Advice for buying a second hand bike?

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

Doodlebug113 wrote: »

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

You want a bog-standard hybrid/commuter, flat handlebars, absolutely no suspension, normal commuting tyres.

You need lights far more than you need a helmet.

Doodlebug113

Thank you everyone, that's really helpful. Going to go ask around some cycle shops this weekend!

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

For lights, rear:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=56546

Front:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1200-Lumens-SSC-P7-4LED-Torch-Bicycle-HeadLamp-Light-/270648443319?pt=UK_SportsLeisure_Cycling_Bike_Lights&hash=item3f03e781b7#ht_3152wt_1139

The rear light will blind you, its amazing. No motorist will ever miss you, not even during the day. The front light is almost as powerful as a car headlamp.

Don't scrimp on safety, if its a helmet vs lights, go for the lights. Far more important.

Mids_Costcutter

If buying a second-hand bike, unless you're confident of being able to spot any crash damage or other more major problems such as a worn bottom bracket when buying from newspaper classifieds, ebay etc. then I'd recommend going to a good bike shop that sells second-hand machines. There you can be sure that a bike has been thoroughly inspected and serviced before it's sold.