Anyone bought a mans bike from Asda ?

nuttywoman

Are they ok and have you any recommendations ?
Thanks

busybee100

They are steel frame so don't bother, rust in no time and heavy. That's my hubbys opinion. He suggests Halfords (alloy frame and lighter). Wait for one of their 50% sales, or register your credit card with Quidco, look for online codes, or all three:D

neilmcl

nuttywoman wrote: »

Are they ok and have you any recommendations ?
Thanks

If you, or your man, is going to buy a bike I suggest you get down to some proper bike shops and try some on for size and advice. An adult bike is not something you should be buying from a supermarket imho.

epsilondraconis

My wife and I bought two bikes from Asda about 5 years ago. They are heavy and not the best; however for us they have been fine. We use them only once in a while and so have been ideal for us. If you're thinking of using it regularly, it will probably worth getting something decent.

paulwf

If you want the long version read this blog which was instigated by the bikes that Asda sell: http://bicycleshapedobject.wordpress.com . Supermarket bikes are known in the bike trade as BSO's or Bicycle Shaped Objects as they aren't worthy of being called bikes.

Now for the short version:

1) Don't buy any bike under £200 and preferably £300. A £100 bike won't be ridden much as it will be uncomfortable, it will cost you a lot more in servicing and repairs (and I've seen this cost as much as the bike), and it won't last long. It just isn't possible to make a good bike for £100, supermarkets do because they don't give a t0ss and they hope it will be ridden once and abandoned...it's the same as selling a tin of beans to them.

2) Buy from a decent bike shop...ask friends who cycle for their opinions. If you buy a bike from a supermarket you will have to build it yourself. If you buy it from a bike shop they will assemble it for free! Trust me, an Ikea flat pack is a walk in the park compared to setting up the gears and brakes on a bike, especially as you really need a workstand and tools. A bike shop will also give it a first service for free and be on hand to sort out any warranty issues or general niggles. Supermarkets won't have the first idea about resolving a problem.

3) A bike shop will discuss your needs and also get the right size of bike for you. Any accessories you require will be fitted free before you take it away. If you buy a supermarket bike chances are it won't fit and won't be the best model for your requirements.

Basically you get so much free advice and servicing from a good bike shop and if you pay a sensible amount the bike will last 10 times longer. Supermarket bikes aren't money saving in any way.

DecoSparkle

While I see your overall point about longevity, what do you advise those of us who could do with a leisure bike (maybe use once a week) but don't have £300 lying around doing nothing?!

nuttywoman

I don`t need a all singing bike, its for my son to go to work & back on so don`t want to spend too much on one, cos i`ve not got the cash. thanks.

StumpyPumpy

DecoSparkle wrote: »

While I see your overall point about longevity, what do you advise those of us who could do with a leisure bike (maybe use once a week) but don't have £300 lying around doing nothing?!

eBay.
Seriously. There are some real bike bargains to be had there if you are not hung up on buying new and can deal with all the caveat emptors that apply to eBay generally. I bought a Ridgeback last year from eBay and am very happy with it. It was old but little used and I rode it all last summer and through the autumn (not winter - I am a fair weather cyclist:o) with no problems. Best of all it cost me a grand total of £16.:T

HTH

SP

paulwf

DecoSparkle wrote: »

While I see your overall point about longevity, what do you advise those of us who could do with a leisure bike (maybe use once a week) but don't have £300 lying around doing nothing?!

I fully understand what you're saying. Here's some ideas that I hope may help...

- some areas have charities that take in old bikes, service them and sell them cheaply to those on low income. These charities are amazing as they teach a skill (sometimes to those with learning difficulties) and help people who most need it get a cheap form of transport. There isn't any nationwide scheme so check in your local area.

- a lot of employers are now doing Bike To Work schemes. This is a government scheme to allow you to get a bike paid from your gross wages, i.e. you get the income tax advantage. The bike and accessories can be valued up to £1,000. The value of this depends on your income tax bracket, if you buy a £1,000 bike and you pay 40% tax you save a few hundred but basically anyone over the tax threshold benefits a bit.

- ask around friends and family, most bikes are purchased with good intentions of keeping fit then are abandoned in the shed. You should be able to work out a good deal.

- IMHO the best option is to ask around at decent bike shops to let you know when they get anything second hand. As above most bikes end up sitting in sheds so if a bike shop takes it in they will service it, they have to make sure it is 100% safe before they sell it, and generally there will be some sort of guarantee even if just for a couple of months so anything obviously wrong will get rectified. I used to sell some really good bargains to customers, a quality bike that is sold second hand will be far far better than a new supermarket bike.

- Ebay is very much "buyer beware". I have had customers bring in unbelievable bargains. Others have been left with a repair bill for more than they paid for the bike. Unless you know what you are doing with bikes I would steer well clear of Ebay. Bear in mind that if a couple of parts need replacing and the bike needs a general service you could end up with a repair bill of £100. If you do go down the Ebay route at least get a cycling friend involved as most descriptions are completely inaccurate...some probably not intentionally but you may end up with something very different to what you thought you were getting.

If you have a bike shop with a decent reputation in the area have a chat with them first, there's nothing to lose if you then decide to go down another route.

flea72

nuttywoman wrote: »

I don`t need a all singing bike, its for my son to go to work & back on so don`t want to spend too much on one, cos i`ve not got the cash. thanks.

honestly, it is a false economy to buy a cheap bike - there are so many factors when choosing a bike, that you cant just go into a shop and walk off with a one size fits all bike

the riders height and weight will have a bearing on what size and construction to go for, the terrain they will be riding should also be a big consideration - riding a mountain bike with big knobbly tyres on roads, is so draining - by the time he gets to work, he'll have little energy left to do his job (and if the bike doesnt have a decent mudguard, a nice skid mark up his trousers too)

spend £80 now on a bike from Asda, and within 6m you will be buying another one - because the components used are so cheap. ok if its a short term plan to bike to work for a few months, but if its gonna be his mode of transport for the foreseeable future, then its worth investing in something a bit better

F

nuttywoman

Thanks for replies everyone, thinking of it i might take paulwf`s advice and call in at local bike shop to see about a 2nd hand one. Thanks