Recomentation please for a cheap, light, second hand Bike

[icebergx]

Hi all,

I'll be moving to Copenhagen in Jan but Bikes over there are very expensive.
As a result, I'm looking for a (relatively) cheap, light second hand bike.
The max I want to spend is £300 but ideally £200 or less. Copenhagen is very flat, and I'll probably only be using it for short, "on-road" journeys so I don't need anything too "high-tech", but I would like it to look good and not be too bulky. I guess a Hybrid would be most suitable but am open to options.

I was thinking about a second hand Specialized Sirrus Elite but think that this may be too advanced for my (relatively) simple needs.

Can anyone help me as I haven't got a clue?!?!

 

[peanut]

suggest you use the search function first as this question is asked on a daily basis and there are 100's of similar threads that will help.
A trip down to your local bike shops won't be wasted as you can check out their stock of used bikes.

Being realistic you won't get a cheap light bike for £200 hybrids are not light bikes anyway.

 

[icebergx]

Thanks Peanut.
I was going to try to buy something secondhand from ebay or gumtree to save money so I presume I'd be able to get something higher spec (but obvously older) than a brand new bike.

My Brother has a Boardman Pro Hybrid and something of that kind of weight is fine.

Thanks for your help

 

[Theseus]

If it is flat, do you really need all those gears. Have you considered single speed or fixed. This will help keep the price & weight down.

 

[rh100]

suggest you use the search function first as this question is asked on a daily basis and there are 100's of similar threads that will help.
A trip down to your local bike shops won't be wasted as you can check out their stock of used bikes.

Being realistic you won't get a cheap light bike for £200 hybrids are not light bikes anyway.

I have to disagree - the weight of the bike is relative - an aluminium hybrid is much lighter than a steel mountain bike for example - I can't quote the actual weights but you feel the difference straight away. One of these would be ideal for short road trips.

It depends how confident you are of purchasing a bike - you may trust a local bike shop to check it for safety etc - or might risk ebay if you think you can check it over ok.

When searching ebay - search on brand - something like Trek - you will notice that MTB's are a bit cheaper than Hybrids. Look at Treks website to get an idea of what they are and the different model numbers, your search will be easier if you have a clear idea of what you want, as descriptions on ebay can be a bit vague (sometimes to your benefit as other searchers may give it a miss). Just use your common sense when buying from someone - avoid low feedback sellers or anything dodgy looking.

Specialized bikes go for a bit more.

Make sure you know the frame size you want aswell - if it's not listed - ask them.

Keep searching aswell - a bargain Buy It Now listing may get snapped up quick - so keep on searching.

Just noticed your last line - whatever you get have it checked by the LBS for safety.

Ask on here anything you need - there's experienced people on here happy to help.

Good luck with it

 

[Arch]

Hi all,

I'll be moving to Copenhagen in Jan but Bikes over there are very expensive.
As a result, I'm looking for a (relatively) cheap, light second hand bike.
The max I want to spend is £300 but ideally £200 or less. Copenhagen is very flat, and I'll probably only be using it for short, "on-road" journeys so I don't need anything too "high-tech", but I would like it to look good and not be too bulky. I guess a Hybrid would be most suitable but am open to options.

I was thinking about a second hand Specialized Sirrus Elite but think that this may be too advanced for my (relatively) simple needs.

Can anyone help me as I haven't got a clue?!?!

Whereabouts in UK are you at the mo? You may have a bike recycling scheme local to you. If so, get down there, tell them what you need, and see what they have. From what I saw of Copenhagen and it's cyclists when I was there on holiday, you'll fit right in with something upright and hub geared - the sort of thing that used to be called a town bike.

I can't tell, are you male or female? A suitable old ladies bike could be had for about £50 I should think....

Anyway, good luck, I'm jealous. Copenhagen seemed like a fantastic place, and brilliant for good old everyday cycling...

 

[peanut]

I have to disagree - the weight of the bike is relative - an aluminium hybrid is much lighter than a steel mountain bike for example -

yes weight is relative but you are completely missing my point.

