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bi...a-axle-mens-hybrid-bike-black-16-18-20-frames

Is there anything better at £200 from elsewhere?

 

[Reverend]

In-fact, will need to forget about the parva one, they ran out of stock on the 18 inch frame....

The options are now

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/riverside-120-hybrid-bike-id_8405304.html?

or

https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bi...-axle-mens-hybrid-bike-black-16-18-20-frames?

what do you guys think?

 

[mattobrien]

Brought the bike on 3rd october, currently on my 3rd chain now.

Out of interest, what have you been using for chain lube, fine sand? Getting through two chains in three months is good going, I tend to get c. 2,000 miles out of chain and that is generally putting out a reasonable amount of power too.

 

[biggs682]

In-fact, will need to forget about the parva one, they ran out of stock on the 18 inch frame....

The options are now

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/riverside-120-hybrid-bike-id_8405304.html?

or

https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bi...-axle-mens-hybrid-bike-black-16-18-20-frames?

what do you guys think?

Well the Carrera should have a wider range of gears but will those big tyres drain a lot of the advantage ?

You still have to remember that both will need to be looked after and serviced accordingly to maintain any warranty

And if i am totally honest and it was my choice i would go 2nd hand route at those prices

 

[Soltydog]

Out of interest, what have you been using for chain lube, fine sand? Getting through two chains in three months is good going,

Well the Carrera should have a wider range of gears but will those big tyres drain a lot of the advantage ?
You still have to remember that both will need to be looked after and serviced accordingly to maintain any warranty
And if i am totally honest and it was my choice i would go 2nd hand route at those prices

Sounds like the Halfords dealing with the bike possibly haven't performed too well either? Maybe the gears were not set up correctly to cause such chain wear, or they failed to give good maintenance advice, or both?
I'd be very reluctant to buy from that branch again, especially with a cheaper bike that may end up going the same way as the first So for that reason I'd go for the Decathlon bike, as I've only heard good reports of their service & value for money bikes, but I have no personal experience with them.

But I'm with @biggs682 & at your budget I'd be looking at 2nd hand, especially this time of year, December & January there's always people desperate for cash, so you could end up with a real bargain if you can be a little patient

 

[vickster]

I came to a somewhat conclusion between these two bikes, I am just going to get a new bike instead of worrying about any consequences with used bikes (tried looking on gumtree/fb marketplace and ebay but couldn't see anything good, contacted a few people on fb marketplace for bikes that seemed decent but either it got sold out or they are not replying.

I have collected about £200 so just going to pay the full amount in one go instead of paypal credit.

What are your opinions between these two bikes:

https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bi...a-parva-mens-hybrid-bike-blue-16-18-20-frames

and

https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bi...a-axle-mens-hybrid-bike-black-16-18-20-frames

Is there anything better at £200 from elsewhere?

In-fact, will need to forget about the parva one, they ran out of stock on the 18 inch frame....

The options are now

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/riverside-120-hybrid-bike-id_8405304.html?

or

https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bi...-axle-mens-hybrid-bike-black-16-18-20-frames?

what do you guys think?

Looking at the size guide, 18” is too big. 16” for 5’5

You need to go sit on the bikes, not guess

 

[nickAKA]

In-fact, will need to forget about the parva one, they ran out of stock on the 18 inch frame....

The options are now

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/riverside-120-hybrid-bike-id_8405304.html?

or

https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bi...-axle-mens-hybrid-bike-black-16-18-20-frames?

what do you guys think?

Honest answer? I don't like the look of either of them to do what you want your bike to do. Why not wait until after Christmas & see what's available? It's 5 days away FFS..! The major retailers will have new bikes on offer and people who have 'upgraded' will be looking to offload their old bikes.

Patience, grasshopper.

 

[DRM]

CRC & Wiggle own brand Vitus / Verenti (old name) are decent bikes. I would suggest they are on a similar level to Halford's Carrera range, without quite so much of the high RRP / huge discount BS. They tend not to feature the latest components or design aesthetic on the cheaper models but the drivetrains & finishing kit are perfectly servicable and are definitely not "bike shaped objects" like the cheap Apollo stuff.
Like everything in life, you get what you pay for. If you're limited to where you can buy from because you need the credit facility you could do a hell of a lot worse IMO.

I have a Carerra that now does turbo trainer duty, I also have a Verenti Technique with sora group set which is so much better than the Carerra, better spec, lighter etc & buying the previous year model in the sale it wasn’t a great deal more price wise, op I personally would go second hand, or save up & get something better, Newcastle seems pretty hilly to me & you don’t need a heavy beast of a thing, or to buy cheap again, you will just end up being disappointed.
Also have a look at Paul’s Cycles on the web, they stock end of seasons bargains if you really must have new