Sports Direct Bikes - £50

thenakedchef

http://www.sportsdirect.com/cycling/mountain-bikes

As advertised on tv.

lauraland

ooh cheers for this, was just talking about buying a bike today! Just want something to cycle along the towpath with, these would be up to the job wouldnt they?

graemeakajimmy

There's always much debate about deals like this, but I'd avoid buying these. They are what is know as BSOs by cycling snobs like me - Bicycle Shaped Objects. These won't last and will be unpleasant to ride.

You would get better value for money spending £50 on a 2nd hand bike from a reputable dealer.

If you must go for a cheapo bike like this then try to get a rigid frame which at least won't have the added weight of gimmicky suspension.

katehesk

I'd already seen the ad on TV and I've bought two. We are on a budget being in the process of buying our first home and wanted bikes for occasional riding/cheap activity in the summer months so I think they will do us. They seem ok but we will see.

why are they so cheap? The RRP is £199

graemeakajimmy

The £199 RRP is just a marketing gimmick. I don't know what the law states, but they have obviously put this on sale for this over inflated price for a statutory period before bringing it down to £50. If feel really sorry for anyone who has ever paid £199 for one of these.

I appreciate that someone not wanting to spend much on a bike might see this as a cheap way to get cycling so fair play. Don't buy it for anything more than the out day out covering fairly short distances - go for a second hand if your budget is this low and you want to cover a few miles in relative comfort.

photome

graemeakajimmy wrote: »

The £199 RRP is just a marketing gimmick. I don't know what the law states, but they have obviously put this on sale for this over inflated price for a statutory period before bringing it down to £50. If feel really sorry for anyone who has ever paid £199 for one of these.

I appreciate that someone not wanting to spend much on a bike might see this as a cheap way to get cycling so fair play. Don't buy it for anything more than the out day out covering fairly short distances - go for a second hand if your budget is this low and you want to cover a few miles in relative comfort.

I echo all the above, anyone buying one of these will regret it and it will end up sitting in a shed unused. It will be so hard to ride with a steel frame and dual suspension.

swannee_D_3

katehesk wrote: »

I'd already seen the ad on TV and I've bought two. We are on a budget being in the process of buying our first home and wanted bikes for occasional riding/cheap activity in the summer months so I think they will do us. They seem ok but we will see.

why are they so cheap? The RRP is £199

I've seen these in store and the RRP is around £80 same as online...ok for the not so serious user!

insanojackson

these bikes weigh about twice what a half decent bike would, throw them at a decent section of single trail and i fear they would also fall to pieces.

sillywilly

£50 for a new bike is a joke. You have to remember that they will be making at least 20% after all costs including import, taxes, storage etc. These bikes will be crap.

Much better off buying a decent brand bike second hand. I got a Marin for £55 a Trek for £40 and a Cannondale for £125 off Ebay. Try that first. Even if they need a bit of work a full service isn't gonna cost you much and you will have a bike with good parts that will last.

sillywilly

Agree with the comments about suspension. You really don't need it and on any bike that costs less than £500 new will be rubbish. Ironically they sell Muddy Fox bikes which actually used to be a really good brand. A bit like Raleigh and Hoover.

Budget suspension doesn't work at all, adds weight and is completely redundant. You only really need any suspension if you actually do any serious hills off road - which most people don't!

lauraland

sillywilly wrote: »

£50 for a new bike is a joke. You have to remember that they will be making at least 20% after all costs including import, taxes, storage etc. These bikes will be crap.

Much better off buying a decent brand bike second hand. I got a Marin for £55 a Trek for £40 and a Cannondale for £125 off Ebay. Try that first. Even if they need a bit of work a full service isn't gonna cost you much and you will have a bike with good parts that will last.

cheers, i dont have a clue about bikes. I really want something thats value for money, and dont care if its new or second hand. off to have a look one ebay, thanks for your tips!