The point I made is that you cannot expect to get a good quality used lightweight hybrid bike for £200

your advice basically don't amount to much more than stating the blindingly obvious like
'make sure the frame you buy is the right size' ???? and
'get the bike checked over 'and
'avoid anything dodgy'
very helpful

 

[TheDoctor]

Sorry, Peanut, but you're wrong. I got a perfectly good hybrid (needed a new wheel) from a CC member for £50. New front wheel (which would have cost £30 had I not already got a spare) and it's good to go at £80. It's a GT Nomad Sport, which are pretty reasonable for commuting and touring.

 

[peanut]

Thanks Peanut.
I was going to try to buy something secondhand from ebay or gumtree to save money so I presume I'd be able to get something higher spec (but obvously older) than a brand new bike.

My Brother has a Boardman Pro Hybrid and something of that kind of weight is fine.

Thanks for your help

heres a review of the Boardman . Its heavy at 23 lbs considering it allegedly has carbon forks? but you should be able to get one of these used for around £250 or so
http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/urban/product/pro-urban-08--30996

 

[peanut]

Sorry, Peanut, but you're wrong. I got a perfectly good hybrid (needed a new wheel) from a CC member for £50. New front wheel (which would have cost £30 had I not already got a spare) and it's good to go at £80. It's a GT Nomad Sport, which are pretty reasonable for commuting and touring.

read my post properly doc I said
'you won't get a cheap light bike for £200 .hybrids are not light bikes anyway.'
doesn't sound to me like the op would be interested in your bag of rubbish ,as I understand it he wants a complete useable bike in good condition not something he needs to refurbish and buy bits for

 

[peanut]

this is an example of a good quality lightweight bike .Its probably not your size or colour or whatever but is is a hand made frameset with 9 speed quality components. About the best bang for your buck you are likely to get for your budget
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Roberts-hybri...ZViewItemQQptZUK_Bikes_GL?hash=item2a025a6e9f

 

[andyfromotley]

i wouldnt get too hung up on wieght, all road bikes are comparatively light compared to other bikes. Choose one you like the look of, go for an established name and you cant go too far wrong.

aandy

 

[rh100]

yes weight is relative but you are completely missing my point.

The point I made is that you cannot expect to get a good quality used lightweight hybrid bike for £200

your advice basically don't amount to much more than stating the blindingly obvious like
'make sure the frame you buy is the right size' ???? and
'get the bike checked over 'and
'avoid anything dodgy'
very helpful

Well I'm sorry my advice didn't come up to your quality control standards, I just thought I'd share some general experience. Do you attack me just for saying I disagree? I don't see anything wrong with what I said - if you can do better then do so - instead of saying 'do a search' which is extremely unhelpfull IMO. If you truly believe I am wrong, then be constructive and educate me, I am happy to learn - not to be insulted.

And you are very wrong - I have just purchased two aluminium hybrids for little over £200 of a good brand - yes I expect to pay a little to make the one them up to scratch - but it suits my purposes. Read the OP - short on road journeys - what you suggest - £300 and not met reserve? A waste IMO, if the OP does indeed want something of that type then I obviously misread the post.

 

[The Jogger]

Here ya go., light weight hybrids and within budget

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/GENTS-SPECIAL...ZViewItemQQptZUK_Bikes_GL?hash=item1e590c6cf6

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BEAUTIFUL-SPE...ZViewItemQQptZUK_Bikes_GL?hash=item3efa00a054

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Specialized-S...ZViewItemQQptZUK_Bikes_GL?hash=item27aceb3f5d

Jogger

 

[TheDoctor]

read my post properly doc I said
'you won't get a cheap light bike for £200 .hybrids are not light bikes anyway.'
doesn't sound to me like the op would be interested in your bag of rubbish ,as I understand it he wants a complete useable bike in good condition not something he needs to refurbish and buy bits for

Perhaps you could learn a few manners. The bike I refer to was usable after 15 mins work, most of which was fitting and inflating a tyre. Hardly a bag of rubbish. It's an illustration of what's out there.