Which bike for the grandson?

[Deleted member 89023]

Hi Everyone, our grandson is beginning a new job soon and is looking for a bike for commuting back & forth (around six miles in total.) It's mainly road with a few bumpy shortcuts along the way. We don't want to break the bank (he's a teenager so who knows how long he'll keep the job?) so we're looking to buy something up to £100. I've narrowed it down to the following four bikes. He's 5ft 9" tall. Many Thanks.

 

[Kingfisher101]

Sorry but those are not very good, so I would advise you to get a better bike second-hand off FB Marketplace or get him a bus pass etc.

 

[Deleted member 89023]

Sorry but those are not very good, so I would advise you to get a better bike second-hand off FB Marketplace or get him a bus pass etc.

Thanks, you're probably right. I wouldn't touch any of them myself, but we live in a semi-rural area so it's a matter of getting from A to B without much expense.

 

[All uphill]

These are all used bikes, I think, so the usual advice applies:

Find the one that fits, is in good condition and isn't stolen.

Do you have a cycle project near you that sells reconditioned older bikes? They are probably a much better bet than something random off gumtree.

 

[vickster]

Those apollos were pretty poor new. Try to find him an older used Carrera Subway, bombproof, no poor suspension. I'd imagine those can be bought for £100, albeit may need a little fettling like a new chain/cassette/cables but will last.
e.g. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/205048873012?_skw=carrera+subway&itmmeta=01JC320X1DTD6KR0HD3XSAGP8X&hash=item2fbddd8034:g:h7AAAOSwIOpnEVF8&itmprp=enc:AQAJAAAA0HoV3kP08IDx+KZ9MfhVJKmOnOkKMVmApuBqMe0O5MrTsIBgB0V1uW+IoIiiL3V11OBhRm4Rwg8g6pv2u2MElWwKosZSNXudxwHv+sCEGExgBR8niFa4PV8g03mxpAKXsiaCUJaPLfjDg53jQEfadKpUCWx2X77MBG8i/Is4qqg/Q9cq75V3N2voto4Nyg6SPhg/bu5RiRylcwUWsZ/r5bSCWempF93hR7maq3PJkTAN54XNOzUg/lWMHJMVomFTHjY53Aaq/g8RVzuhfN1sOt8=|tkp:Bk9SR-TQg-LgZA

Or the similar rimmed brake Parva, not too far from you
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/325783579279?_skw=carrera+parva&itmmeta=01JC32C94V8NYNR09PAG2SHV54&hash=item4bda36ea8f:g:Y3EAAOSwGfBk5H7v&itmprp=enc:AQAJAAAA8HoV3kP08IDx+KZ9MfhVJKnatj3mllOrHsTgcAE0DTZeqb0pSYW6jdb/LY/Hg9zp3ssjlEMxd0GdtPBWf0ELBmTt+Fcr2XDttedB0kjVIUOS/oAEK9+R5F35wC6Ag/yL8gnNpDuvpgMudkzx8sw7TcdBOYhEOqLAao12oxTP1hrAKCTfoYLWyp9c234tvFB3csy/nGL4VW064M354e4XbsEw/In5RKFKNJM+SEhkMbYOXyGntoxKnvf+5Av5wiMWXNyqnSJRqTVyHNEfsXn7tqIDRSOKu8XT5ydcgQO0uEvVCL8hjz2HohO+one2VajZ/A==|tkp:Bk9SR76SseLgZA

Get a good lock to go with. The Onguard Bulldogs are ok for not too much ££, this one with cable for front wheel. Just make sure he knows how to use it properly!!
e.g. https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_...sacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2332490.m570.l1313

Maybe stick a wanted ad in the Classifieds, someone might have something suitable lurking in their shed looking for love

 

[Sharky]

Three miles each way?

Does he even need a bike? Should only be a 40 minute walk each way. I used to live a mile from the station, a 40 minute train journey, then a 30 minute walk from Blackfriars to the office.

 

[Sixmile]

As above, Gumtree or FB Marketplace is better for an assignment like this. Any new bike at that money won't be pleasant or reliable in any shape or form. There should be plenty of bargains at this time of year when demand is low and folk may be making space in their sheds or garages.

 

[vickster]

Added a few example links

 

[MichaelW2]

A commuter bike doesnt need suspension fork and those cheap, low end MTB-a-likes have very low grade, heavy suspension. Get a steel fork.
The features required for a short range, rough trails commuter are:
THe right size frame, not too big.
Fat tyres with very good puncture protection and multi- surface tread ( yoy may need to buy separately
Frame equipped with threaded eyelets for rear luggage rack and front/rear bolt on mudguards.
Disk brakes ( even mechanical cable ones) have consistent braking, wet or dry.
Proper bike brand, not discount store model.
This bike will be ridden for around 2000 miles/year in all weather. Buy enough quality . The low end components from Shimano are always good and reliable.
You also a good set of lights. Aldi USB rechargeables are plenty good enough.
Spare inner tube, puncture repair kit,

 

[ianrauk]

He's a teenager. If you get a bike he doesn't like for what ever reason then he wont ride it anyway.

 

[Sixmile]

Or this could be the start of something beautiful

 

[Deleted member 89023]

These are all used bikes, I think, so the usual advice applies:

Find the one that fits, is in good condition and isn't stolen.

Do you have a cycle project near you that sells reconditioned older bikes? They are probably a much better bet than something random off gumtree.

Or this could be the start of something beautiful

This is what I'm hoping for!

 

[rockyroller]

if I were a kid I'd want the blue one, if I were the grandpa I go for the hi-viz red ;-)