Need advice choosing bike (second hand or new)

[karlosm]

Hi guys hoping this is the right place to post this.

Basically I'm planning to ride a charity ride next year, approximately 700 miles over 2 weeks. I have very little riding experience to date.
As this is the only use for the bike I didn't really want to spend alot of money on one, but after speaking to several people, it seems to be the opinion that a second hand bike may not be reliable enough to last this distance.

So in summary, do I definately need to be looking for a new bike rather than second hand, and if so does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[rugby bloke]

Hello and welcome karlosm. A couple of observations:

1. Cycling is addictive - I signed up for the RideLondon a couple of years ago, thought it would be my only big ride, I'm still riding. I'm sure there are plenty more members with similar stories. You may think this is going to be your only ride, but I reckon once you complete this one you will be looking for a new challenge. Or just want to get out on a bike and ride for the sheer joy of it. So investing in a new bike may not be a waste of money.
2. If you do want to buy new, start looking in the autumn when the old stock is being cleared and bargains are to be had.
3. There are plenty of great, hardly ridden bikes on the second hand market. Not everything is a wreck, it may help to rope in someone with a bit of experience to help you choose.

Happy cycling !

 

[Welsh wheels]

Is the charity ride going to be on roads? If so, a road bike would probably be the best choice, as they are very efficient at covering the distance and a road bike with a 'sportive' geometry will be comfortable enough as well.

 

[Cycleops]

As @rugby bloke says for best bangs per buck go second hand, but you need to check it thoroughly otherwise it'll end up costing more than new. Its also important to get the correct size. How tall are you and what's your inseam?

@biggs682 has always got a few vintage road bikes for sale which are checked and ready to go. If you're not near he can post.

If you want to buy new go and look at the Triban bikes at Decathlon for best value.

 

[biggs682]

@karlosm thats a good opening distance for sure

as @rugby bloke has already said its addictive for sure

where are you based ?

if you are local to Northamptonshire or pass by feel free to pop in and have a chat and you are welcome to try a few of my retro and non so retro rides to give you an idea of what you want bike wise .

as @Cycleops has already mentioned i normally have a few pre owned bikes for sale all are normally pre ridden by me for at least 100 + miles before being advertised .

I would look for 2nd hand all day long if you want or need to have a newer style bike then keep looking as bargains are out there , ie i have just been offered a 10 month old Trek 1.5 that has covered less than a 100 miles since new and was bought to do a 2 day charity bike ride then left unridden in the shed

 

[vickster]

How much are you wishing to spend? It'll presumably get plenty of use in the months of training beforehand

Is the ride fully supported or do you have to carry your own luggage?

 

[karlosm]

@karlosm thats a good opening distance for sure

as @rugby bloke has already said its addictive for sure

where are you based ?

if you are local to Northamptonshire or pass by feel free to pop in and have a chat and you are welcome to try a few of my retro and non so retro rides to give you an idea of what you want bike wise .

as @Cycleops has already mentioned i normally have a few pre owned bikes for sale all are normally pre ridden by me for at least 100 + miles before being advertised .

I would look for 2nd hand all day long if you want or need to have a newer style bike then keep looking as bargains are out there , ie i have just been offered a 10 month old Trek 1.5 that has covered less than a 100 miles since new and was bought to do a 2 day charity bike ride then left unridden in the shed

I know, talk about jumping in at the deep end! I'm based in East Anglia, which unfortunately is pretty much miles away from anywhere, but not bad for bike rides I would add!
I have been looking around for second hand bikes and have seen a few that caught my eye, but I'm just so scared of spending £100-£200 and ending up with something that's not going to last me.

 

[karlosm]

How much are you wishing to spend? It'll presumably get plenty of use in the months of training beforehand

Is the ride fully supported or do you have to carry your own luggage?

Honestly, I'd be happy to spend £400-£500 on a new bike if I'm getting something quality, but I'd be much happier in the £100-£250 region. And the ride is going to be supported so hoping to have minimum weight.

 

[vickster]

£500 is still quite low budget for a new touring style bike

@biggs682 should be able to help with used

 

[Bikerta]

Have got a 2012 Dawes Galaxy in as new condition. Have covered about 1,000 miles on it. Green, with tubus rear rack, blackburn front rack, mudguards etc. so ready for any longer distance ride. 48cm frame which is a larger frame size than most of this size and would be fine up to around 5'8" Recently had a service. £475.

