Advice for buying a second hand bike?

Doodlebug113

Hi, newbie here :cool:

I really want to buy a bike, preferably a second hand one, and really don't know where to start. How can I be sure I'm gettign somethign decent that won't break on me loads or cause me loads of probelms?

I live in Bristol and it's really hilly so i think i will need a mountain bike with a good range of gears, but other than that I'm not sure where to start! Any tips?

Thanks!

Strider590

Bristol is one the biggest hotspot's for bike theft, so budget well for security.

jools182

buy mine, £400

TheMiner

Doodlebug113 wrote: »

Hi, newbie here :cool:

I really want to buy a bike, preferably a second hand one, and really don't know where to start. How can I be sure I'm gettign somethign decent that won't break on me loads or cause me loads of probelms?

I live in Bristol and it's really hilly so i think i will need a mountain bike with a good range of gears, but other than that I'm not sure where to start! Any tips?

Thanks!

Ebay might be your friend. Not really clued up on mountain bikes (more of a race biker myself), but unless you are planning off-roading then you probably dont need an all singing/dancing one with suspension and the like.

freakybacon

Ah, you may be better off looking on bikeradar forums. You don't state your budget- you may find that you can afford new.

uk-tyler

you could try the Bristol bike jumble, a monthly sale by private sellers. Mostly bits rather than full bikes, but you may find a full bike there.
Lots of knowledgeable folk down there that are not likely to try and rip you off. You could just go and ask for advice, people will be glad to help.
http://www.betterbybike.info/bristol-bike-jumble

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

You don't need a mountain bike for hills, mountain bikes weigh more than road or hybrids.

What is your budget? Total.

Doodlebug113

Thanks everyone!

I guess my budget is about £100 for the bike, then that gives me extra money for the helmet, locks etc.

Am I being unrealistic or should that be enough?

The bike jumble looks great, thanks a lot tyler

thelawnet

Doodlebug113 wrote: »

Hi, newbie here :cool:

I really want to buy a bike, preferably a second hand one, and really don't know where to start. How can I be sure I'm gettign somethign decent that won't break on me loads or cause me loads of probelms?

I live in Bristol and it's really hilly so i think i will need a mountain bike with a good range of gears, but other than that I'm not sure where to start! Any tips?

Find a new bike that you like, then look for a second-hand one on ebay.

Try and get one a little way up the range, because for cheaper bikes the cost of replacing worn out gears etc. will be more than the bike is worth.

Xmucane

If you want to buy a bike for commuting you will need something of good quality as there are a lot of rather flimsy bikes about - the crank and gears wear out all too quickly. Go for something with a cassette type gear if you can. I managed to get a Specialized second hand for £40 and it lasted for 3,500 miles before wearing out. Good luck.

charlea

also if your working look at the cycle to work scheme not sure how it works but might be worth if for you

i live in bristol in a very hilly area as well and in the past 3 years my son who is a keen bike rider has had two bike knicked ( one from school and one from outside mcdonalds in town in august this year and i have had my bike stolen from outside my house all were locked up with kryptonite locks ect luckily we had insurance for all bikes and got paid out quickly

if your budget is 100 then i would look in trade it and on gumtree
my son has a racing bike some fancy thing that is really lightweight and paid over 600 pounds for it from evans in broadmead
i have a hybrid specialised vienna road/mountain bike which i paid 300 pounds again from evans
hybrid type bike are good as they are a cross between a road bike and a mountain bike so you get the best of both



If you dont know much about bikes i reccomend going into a few shops like evans in the city center and zero in bedminster and the one at the bottom of park st See what types of bike you want and what you want it for ect
tell the guys what you want it for and make a note of what they tell you then go and see if you can get one secondhand
trade it is good just look on line they often have lots of specialised mountain bikes and rd bikes in there going cheap
there are loads of bike shops in bristol lot of big chains and lots of small independents as well

dont forget to get a good lock dont by a crap one from argos or something like that bike theft is terrible in bristol
get one thats good and strong generally certain ones are guarantted for insurance purpose ect but keep the reciepts for proof that youhave the lock and take photos of the bike as well for insurance pupose if you insure it

Doodlebug113 wrote: »

Hi, newbie here :cool:

I really want to buy a bike, preferably a second hand one, and really don't know where to start. How can I be sure I'm gettign somethign decent that won't break on me loads or cause me loads of probelms?

I live in Bristol and it's really hilly so i think i will need a mountain bike with a good range of gears, but other than that I'm not sure where to start! Any tips?

Thanks!