Need a nice, cheap commuter

[HenryD]

I'm looking to start cycling to college rather than walking as the walk's about 45 minutes and I enjoy a lie-in.

I'd also use it for getting about in London as I'm not a huge fan of public transport despite using it a lot at the moment.

I'm 16 so we're looking pretty low-budget here £170 for the bike itself (I have various accessories already from when my dad used to cycle, got rid of the bike though).

I'm looking at ebay mainly and have found what look to be some good deals (I don't really know what I'm looking for though).

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Alloy-gent-MT...14&_trkparms=72:1301|66:4|65:12|39:1|240:1318

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SCHWINN-ADVEN...14&_trkparms=72:1301|66:4|65:12|39:1|240:1318

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Retro-Kona-Fi...14&_trkparms=72:1301|66:4|65:12|39:1|240:1318

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/TEAM-SARACEN-...14&_trkparms=72:1301|66:4|65:12|39:1|240:1318



I know some of these are mountain bikes, but would a simply change of tyres make them more appropriate? The last one looks like a good deal.

Thanks a lot

Henry

 

[dan_bo]

I'd go for the kona meself, but be prepared to replace the chain and cassette-£30-40.

 

[RedBike]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/TEAM-SARACEN-...14&_trkparms=72:1301|66:4|65:12|39:1|240:1318
You have got to be joking!

There's a huge range of styles and sizes there. None of them ideally suited to commuting.

How far have you got to go?
What about panniers / mud-guards?
What size are you after?

 

[RedBike]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Ridgeback-gen...14&_trkparms=72:1298|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1318

This was the first one that caught my attention. No idea about the seller.

 

[HenryD]

What kind of thing would be ideal then?

I'd prefer buy it now on ebay just for simpicity, and it can't be local pick-up only outside of London for obvious reasons.

Any help on what I should be looking for would be very welcome.

 

[punkypossum]

Carrera Subway?

 

[RedBike]

For me the ideal bike probably wouldn't be a MTB, for some reason they're always favoured by thieves. And they're harder work than necassary to pedal on the road.

You'd have full length mud-guards so you wouldn't arrive at work with a brown mark up you backside. Wet cold feet first thing in the morning is no joke either

A pannier rack so that it's easy to take a change of clothes with you

A dynamo front hub so that you've always gone some lights even when you've forgot to recharge your main lights.

A comfortable saddle / a good quality steal frame for those days when you ache from having ridden for hours the day before and can't really face getting on a bike again.


Then again the other option is to go for a cheap catalouge special. A £100/ £50 MTB. Accept the fact that it's rubbish and just pray you get your moneys worth before it breaks.

 

[HenryD]

Thanks everyone, I've found a Carrera Subway locally for £75!

Not sure if it'll fit, but I've sent an email and will try it out asap.

 

[kyuss]

That Kona is a nice steel frame, but cantilever brakes are pretty crap and difficult to set up, you'll needs slicks for commuting duties to get the best out of it (which is another £30+ of your budget) and like dan_bo says it looks like it needs a chain and cassette pronto.

+1

An excellent bike for that price. Mrs Paul has one. And they're reduced at the mo....

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_240361_langId_-1_categoryId_165534

Another +1 from me. I've never heard a bad word about them and they're set up perfectly for commuting.

 

[PrettyboyTim]

Whereabouts in London are you?

I've been meaning to pop over to Station Bicycles in Walthamstow at some point and check them out. They get bikes from council and police auctions, dumps and the like and recondition them. Apparently they have adult bikes starting from £40.

I don't know if they're any good, but they would probably be worth checking out if you're reasonably close; they've probably got a fair few hybrids going.