Used bikes in South London

[Pete velocity]

Hi all,

I'm going to be on a training course in South London for 3 months and was thinking of buying a cheap 2nd hand bike for getting around on and keeping fit. It's too much hassle bringing my own bike down from Scotland on the plane, so I was wondering if anyone had any tips on where to pick up a half decent hybrid or mountain bike?
I will be in the Gatwick/Crawley area.

Thanks
Pete

 

[Intelligenthamster]

Hi Pete

I worked in Dorking, Surrey for years and there is a shop in South St called S C Fuller. It sold new and used (in some cases very old used) bikes, lights, wheels, and did some minor cycle works as well. 01306-882407 or scfuller.co.uk
I am not connected with this firm at all, just used them a few times and always been very happy. Dorking is a bit "out" from London but easy to get to by rail. Might be worth ringing them and asking what they have.

FYI there are two Evanses in Crawley / Gatwick, the fancy store is in Crawley but I prefer the warehouse one on the Gatwick industrial estate has its own free parking right outside and is less crowded. It's not far from Radar Roundabout, as it's known locally- very close to the airport and not difficult to find.

There are nice trails on Leith Hill near Dorking- Summer Lightning is the best known. Designed for MTB but I have done them on the hybrid in dry weather. HTH

 

[Ticktockmy]

Hi all,

I'm going to be on a training course in South London for 3 months and was thinking of buying a cheap 2nd hand bike for getting around on and keeping fit. It's too much hassle bringing my own bike down from Scotland on the plane, so I was wondering if anyone had any tips on where to pick up a half decent hybrid or mountain bike?
I will be in the Gatwick/Crawley area.

Thanks
Pete

Well in Crawley itsself you have 4 choices, Evans in the Broadway, Evans in Gatw ick road which is warehouse and shop, Ahead LBS also in the broadway, worth a visit, and dare I say it Halfords in the County oak shoping area out on the A23 near to the industrail area.

 

[Ticktockmy]

And please Gatwick and Crawley ARE not in South London.. they are in West Sussex.

 

[Ticktockmy]

Hi Pete

I worked in Dorking, Surrey for years and there is a shop in South St called S C Fuller. It sold new and used (in some cases very old used) bikes, lights, wheels, and did some minor cycle works as well. 01306-882407 or scfuller.co.uk
I am not connected with this firm at all, just used them a few times and always been very happy. Dorking is a bit "out" from London but easy to get to by rail. Might be worth ringing them and asking what they have.

FYI there are two Evanses in Crawley / Gatwick, the fancy store is in Crawley but I prefer the warehouse one on the Gatwick industrial estate has its own free parking right outside and is less crowded. It's not far from Radar Roundabout, as it's known locally- very close to the airport and not difficult to find.

There are nice trails on Leith Hill near Dorking- Summer Lightning is the best known. Designed for MTB but I have done them on the hybrid in dry weather. HTH

Really after living in Crawley for 40 odd year I never knew it was called radar roundabout, as the rader unit near to the roundabout has only been ther about 15 years, you learn something new all the time, I always thought it was the north Tinsley roundabout.

 

[Intelligenthamster]

I used to work at the Scania depot at Lingfield- we serviced the trucks for P J Brown at Charlwood and the Gatwick airport parking buses, all the drivers used to call it Radar Roundabout.

What I saw with the airport buses of one company is why I won't park on the end of the row in airport park and rides.

 

[Chris S]

Just look on ebay - I got a perfectly useable Raleigh Cyclone for £12.50.

If you aren't bothered by the lack of a cross-bar then women's bikes are even cheaper.

 

[Pete velocity]

Thanks for the info everyone.

Apologies for the geographical error! They do call the local airport LONDON Gatwick though....

Cheers
Pete

 

[Adasta]

Gatwick isn't that far from Brighton, where I think there's a secondhand bike shop called Grandad's Bike Shop. You'd have to Google it to find out if it still exists though.

Grandad's is still there; it's a popular shop with the local student population (of which I was, until recently, a member). It's in London Road market which is, surprisingly, on London Road.

 

[dellzeqq]

you can borrow my hybrid for three months if you like. Rear mech is crap, but it just about works. You'd need to be 5'9" to 6'1

 

[dellzeqq]

...although you'll have to be quick - I've got somebody else interested

 

[Pete velocity]

Dellzeqq, thanks for the offer, very kind of you.
I wouldn't like to be responsible for someone else's pride and joy though. The bike will probably be left chained up outside my hotel during the day and all weekend when I am back home. I just need a cheap second hand bike (£30 to £50) to keep me mobile while I am down south, and hopefully it won't get nicked. When I am finished at Gatwick I will sell it on or donate it to someone.

Has anyone used "Re-cycle" at Elephant and Castle?

 

[Davidc]

They do call the local airport LONDON Gatwick though....

And Berwick Rangers play in the Scottish Cup and Scottish Third Division ....

 

[Pete velocity]

Berwick is Scottish.

We just haven't got round to breaking the news to the English yet.

 

[Davidc]

Berwick is Scottish.

We just haven't got round to breaking the news to the English yet.

Went there once, dunno what all the fuss is about. It was Scottish at one (or several) times in the past, it's just that the English must have won the last border skirmish.

Enjoy your stay in southern England, just don't tell the locals in Sussex they're in London. If you go anywhere near Stansted the same applies!

BTW - Good luck with your bike hunt.