Used bike for daily London commute - 15 miles - £750

[Ffffaster]

I struggle to get the time to exercise, so I have decided to take the plunge and cycle to work from August – October. My commute is just over 7 miles in London and doesn’t seem to have any crazy inclines.

The last time I bought a bicycle, it was 20 years ago and tech has changed drastically as far as I can tell. I’ve set myself a budget of £500 - £750 and would like to find the best used bicycle I can for 15 miles a day.

I’m 5 foot 8 inches, 175 cms in height and about 69 kilos. I think means a medium frame is probably ok for me?

Can PH please direct me to the best USED bikes they can think of/find on eBay, Gumtree or similar?

If you can’t find an example to buy, I would be very grateful for the model of the bike I should keep an eye out for.

The choices are dizzying and I’m really struggling to understand what I really need. From the reading I’ve done, I think my “musts” are:

1. Disc brakes
2. Flat bar hybird or a comfortable road bike frame. Nothing too extreme, as my back can get funny!
3. Geared (not fixed or single speed)

If I could also get some top tips for accessories or technology that you guys love, that would be awesome too.

I understand tyres are pretty much puncture proof, or very resistant these days too. Any info around this would be great too.

Thanks so much.

Edited by Ffffaster on Thursday 8th August 19:52

[magpie215]

[funinhounslow]

Can I suggest a Brompton for a 7 mile commute in London? It doesn’t have disc brakes but meets your other requirements. Plus city commuting is pretty much what it’s designed for.

Without knowing your route I’d assume it’s going to be very stop/starty and involve nipping through traffic - the Brompton’s small wheels make it very nippy and quick off the mark.

They have an attachment on the front to fit a bag so you don’t need to use a backpack.

Wide choice of handlebar styles and gears too. I have the two gear and it’s fine for London.

Plus (obviously!) it folds. You may not see this as a requirement but it’s very handy. If it’s pouring after a long day just fold it up and take it on the bus/tube. Impromptu drinks after work - fold it up and take it with you.

You should be able to get a decent second hand one for the upper limit of your budget. Or maybe see if your employer offers the cycle to work scheme and get one effectively tax free…

[Ffffaster]

funinhounslow said:

Can I suggest a Brompton for a 7 mile commute in London? It doesn’t have disc brakes but meets your other requirements. Plus city commuting is pretty much what it’s designed for.

Without knowing your route I’d assume it’s going to be very stop/starty and involve nipping through traffic - the Brompton’s small wheels make it very nippy and quick off the mark.

They have an attachment on the front to fit a bag so you don’t need to use a backpack.

Wide choice of handlebar styles and gears too. I have the two gear and it’s fine for London.

Plus (obviously!) it folds. You may not see this as a requirement but it’s very handy. If it’s pouring after a long day just fold it up and take it on the bus/tube. Impromptu drinks after work - fold it up and take it with you.

You should be able to get a decent second hand one for the upper limit of your budget. Or maybe see if your employer offers the cycle to work scheme and get one effectively tax free…

Thanks mate! I have a Dahon Mu Uno which is nice but not sure I fancy 40 minutes and it's a single speed only.

[numtumfutunch]

Honestly just go for anything that broadly fits and takes mudguards

If you have secure storage the Boardman above is a great shout

If you dont buy a Brompton with mudguards and gears - any number above single speed will be OK in London - and keep it locked in an office at work

Its really as simple as that

If you dont have secure storage or an office and are in the Santander zone buy a season ticket

Cheers

[Hugo Stiglitz]

7 miles each way on a Brompton....ah...no.

If it's flat though how about a singlespeed/fixie?

I have one, it's simply fantastic.

[TheDrownedApe]

magpie215 said:

no need to go any further - just buy one like this

[plenty]

Been mentioned above, but secure storage is a pre-requisite. If not available, then buy something you would be not regret being stolen.

[Hard-Drive]

+1 for the Brompton. If you look carefully, you will be able to get a very decent 6 speed at the upper end of your budget. Just make sure it's legit, ask the right questions!

You don't need to worry about storage, just fold it down and put it under your desk. Or pub table. Don't buy a lock, because you should never leave it locked up outside of your sight. Ever.

They are very fast in town, tiny width and small wheels makes them brilliant for nipping in and out of traffic. Fairly upright riding position (regardless of handlebar style) gives you great visibility too and your back will be fine. Big bag on the front for your laptop etc.

You won't lose much money if you decide to sell on, and if you come out of work and it's p1ssing with rain, take it on the train/taxi/tube home with no additional charge.

I'm a fairly serious road cyclist/MAMIL (cycled LEJOG in 10 days last month on my road bike) but I absolutely LOVE my Brompton, it's not so much about the bike (which is nothing short of engineering genius) but just what it actually opens up to you and how ridiculously practical it is.

[balise]

numtumfutunch said:

Honestly just go for anything that broadly fits and takes mudguards

If you have secure storage the Boardman above is a great shout

If you dont buy a Brompton with mudguards and gears - any number above single speed will be OK in London - and keep it locked in an office at work

Its really as simple as that

If you dont have secure storage or an office and are in the Santander zone buy a season ticket

Cheers

I would add that for that budget you’d get a decent new bike which should have less wear and be more reliable. If you’re using it daily you’ll want it to work.