 

[bonsaibilly]

Hi guys hoping this is the right place to post this.

Basically I'm planning to ride a charity ride next year, approximately 700 miles over 2 weeks. I have very little riding experience to date.
As this is the only use for the bike I didn't really want to spend alot of money on one, but after speaking to several people, it seems to be the opinion that a second hand bike may not be reliable enough to last this distance.

So in summary, do I definately need to be looking for a new bike rather than second hand, and if so does anyone have any suggestions?

Search for Roux tourer bikes, they are reasonably well priced and spec.

 

[biggs682]

thanks @vickster

I know, talk about jumping in at the deep end! I'm based in East Anglia, which unfortunately is pretty much miles away from anywhere, but not bad for bike rides I would add!
I have been looking around for second hand bikes and have seen a few that caught my eye, but I'm just so scared of spending £100-£200 and ending up with something that's not going to last me.

How tall are you ?

I have 4 older retro road bikes that range from 54 - 59 cm in size and between £150 - £450 so quite a bit of choice and all good to go

as i said earlier @karlosm feel free to come across and try them no pressure

 

[Cycleops]

Martin, perhaps you could out up a few pics for our friend. Maybe he could say what's his height and inseam measurement.

 

[Alan O]

Hi guys hoping this is the right place to post this.

Basically I'm planning to ride a charity ride next year, approximately 700 miles over 2 weeks. I have very little riding experience to date.
As this is the only use for the bike I didn't really want to spend alot of money on one, but after speaking to several people, it seems to be the opinion that a second hand bike may not be reliable enough to last this distance.

So in summary, do I definately need to be looking for a new bike rather than second hand, and if so does anyone have any suggestions?

I can understand your concerns about a 2nd hand bike. There are a lot of vintage steel bikes out there for very low prices, but you'd really need to budget for at least new brake and gear cables, brake blocks, inner tubes, very possibly tyres, almost certainly new bottom bracket bearings (and very possibly a whole new bottom bracket), wheel bearings (assuming the wheels are still good enough, otherwise new wheels), maybe new headset bearings - and you'd really need to be able to do all that yourself, as bike shop labour costs could be prohibitive.

I rebuilt a vintage steel bike last year after buying just the frame, and with a combination of new and vintage parts, it cost me around £250 £300 in total - but I now have a very solid touring bike that should be good for a lot of miles. I'm building another bike from a frame at the moment, and I expect that to cost about the same.

An alternative is to buy a 2nd hand bike from someone you trust to have serviced it properly, but that will cost more than cheap eBay prices.

But whatever you go for, I'd strongly recommend thinking way beyond your big ride next year - this cycling lark really is addictive

 

[Tangoup51]

Hi guys hoping this is the right place to post this.

Basically I'm planning to ride a charity ride next year, approximately 700 miles over 2 weeks. I have very little riding experience to date.
As this is the only use for the bike I didn't really want to spend alot of money on one, but after speaking to several people, it seems to be the opinion that a second hand bike may not be reliable enough to last this distance.

So in summary, do I definately need to be looking for a new bike rather than second hand, and if so does anyone have any suggestions?

Realistically speaking, a Brand New Bike will need adjusting and tuning after a few miles anyway - as things wear in.

Not to mention if theres any manufacturing faults at play, atleast a second hand bike would of had those sorted.

I'd just say explore second hand markets, online is a good place to start. Have a look for what bike takes your fancy and trust me, no matter what second hand bike you pick as long as it's been owned by someone even 15% mechanically minded, it'll last 700 miles or more.

Worst case scenario is a few minor things are out of adjustment and maybe a bearing or two could benefit from a little bit more grease; --
Not a problem if this 700 mile stint is all you're going to be after.


Your absolute best bet is to explore second hand markets and pick a good priced hybrid bike, and fork it over to an LBS for check ups. Even if the bike was in a proper heap state (which it wont be) they'd be able to service it no more than £70 anyway.


**try looking for Carrera bikes, the second hand market for them is hella cheap - £100-150 for a carrera subway on ebay and what not, and they'd have all you need for this event.