Recomentation please for a cheap, light, second hand Bike

[icebergx]

I've found all you responses useful and, if anything, I think a lot of the arguments caused have been because I was a bit vague with my initial post (probably because I don't really know what I'm talking about.

I'll try to be a bit more specific:
1) I'm probably not going to be riding the bike more than 8km per day (a few short 1-2 km road journeys at most)
2) I'm male, 6ft 2in tall and weigh about 14 Stone.
3) Ideally I'd prefer not to do any work (as I wouldn't really know what to look for or do) but I would consider it.
4) The bike will be stored outside, but will be sheltered to a certain extent


Now to some further questions:
1) Are there any major things to look out for when buying a second hand bike? eg buckles, fake parts, etc
2) Denmark is quite rainy. Are there any other factors I should consider?
3) I like the look of the Specialized Sirrus (more so than the road bike that was proposed). Does anyone have any further suggestions for bikes/models and What would be their respective "going rates" second hand?
4) How much would a "good condition" Sirrus Elite (1-2 yrs old) be worth?

Thanks again for your help

 

[Arch]

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

Those all look good, although none of them have a rack which makes them a bit pointless to me for commuting etc. I still think the OP could get an old hub geared town bike for less than £100 which would do fine - a few kms on the flat is all we're talking about, so gears are almost unecessary, as is lightness frankly. I've just switched to my winter hack (hub gears and brakes) which weighs several more kilos than my summer bike (derailleur and rim brakes), and it makes hardly any difference over the 3 miles into work. And such a bike, assuming it starts off in decent nick, will stand up to living outside. It's much more the sort of thing you see in Copenhagen...

 

[rh100]

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

They look nice

I've found all you responses useful and, if anything, I think a lot of the arguments caused have been because I was a bit vague with my initial post (probably because I don't really know what I'm talking about.

I'll try to be a bit more specific:
1) I'm probably not going to be riding the bike more than 8km per day (a few short 1-2 km road journeys at most)
2) I'm male, 6ft 2in tall and weigh about 14 Stone.
3) Ideally I'd prefer not to do any work (as I wouldn't really know what to look for or do) but I would consider it.
4) The bike will be stored outside, but will be sheltered to a certain extent


Now to some further questions:
1) Are there any major things to look out for when buying a second hand bike? eg buckles, fake parts, etc
2) Denmark is quite rainy. Are there any other factors I should consider?
3) I like the look of the Specialized Sirrus (more so than the road bike that was proposed). Does anyone have any further suggestions for bikes/models and What would be their respective "going rates" second hand?
4) How much would a "good condition" Sirrus Elite (1-2 yrs old) be worth?

Thanks again for your help

This is from a fellow newbie's perspective, so others will have a different opinion I'm sure - but if it helps:

As for your height, I would read up on frame sizing - the wrong one would be uncomfortable - I found this article interesting and a web search will bring up other advice. Also look into making sure you have a comfortable saddle, it needs to fit your sit bones, I replaced mine with a better fit and it made a big difference.

If it's outside, I guess a tarp would be best at home, and a carrier bag over the saddle anywhere else Advice given to me was to clean and oil the chain after a heavy soaking and wipe the bike down.

I appreciate you don't want to do anything to it when you get it, but invest in a manual and some tools and get a bit of practice in making adjustments, it's cheaper than paying the LBS and the experience will get you out the sticky stuff when it breaks down.

I'm no expert - but when I got my second hand bikes - I checked the frame for kinks, dents, cracks etc, especially around the joints. I figured that the rest of it could be adjusted/replaced for reasonable cost so took the dive - early days yet though I would be interested in other peoples advice on this.

I'm not really familiar with Specialized, but Trek hybrids in the range of 7.1FX or 7.2FX may suit you. Some older hybrids have the shock absorbers on the front - I would suggest avoiding these for the road.

Those all look good, although none of them have a rack which makes them a bit pointless to me for commuting etc. I still think the OP could get an old hub geared town bike for less than £100 which would do fine - a few kms on the flat is all we're talking about, so gears are almost unecessary, as is lightness frankly. I've just switched to my winter hack (hub gears and brakes) which weighs several more kilos than my summer bike (derailleur and rim brakes), and it makes hardly any difference over the 3 miles into work. And such a bike, assuming it starts off in decent nick, will stand up to living outside. It's much more the sort of thing you see in Copenhagen...

Just a thought - a rack can be added to most bikes for a little extra cost, but you are right they are very useful for a commute - saves using a rucksack. Just thinking though if the OP ever wanted to go further than the commute, maybe a lighter hybrid would allow for a bit more versatility - you know how addictive this cycling business is From where I stand as a newbie, my heavy bike has been a complete pig - I feel it has put a cap on my mileage and average speed - which is still quite low - I'm hoping the new hybrid will make a difference. I do like the idea of a simple town bike though, n+1 and all that

 

[Arch]

Just a thought - a rack can be added to most bikes for a little extra cost, but you are right they are very useful for a commute - saves using a rucksack. Just thinking though if the OP ever wanted to go further than the commute, maybe a lighter hybrid would allow for a bit more versatility - you know how addictive this cycling business is From where I stand as a newbie, my heavy bike has been a complete pig - I feel it has put a cap on my mileage and average speed - which is still quite low - I'm hoping the new hybrid will make a difference. I do like the idea of a simple town bike though, n+1 and all that

Very true, about adding a rack. And yes, of course, we all know the OP will get hooked. Especially with Denmark to play in.

 

[Banjo]

I think any of the major brands such as Specialized, Trek ,Dawes etc etc would have a Hybrid bike to suit you.

Find a bike you think might be OK then ask about that specific bike on here.

One thing to consider is bike theft is rife so please take care not to support the criminals by unknowingly buying one thats been nicked.If the seller wants to meet you at a rail station or anywhere other than their own home they may have a good reason for not wanting to give you their name and address.