New or second-hand bike, or rental scheme?

Amber_Sunshine

I live in a big city, and am thinking of getting a bike for getting around town. We do have a bike rental scheme (at €35 pa), although the bikes are incredibly uncomfortable! The advantage of using the scheme is that bike theft is endemic here.

If I did buy one, however, would it be better to go for a new one on the grounds that it will be in perfect condition and definitely not stolen? I've seen one for €90, whereas second-hand models can easily be €50 (and possibly nicked). Or should I just buy the cheapest second-hand one I can find, in case of theft? Or just go for the rental scheme and grin and bear the bone-rattling ride?

Amber_Sunshine

Any opinions? Thanks!

Yorkie1

I'd have thought that the newer and shinier it is, the more attractive it is to thieves. If you buy your own bike then replace the removable seat / wheels with proper lockable bolts, and spend a decent amount on two bike locks.

None of us can tell you whether your comfort levels will tolerate the rented scheme.

Amber_Sunshine

Yorkie1 wrote: »

I'd have thought that the newer and shinier it is, the more attractive it is to thieves.

That's a reasonable assumption, although a friend had his battered old bike stolen recently - can't have been worth anything to anyone ...

Cool_Mint

€35 per annum?! Surely you mean per week or per month? If it was that cheap I'd always rent.

Your best bet if you live in a place where bicycle theft is such a serious problem is to buy a lightly-used but good quality secondhand bike and slap-brush some matt-white or matt-black paint over the frame & forks so it looks too ugly to be worth stealing. Very cheap new bikes tend to be inferior quality so you are better off spending around £100 on a bike that is maybe two or three years old but still free from rust. tip: never buy a bike that isn't stored in a shed or garage.

discplayer

If the OP means a rental scheme like in London, Paris or Montreal then it may be €35/yr. If you choose to pay annually for using the London scheme it is £45.

Kilty_2

discplayer wrote: »

If the OP means a rental scheme like in London, Paris or Montreal then it may be €35/yr. If you choose to pay annually for using the London scheme it is £45.

How often can you use it and is it covered against theft with no excess for £45/year? :eek:

Sounds like what we need in more places to get people out of cars.

discplayer

Kilty wrote: »

How often can you use it and is it covered against theft with no excess for £45/year? :eek:

Sounds like what we need in more places to get people out of cars.

It's based on very short term rental. For your £45 you can rent them as many times as you like for up to 30mins for no extra cost. It's £1 for a bit longer but quickly gets pricey for longer still. There are loads of places to collect and drop off in central London. Only central London though, so most of the time 30mins will be fine.

I just looked up theft. 'Non-return' is £300.

In central London however, my guess is it takes people off buses and the tube, and maybe their own bikes if they previously took folders on trains or kept a bike locked at a station.

Derivative

Not to seem snobbish, but a bike sub £100 new isn't going to get you anywhere for long. Monkey metal will fall apart, if you don't get sick of it weighing 15 kilos.

I've had an assortment of crap bikes over the years from Argos and the rest and perservered, only recently got myself a decent road bike and the difference is night and day.

I guess if bike theft is common you might have to put up with it. Heard of some people getting concessions for decent bikes though (taking them inside supermarkets and asking staff to keep an eye on it, f ex)