where to look for 2nd hand bikes?
Discussion
Any specific forums that are worth following for used bikes or is it evilbay?
The OH has gone back to cycling so I think I need to get a bike as well. But don't fancy paying £££££ for one though.
My default option would be to go look at the decathlon bikes (that's what I bought my kids) but reading around it seems that they aren't the great bargain that they used to be. With that in mind I'm thinking about looking for something used.
Any suggestions?
The OH has gone back to cycling so I think I need to get a bike as well. But don't fancy paying £££££ for one though.
My default option would be to go look at the decathlon bikes (that's what I bought my kids) but reading around it seems that they aren't the great bargain that they used to be. With that in mind I'm thinking about looking for something used.
Any suggestions?
Trouble with summer, esp with the TDF on is that it pushes up the price of bikes SH, I got one last January for a great price, the height of winter is the best time to buy imo.
There are some good buy and sell groups on Facebook for cycling
There are some OK buys on ebay if you avoid the big names and choose less known but great bikes .
There are some good buy and sell groups on Facebook for cycling
There are some OK buys on ebay if you avoid the big names and choose less known but great bikes .
JEA1K said:
Its not a sport for knuckle-dragging apes like football ... riders and teams are supported from all nations.;)
Whilst I'm going to distance myself from the footie comment, it is very true that many people just like to watch a good bike race. They may have a favourite rider, and would prefer to see him/her win, but it's often the manner of the win, and the character of the victor, rather than the identity of the winner, which is most important. So to answer the question, no. The hype will not dwindle quickly. I don't think even a complete lack of British riders in Le Tour would dampen the enthusiasm for cycling that the TdF can whip up. I expect a glut of bikes onto the second hand market sometime around Christmas, or sensible sellers will hold onto their bikes until next Spring to get better exposure, and a little less competition for the buyers. As a buyer, now is a bad time to look, as too many dreamers will be setting a high value against some utter rubbish, and sorting the wheat from the chaff will be tough going.
Whatever you choose to do, if you find a bike you want, temper your enthusiasm, especially with ebay auctions. Set a sensible maximum and stick to it. Whatever you do, don't get carried away. I've seen second hand stuff go for the same as new in the past, simply because folk got caught up in a bidding war and let things go too far...
With eBay I've bought 4 corking bikes by viewing in person and then offering cash before the listing ends. I like that I can assess a seller's dodginess or enthusiasm from their language and grammar used before going any further.
I've usually narrowed a target shortlist down to models and years and just wait for the right things to come along.
I've usually narrowed a target shortlist down to models and years and just wait for the right things to come along.
JEA1K said:
Its not a sport for knuckle-dragging apes like football ... riders and teams are supported from all nations.;)
Ouch!I wasn't sure how much of the general enthusiasm was due to mass media coverage and how quickly that will drop off with no UK front runner. I'm not exactly jingoistic and it does seem that media coverage of sports is significantly higher when there are UK participants.
edit: to be clear - as I'm looking for a cheap used bike I am not so interested in the long term fans, but those who have become interested as a result of the media fuss with the TDF being in the UK and are likely to be selling their bikes in short order.
Since the TDF publicity there has been a huge increase in the number of cyclists around me - but judging by the sizes and levels of fitness (and the way they dont look to be enjoying themselves) I'm expecting those people to be giving up fast.
Edited by TooLateForAName on Friday 11th July 08:10
richardxjr said:
With eBay I've bought 4 corking bikes by viewing in person and then offering cash before the listing ends. I like that I can assess a seller's dodginess or enthusiasm from their language and grammar used before going any further.
I've usually narrowed a target shortlist down to models and years and just wait for the right things to come along.
Exactly what I did for my last one. Narrowed it down to 19 inch Specialized or Trek 19 29er and pounced on the first one that came up on EbayI've usually narrowed a target shortlist down to models and years and just wait for the right things to come along.
I paid £500 for a very lightly-used six month old Trek that had had an rrp of £950 six to nine months earlier.
Edit; there is of course a lot of overpriced junk out there too. But every now and then you can find a decent bike from someone genuine who's either lost interest or, more likely, who is upgrading.
Edited by AC43 on Thursday 10th July 20:13
yellowjack said:
Whilst I'm going to distance myself from the footie comment, it is very true that many people just like to watch a good bike race. They may have a favourite rider, and would prefer to see him/her win, but it's often the manner of the win, and the character of the victor, rather than the identity of the winner, which is most important.
Well put. I'm still sulking that Zdenek Stybar isn't in the OPQS team. 
TooLateForAName said:
Any specific forums that are worth following for used bikes or is it evilbay?
The OH has gone back to cycling so I think I need to get a bike as well. But don't fancy paying £££££ for one though.
My default option would be to go look at the decathlon bikes (that's what I bought my kids) but reading around it seems that they aren't the great bargain that they used to be. With that in mind I'm thinking about looking for something used.
Any suggestions?
How much tax do you pay? Does your work have a ride to work/cycle to work scheme? That's 25-40/50% off right there- off a new bike! Plus installment payments on the rest. Just sayin'. The OH has gone back to cycling so I think I need to get a bike as well. But don't fancy paying £££££ for one though.
My default option would be to go look at the decathlon bikes (that's what I bought my kids) but reading around it seems that they aren't the great bargain that they used to be. With that in mind I'm thinking about looking for something used.
Any suggestions?
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