As others say, think about where you keep it when you get to work.

[boyse7en]

Any commuter bike will fit the bill for your requirements. Best bet might be to visit your local bike shop, as it should be set up properly and should come with some sort of warranty.

And I wouldn't worry too much about disc brakes either - the main benefit is heat dissipation on long descents, which you won't be doing. Rim brakes are easier to maintain and adjust for the beginner mechanic too. If you do go for discs, make sure they are hydraulic, not mechanical (cable operated) as they just aren't very good.

Stuff you want to look for - mudguard fixing points, 700c (ISO 622) wheels (a standard size, so huge choice of tyres), pannier mounts in case you want to add some luggage to carry stuff to work. Any gearing will do the job, so any spec from Shimano or SRAM will be fine (big brands, so easy to get spares and replacement parts)

TBH, with a £750 budget, you should be able to get a brand new bike that fits the bill - https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Merida-Speeder-300-2023-H...

[balise]

I'd also add that I like cycling in London; if you plan your routes and keep your eyes and ears open I feel safer than I do on A roads in the suburbs.

[funinhounslow]

Hugo Stiglitz said:

7 miles each way on a Brompton....ah...no.

If it's flat though how about a singlespeed/fixie?

I have one, it's simply fantastic.

It’s just over half an hour riding at a leisurely pace.

Short hops in cities is literally what they were designed to do...

I regularly cycle longer on my S2 with no issues

I’d suggest a Brompton is far better suited to commuting than a fixie…

[Ryyy]

Hugo Stiglitz said:

7 miles each way on a Brompton....ah...no.

If it's flat though how about a singlespeed/fixie?

I have one, it's simply fantastic.

A single speed or a fixie?
Ive got a budget mango fixie build, i love it

For the OP, id highly reccomend a hybrid, perfect for commuting. I had a giant roam about 10 years ago and was perfect for the job

[Ffffaster]

Thanks everyone! I have a single speed 20 inch wheel folder already. I appreciate it really depends, but sounds like 7 miles on a folding bike is generally ok? I just thought they'd be too slow or not comfortable over that distance. I think the single speed is probably my biggest issue which means I'll need somehting else?

[okgo]

I do 7 miles on a 40kg cargo bike. It really isn’t very far and any bike is going to be fine.

Bikes go as fast as the person riding them. I’m sure I could easily clip along at 20mph on the flat on a folding bike.

The difference between my cargo bike and a road race bike is about 3 minutes on that distance. The traffic lights dictate your speed more than anything else.

[Ryyy]

7 miles isnt that much really why dont you do your commute and see how you get on?

My city is very flat with the odd fly over and i never wish i had gears.suspension,yes but thats not going on a fixie your chainring and rear cog will play on that part whether its okay for general commuting.

I said it on my last post but the confort a hybrid would bring would be 10x that of a rigid bike and you have your gears for suoer speedies and cruising

[Hugo Stiglitz]

This is mine.

The frame/forks are new/old stock. The front wheel sat in my shed for almost 10yrs unused. The cranks are my old Mtb ones - bars are 8yr old 800mm mtb bars.

The ratio will shock some snobs in the singlespeed world (I think it's 16T/30T) but it works very well in all applications. The ratio makes it very usable and I struggle to spin out. It's more of a get up to speed and keep the speed. The ratio also means I'm not struggling to set off from lights when tired.

The frame is a Dolan Precursa? Has rack mounts for mudguards also

Edit it's what I call my ratbike - it can do anything. I'd happily commute on it.

Edited by Hugo Stiglitz on Saturday 10th August 10:47

[dcb]

boyse7en said:

And I wouldn't worry too much about disc brakes either - the main benefit is heat dissipation on long descents, which you won't be doing.

I have the opposite opinion - I have two bikes with disc brakes and three
with rim brakes and IMHO disc brakes are *very* much better in the rain
& puddles, better with slightly out of true wheels and brake sharper anyway.

boyse7en said:

Rim brakes are easier to maintain and adjust for the beginner mechanic too.

Another disagreement here. Rim brakes have to be set up in three dimensions
and travel on an arc when in use. Disc brakes just move in one dimension only,
in towards the rotor. Simple hex key to adjust. Even I can do that.

1 < 3, or not ?

boyse7en said:

If you do go for discs, make sure they are hydraulic, not mechanical (cable operated) as they just aren't very good.

Third disagreement here. I've never had hydraulic and all the people I've
ever talked to about it say it's not worth the faff. I can attack cables with
a trusty pair of pliers to get the tension into them. I don't fancy bleeding
hydraulics at the side of the road.

Just my 2p worth. 350 km a month for years and I have been known to
do 400 km in a week on my holidays.

[BoRED S2upid]

TheDrownedApe said:

magpie215 said:

no need to go any further - just buy one like this

Or not!

If you are on a train line then Brompton you can sling it onto the train or commute no problem. Otherwise you need a singlespeed they are just cool as!