What's the concensus on eBay for a bike?

[Dunbar]

Tread makes little difference other than to confidence, for pure road riding. It's not like putting slicks on an F1 car in the rain. The quality of the rubber compound itself has more bearing on its "grippiness". Though it's sometimes hard to feel as confident on slicks.

The thing is to avoid the cheap £6 "cheng shin" slicks that can be found on ebay or in the budget cycle departments of chains etc.

Thanks Tiger...

I just assumed that 'slick' meant no tread. Fine in dry conditions as there is more rubber in contact with the road.
I am used to plain old-fashioned tyres with the straight line treads all round, and can't say I ever had a cofidence issue with them.

In all honesty the only times I ever came off was when I was pushed off, by an irate motorist's door, and when a dog ran into my front wheel.
I suppose I have another fall to come before I can say I am a cyclist!

Regards
John

 

[RedBike]

Thanks Beardie and Tiger..


You're quite right of course. But I have decided I won't buy from eBay after all!
I have found a Gents 'Muddy Fox', on Gumtree, advertised by someone 1/2 a mile from my home.
So I am at least I can go and have a look at that.

Apparently it is a 'never used' bike. I can try it out too, of course, and for £80.00 I suppose I can take a risk, provided it isn't exactly falling apart. Then again if I don't feel happy on a Mountain Bike, I will find a decent shop!

Obliged

John

That bike could well be a bargin, but then again Muddy fox have been known to produce bikes at the 'budget' end of the market.
Your £80 could be buying you something thats years old and little better than the piles of junk you can get at the supermarket.

Unless you know exactly what you're looking at and you're prepared to fix any broken/worn parts then I wouldn't purchase anything off ebay.

 

[Dunbar]

That bike could well be a bargain, but then again Muddy fox have been known to produce bikes at the 'budget' end of the market.
Your £80 could be buying you something thats years old and little better than the piles of junk you can get at the supermarket.

Unless you know exactly what you're looking at and you're prepared to fix any broken/worn parts then I wouldn't purchase anything off ebay.

Hi Redbike,

Thanks for the input.

Of course you are quite right. I might have misled you, as the 'Muddy-Fox' wasn't located on eBay, which is one reason I could actually go and see it. To be honest I don't know much about mountain bikes, but I know a decent 'bike' when I see one; and I'm a fair 'haggler' on prices.

My own bike is a shade too big for me at my age, and I can't hop on and off as easily as I could 30 years ago! Oherwise, I'd get some modern gears and new wheels for it. That might cost as much as a decent second hand bike mind, (If not more) but I'd have a great ride! Hence I am looking for something smaller yet reliable.

Thanks again my friend and take care out there.
Regards John

 

[swee'pea99]

No offense, but I'm a tad baffled by the idea that you can't use your old bike 'cos you can't hop on & off as easily as you once could. Surely that's going to be true of any bike. And if the one you have once fitted you, then surely it'll still fit you - and fit is one of the most important things when getting a bike that's right for you. I mean, you may be older, but your legs haven't actually shrunk have they? 

Seriously though, if I were you I think my first move (assuming it's possible) would be to lower your saddle a wee bit, to overcome your understandable degree of nervousness after all this time, and go for a few potters. Down to the library...off to the shops...round the park. Once your confidence comes back (and I think you could be surprised how soon that could happen) you could probably have a good time on your bike (assuming it's any good of course - I suppose it could be a pile of crap!)




Whatever happens - good luck! And have fun. And well done. Whichever way you go, you won't regret it...

 

[RedBike]

Hi Redbike,

Thanks for the input.

Of course you are quite right. I might have misled you, as the 'Muddy-Fox' wasn't located on eBay, which is one reason I could actually go and see it. To be honest I don't know much about mountain bikes, but I know a decent 'bike' when I see one; and I'm a fair 'haggler' on prices.

My own bike is a shade too big for me at my age, and I can't hop on and off as easily as I could 30 years ago! Oherwise, I'd get some modern gears and new wheels for it. That might cost as much as a decent second hand bike mind, (If not more) but I'd have a great ride! Hence I am looking for something smaller yet reliable.

Thanks again my friend and take care out there.
Regards John

MTBS have compact frames so they do appear to be easier to get on and off than a traditional horizontal top tubed road bikes. However, MTB frames normally have relatively high bottom brackets. The higher the bottom bracket the higher the saddle. A high saddle can make life rather awkward when it comes to starting /stopping. For instance I cannot comfortably get both feet down on my MTB while remaining seated.

Many road bikes now also come with compact (low top tube) frames. You may find these easier than a MTB.

 

[Dunbar]

Hi swee'pea,

Thanks for the reply.

I'll try to explain. The bike is a 21" frame and I have a 29.5" inside leg. (Despite having once been just a quarter of an inch shy of 6 feet!) In effect, the bike always was too big for me. I did have the saddle right down, yet I couldn't sit astride the bike, with at least one foot flat on the ground. I always had to slide in and out of the saddle to put one foot down. Mounting and dismounting was never a problem. Like any one else riding a 'Gents' frame, I could scoot and 'cock the leg over the saddle'!

Due to a metal knee, and a bit of lower spinal trouble, I couldn't do that now. I would have to use the kerb to mount or dismount. That's a minor inconvenience, but getting in and out of the saddle whilst riding, is another matter. E.g at road junctions, when I have to wait before turning. One mistake and I could be on the deck and under a vehicle.
Hope that explains what I was getting at.

regards
John

 

[swee'pea99]

Yup - it certainly does. Good luck with your searches. Incidentally, as others have said, don't be concerned about no tread on your tyres - tread on cars is there to prevent aquaplaning, but because cycle tyres are so narrow, aquaplaning isn't an issue. (At least, not below something like 140MPH). The only time tread can actually help you on a bicycle tyre is on soft ground - on the road, it's just a drag.

 

[Dunbar]

Thanks for the reply...

Well I shouldn't have a problem if I got the old bike running again. The tyres are worn to just plain rubber anyway!
I gave serious consideration to getting her running I must admit, but the price of a decent groupset was ridiculousy high; about ten times the cost of the bike when it was new!
So the Huret would have to keep gong a while longer!

Regards
John