Where's best to buy a used bike?

[Robw73]

After way too many years of almost zero exercise, I now find myself in a position where I have spare time again.
I've started running, but want to alternate that with cycling.

I am looking for a road bike or hybrid that I can use in evenings and weekends.
.....but, and there's always a but, I'm on an incredibly tight budget, maybe £300 max.

I am 5'10" so I am presuming it will be about a 56cm frame that I require.

Any help / guidance would be greatly appreciated.

EDIT - Should by any chance anyone be looking to sell, I am Herts / Beds border, but will happily travel to collect.

Edited by Robw73 on Monday 4th May 23:02

Edited by Robw73 on Monday 4th May 23:18

[andyb28]

I would check that you need a 56, I am 6ft and ride a 56. You may just fit on a 56, depending on if you have longer body or legs. Have a look here http://www.evanscycles.com/pages/road-bike-sizing-...

Also note that what ever road bike size you ride, a hybrid is one size down.

I have a lovely carbon road bike, but I went through a couple of 2nd hand bikes from ebay first.

If you want hybrid, check out the boardman bikes at halfords. http://www.halfords.com/cycling/bikes/hybrid-bikes...

I have one for rides to the leisure centre, or anywhere I need to chain the bike up. Its really good for the money.

[Robw73]

Thanks Andy,
Sadly, due to circumstances, my top dollar is £300, although I will keep my eyes peeled for them on eBay.
I was unaware about the size being smaller too, so has been noted.

[The_Jackal]

Gumtree is full of bikes, some real bargains too.

[bakerstreet]

Gumtree, Ebay and there is a facebook group called 'Cycling, Buy, Swap and Sell'. I find the facebook page prices are much more reasonable than Ebay for bikes and accessories.

Also, go and visit your local Decathlon. You'll be able to get a new BTWIN for £300

[SixPotBelly]

^ even better, it's £250 at the moment

BTWIN Triban 300

[Repent]

Being in the same situation time and budget wise, after doing a lots of reading up it seemed that the Boardman bikes offer extremely good value for money secondhand, particularly on Gumtree where you can haggle down rather than the bids going up on eBay (had loads watched on there and they always went for more).

Picked up an immaculate Boardman Comp for £210 yesterday, very happy with it!

The best tip I picked up was looking around was that if you look at bike specification and then search Google for the price of each part I will let you know what the bike is actually worth, hence why I went Boardman as the second hand cost to part quality ratio is high, and both critic and user reviews are excellent. Plus they look awesome .

Good luck!

Edited by Repent on Saturday 9th May 11:18

[frisbee]

You can easily spend 1/2 the price of the bike again in replacing chain, cassette, tyres, brake blocks etc. if they are worn, so buy carefully.

[Clinton Baptiste]

Get that btwin triban above. Otherwise eBay, gumtree and pinkbike and bike radar are good for second hand bargains too, they are both bike forums but with great classifieds sections.

[anonymous-user]

What about the Ventura CP 50 carbon bikes which were sold off cheap last year. I'm sure you can pick up a pretty unused one for around 400 ish

[TwistingMyMelon]

EBay , I get all my bikes there , I look for odd adverts that are poorly written , collection only. I ask the seller questions to make sure they are legit/non time waster

I factor in driving costs and 10% -20%of the winning bid to replace bits that are worn.

I've driven upto Kent and Yorkshire before to get bikes , just make sure the seller won't mess you about.

Loads of people buy bikes ride them once then stick them in the shed, these can be great buys . I've got as new bikes for half price , one I've just done 6000 miles on

Stay away from popular brands such as spez or giant as these do well. I got 2 bargain Wiliers as they aren't so popular or well known. Brands like Dolan and Bmc are similar

Some bikes won't need anything doing , others will.

There were some great buys at the end of jan when everyone is skint before payday

working out sizing can be a pain, but you have to take a gamble . Ironicallyy worst fitting bike is my only one bought brand new from a shop

Edited by TwistingMyMelon on Sunday 10th May 20:45

[Clinton Baptiste]

TwistingMyMelon said:

EBay , I get all my bikes there , I look for odd adverts that are poorly written , collection only. I ask the seller questions to make sure they are legit/non time waster

I factor in driving costs and 10% -20%of the winning bid to replace bits that are worn.

I've driven upto Kent and Yorkshire before to get bikes , just make sure the seller won't mess you about.

Loads of people buy bikes ride them once then stick them in the shed, these can be great buys . I've got as new bikes for half price , one I've just done 6000 miles on

Stay away from popular brands such as spez or giant as these do well. I got 2 bargain Wiliers as they aren't so popular or well known. Brands like Dolan and Bmc are similar

Some bikes won't need anything doing , others will.

There were some great buys at the end of jan when everyone is skint before payday

working out sizing can be a pain, but you have to take a gamble . Ironicallyy worst fitting bike is my only one bought brand new from a shop

Edited by TwistingMyMelon on Sunday 10th May 20:45

Couldn't agree more, I found the exact model bike I was going to buy brand new on line for £1000 for £600 on eBay one month old as new condition and my size! Only 30 miles away too. Couldn't believe my luck.