Bike n00b wants a cheap bike
Discussion
Hi,
After tearing around in bikes of the petrol powered variety for a few years, I'd like to get back into push bikes.
However I know sod all about them, all I know is I'm wanting a hybrid and to spend no more than £200 if possible.
I like this as it's cheap, red & black, and it's a 'Raleigh', although I don't know if that means its a VW or Lada of push bikes;
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...
Carrera seems to be recommended on a few older cheap bike threads
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...
I'm all for something second hand - except of course I'm clueless about what to look for on Fleabay/Gumtree etc.
Checking fleabay theres a Dawes Sardar 26inch tourer for £250, but over budget but local and looks immaculate, should I be interested?
Cheers,
Mark
After tearing around in bikes of the petrol powered variety for a few years, I'd like to get back into push bikes.
However I know sod all about them, all I know is I'm wanting a hybrid and to spend no more than £200 if possible.
I like this as it's cheap, red & black, and it's a 'Raleigh', although I don't know if that means its a VW or Lada of push bikes;
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...
Carrera seems to be recommended on a few older cheap bike threads
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...
I'm all for something second hand - except of course I'm clueless about what to look for on Fleabay/Gumtree etc.
Checking fleabay theres a Dawes Sardar 26inch tourer for £250, but over budget but local and looks immaculate, should I be interested?
Cheers,
Mark
Have a look at a Specilasied Sirrus, there will be loads on ebay. Globe are a pretty reliable brand for hybrids and Ridgeback are worth a look too. The Giant Escape model is pretty good too. You should find one of the above for under £200 but check free ads etc too as I always find bidding goes nuts on ebay for hybrids.
The cheap stuff from Halfords is pretty poos quality stuff and wont last long, the components arent particularly durable nor robust and prone to require frequent maintenance.
The cheap stuff from Halfords is pretty poos quality stuff and wont last long, the components arent particularly durable nor robust and prone to require frequent maintenance.
It's a tricky balance - obviously I want something decent but it might not get used often (I want to try commuting on it, but suspect mainly recreational use).
There's a couple of independant bike shops in the local town (Inverurie, as well as a Halfords). Is it worth checking them out or will they not likey stock such cheap bikes?
There's a couple of independant bike shops in the local town (Inverurie, as well as a Halfords). Is it worth checking them out or will they not likey stock such cheap bikes?
Ive got a 2012 version of that Subway,paid £185 new on ebay.
It gets used daily for pleasure and commuting circa 350 miles per month.
Its been great,light and quick on a mixture of surfaces.
Done about 1000 miles so far,have worn out the chain and cassette and upgraded them for tougher items and swapped the tyres today for something more pucture proof.
Other than that its been super and top value.
It gets used daily for pleasure and commuting circa 350 miles per month.
Its been great,light and quick on a mixture of surfaces.
Done about 1000 miles so far,have worn out the chain and cassette and upgraded them for tougher items and swapped the tyres today for something more pucture proof.
Other than that its been super and top value.
I bought the Shwinn Searcher from Costco.
I killed it in 3 months.
Thankfully they give your money back and you can get something better.
When I say killed it I hit a 50mm kerb at quite fast and buckled both wheels to the point that the brakes wouldn't work.
Gears were good and the suspension seatpost was comfy.
I killed it in 3 months.
Thankfully they give your money back and you can get something better.
When I say killed it I hit a 50mm kerb at quite fast and buckled both wheels to the point that the brakes wouldn't work.
Gears were good and the suspension seatpost was comfy.
bingybongy said:
I bought the Shwinn Searcher from Costco.
I killed it in 3 months.
Thankfully they give your money back and you can get something better.
When I say killed it I hit a 50mm kerb at quite fast and buckled both wheels to the point that the brakes wouldn't work.
Gears were good and the suspension seatpost was comfy.
To be fair I'd expect that to break a lot of wheels.I killed it in 3 months.
Thankfully they give your money back and you can get something better.
When I say killed it I hit a 50mm kerb at quite fast and buckled both wheels to the point that the brakes wouldn't work.
Gears were good and the suspension seatpost was comfy.
But yes - "good" bikes start at well above £200, I'm afraid - £400 buys far more than twice the bike, for instance.
Gizmoish said:
But yes - "good" bikes start at well above £200, I'm afraid - £400 buys far more than twice the bike, for instance.
So I'll be able to go twice as fast on a £400 bike then? 
In all seriousness it's only going to be used as an occasional recreational bike, and with the odd bit of commuting, maybe, if I have the time. If I was really going to use it a lot I'd happily spend £500+
Nowt wrong with schwinn. They're a big brand in places like USA.
I purchased a 2013 schwinn slicker around a month and a half ago and it's a lovely thing.
Not amazingly light but very fast and smooth. Can't fault it.
I did snap a spoke on the rear wheel just recently but with tyres near 100 psi and rough and potholes roads around me, I doubt it was any fault of the bike.
Btw, many on this forum will insist that if you aren't spending a few k on a bike, you may as well not bother.
What these people can't seem to grasp is that you won't be doing 100 miles on every ride or spending 30 hours in the saddle each week. Nore will you be pushing it hard trying to average 30mph up 20% inclines day in day out.
A £200 bike from halfords will do the job you require. A better bike will be totally wasted if you don't get into it and it does end up with only occasional use. You can always sell it and buy a more expensive bike later.
Buy the best you can afford, not what a bunch if people on here insist you should be able to afford.
I purchased a 2013 schwinn slicker around a month and a half ago and it's a lovely thing.
Not amazingly light but very fast and smooth. Can't fault it.
I did snap a spoke on the rear wheel just recently but with tyres near 100 psi and rough and potholes roads around me, I doubt it was any fault of the bike.
Btw, many on this forum will insist that if you aren't spending a few k on a bike, you may as well not bother.
What these people can't seem to grasp is that you won't be doing 100 miles on every ride or spending 30 hours in the saddle each week. Nore will you be pushing it hard trying to average 30mph up 20% inclines day in day out.
A £200 bike from halfords will do the job you require. A better bike will be totally wasted if you don't get into it and it does end up with only occasional use. You can always sell it and buy a more expensive bike later.
Buy the best you can afford, not what a bunch if people on here insist you should be able to afford.
Edited by MysteryLemon on Tuesday 6th August 08:07
bit of background for those that are interested - I thought schwinn were currently owned by raleigh, seems I was wrong.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dorel_Industries
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dorel_Industries
Halfords are doing the vengeance for £269 today!
You could go s/h. I got a nice old steel framed mtb with full XT and Manitou forks for £130 on ebay. Trouble is, even though its excellent nick, I'm having to faff around changing the worn out old wheels which is a bit annoying when you just want to get going!
You could go s/h. I got a nice old steel framed mtb with full XT and Manitou forks for £130 on ebay. Trouble is, even though its excellent nick, I'm having to faff around changing the worn out old wheels which is a bit annoying when you just want to get going!
MarkRSi said:
good choice. look after it and it should prove a worthy companion for your cycling adventuresMarkRSi said:
I convinced my brother to buy the very same bike yesterday. He wanted something which was good enough quality, but spending less than £200.Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff