Getting a new bike
bp5678
Forumite 413 Posts
I'm in a major dilemma.
I'm doing a last minute cycle trip this August with a friend, starting off in Dubrovnik (Croatia) and then going to Montenegro and Bosnia. I'll be living in my tent and therefore the bike will carry this, along with panniers, sleeping bag, clothes, and everything else I need to live. It'll be hot and hilly and a mix of on road and off (although mainly on road). Cycling about 100km a day on average.
I've not got a bike yet and running out of time. I have 4 options:
Option 1: Buy new bike through Cycle to Work scheme
This bike: https://www.evanscycles.com/pinnacle-dacite-1-2018-touring-bike-EV318241
My company are signed up to the Cycle to Work scheme so the cost of the bike is paid in installments over a year. So for numbers sake lets say I pay back £100 a month for 12 months. The £100 is deducted from my monthly salary at work, but the advantage of this is that I end up paying less income tax since I'll effectively be earning less for a year.
Because I am signed up to that scheme with the bike company Evans, I'll have to get a bike from Evans' website: https://www.evanscycles.com/
I've been into their shop and they recommended the bike I posted above. It's obviously expensive (£950) although I do get it a bit cheaper than the price it shows due to the Cycle to Work scheme. However my flights don't have hold luggage so I'll have to pay £150 to get it sent over (cost is for there and back) and on top of this I'll have to pay the cost of the bike.
Option 2: Borrow my friend's bike
Obviously this wouldn't cost me apart from the cost of sending it on the plane as i've not paid for baggage (£150). The problem with this is the bike probably wouldn't fit me. I can adjust handlebars and saddle but if the actual bike frame itself is too small it could cause me injuries, make me tire quicker and cause aches and pains on the trip.
Option 3: Bike hire/rent a bike
I could rent a bike in Dubrovnik or anywhere on my cycling route early on. In fact I could rent from anywhere in Croatia even if it's far from Dubrovnik as they can often drive the bike down to me in Dubrovnik and I pay a delivery fee. Bike hire will cost about 400-600 euros (£360-£540). Advantage is I don't need to pay shipping/aeroplane luggage fee of £150. The disadvantage is that so much could go wrong: the bike hire person may not turn up at the airport, the bike is the wrong one, it doesn't fit me, the panniers don't fit, it's a scam, etc etc (there could be a million scenarios I haven't predicted).
Option 4A: Buy second hand
If I buy second hand I'd still need to send over to Dubrovnik so would have to pay aeroplane baggage fee. Chance that it could be a faulty/dodgy bike from Ebay and I can't get my money back. Or I get the bike online, try it and decide it's not for me and I can't get a refund. But the advantage is bikes lose their value a lot when second hand meaning I could get a cheap one that's still good.
4B: Probably unrealistic but I could try buy a bike off Croatian Ebay so I don't have to pay baggage fee (and get this sent to a hotel I could stay in for one night). Once I've bought the bike I put it on Ebay immediately so I could sell it hopefully before I fly home and not pay luggage fee for way back again (or try sell it to a Croatian bike store, Facebook marketplace etc).
---
Any advice would be great because the clock is ticking! Thanks.
--
Edit/Update:
I've decided it's silly to buy a bike and I will rent. I've enquired with rental companies and explained I'm carrying lots of bags/weight so the bike would need to be suitable and, I've been recommended the following bikes from different companies. Which do you think would be best/most suitable as I'm not an expert and not 100% sure what things I should be looking for:
Semi-professional mountain bike cube: https://www.cube.eu/en/2018/bikes/mountainbike/hardtail/aim/cube-aim-race-greynblue-2018/
Diamant bike: https://www.3etravel.me/rentals/
Musing hybrid: http://www.meridienten.com/page/hybrid-bike-rentals/26
Cube SL Road: https://www.bikingcroatia.com/bike-rental
---
BUY SECOND HAND (unlikely option but won't rule it out)
https://www.njuskalo.hr/gradski-bicikli/univega-terreno-100-velicina-l-oglas-25940809
Dawes galaxy tour https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dawes-Galaxy-Tour-1999-touring-bike/202344671442?hash=item2f1caea8d2:g:rJAAAOSw95lbJ-sC
FURTHER UPDATE
I'm now trying to decide between the 3e Travel company (Diamant bike) or the Meridien company Hybrid bike. Which would you recommend I go for? I've been emailing both of them and received further info (below). Hopefully this extra information will make it easier to make a more informed decision. Based on the original post and information I've posted below, which would you go for?
3e Travel company - Diamant bike
Here a link to the current Diamant model, where you can see the components. Ours are 3 years old. Remark: the Gents L does not have a suspension fork. These are very reliable bicycles, stabile and have a comfortable geometry and are fully equipped with mudguards and lightening. Here is a link to it: https://www.diamantrad.com/bikes/ubari-komfort-damen-wiege/
Alternatively we have Hybrid bikes, TREK FX 3, 2018. The do not have mudguards. They have a rack with a max. load of 25 kg. Here the link to these: https://www.3etravel.me/rentals/touring-bike/
If you like to be most flexible in terms of road surface we recommend our Specialzed Rockhopper 29er. They can be equipped with a a rack. Here is a link: https://www.3etravel.me/rentals/mountain-bike/
Along the bike we provide spare innertubes, pumps, repair kit, helmet, flat or cage pedals !!!8211; of course if you wish you can take your own and we will mount them on the spot.
We do not have a bike insurance, simply because it is not available in Montenegro. Therefore we ask to keep an eye on them and overnight to keep them in a locked space.
Meridien - Musing hybird:
Bike weight is approximately 11 kg.
Unfortunately our bikes don't have mudguards.
We can provide panniers at extra charge of 3,00 EUR per day.
We can do bike fitting for you when we deliver the bike of course.
The bike is equipped with spare tube, patch kit, tire levers, pump, rear rack, bottle holders, cycle computer and lock. Please note, helmets are not included in price.
In front we have 3 chainrings (28, 38, 48) and rear there are 9 gears (34, 11).
The contract is in English and you can find it attached.
We do not provide repair services on the road. Each bike we rent is checked and serviced every time before it is handed to the client.
Bikes are not insured against theft or damage. It is possible to buy insurance in the amount of EUR 20,00 per bike and it covers 100% of cost of repairs in the case of minor damage to bike or damage or loss of accessories
I'm doing a last minute cycle trip this August with a friend, starting off in Dubrovnik (Croatia) and then going to Montenegro and Bosnia. I'll be living in my tent and therefore the bike will carry this, along with panniers, sleeping bag, clothes, and everything else I need to live. It'll be hot and hilly and a mix of on road and off (although mainly on road). Cycling about 100km a day on average.
I've not got a bike yet and running out of time. I have 4 options:
Option 1: Buy new bike through Cycle to Work scheme
This bike: https://www.evanscycles.com/pinnacle-dacite-1-2018-touring-bike-EV318241
My company are signed up to the Cycle to Work scheme so the cost of the bike is paid in installments over a year. So for numbers sake lets say I pay back £100 a month for 12 months. The £100 is deducted from my monthly salary at work, but the advantage of this is that I end up paying less income tax since I'll effectively be earning less for a year.
Because I am signed up to that scheme with the bike company Evans, I'll have to get a bike from Evans' website: https://www.evanscycles.com/
I've been into their shop and they recommended the bike I posted above. It's obviously expensive (£950) although I do get it a bit cheaper than the price it shows due to the Cycle to Work scheme. However my flights don't have hold luggage so I'll have to pay £150 to get it sent over (cost is for there and back) and on top of this I'll have to pay the cost of the bike.
Option 2: Borrow my friend's bike
Obviously this wouldn't cost me apart from the cost of sending it on the plane as i've not paid for baggage (£150). The problem with this is the bike probably wouldn't fit me. I can adjust handlebars and saddle but if the actual bike frame itself is too small it could cause me injuries, make me tire quicker and cause aches and pains on the trip.
Option 3: Bike hire/rent a bike
I could rent a bike in Dubrovnik or anywhere on my cycling route early on. In fact I could rent from anywhere in Croatia even if it's far from Dubrovnik as they can often drive the bike down to me in Dubrovnik and I pay a delivery fee. Bike hire will cost about 400-600 euros (£360-£540). Advantage is I don't need to pay shipping/aeroplane luggage fee of £150. The disadvantage is that so much could go wrong: the bike hire person may not turn up at the airport, the bike is the wrong one, it doesn't fit me, the panniers don't fit, it's a scam, etc etc (there could be a million scenarios I haven't predicted).
Option 4A: Buy second hand
If I buy second hand I'd still need to send over to Dubrovnik so would have to pay aeroplane baggage fee. Chance that it could be a faulty/dodgy bike from Ebay and I can't get my money back. Or I get the bike online, try it and decide it's not for me and I can't get a refund. But the advantage is bikes lose their value a lot when second hand meaning I could get a cheap one that's still good.
4B: Probably unrealistic but I could try buy a bike off Croatian Ebay so I don't have to pay baggage fee (and get this sent to a hotel I could stay in for one night). Once I've bought the bike I put it on Ebay immediately so I could sell it hopefully before I fly home and not pay luggage fee for way back again (or try sell it to a Croatian bike store, Facebook marketplace etc).
---
Any advice would be great because the clock is ticking! Thanks.
--
Edit/Update:
I've decided it's silly to buy a bike and I will rent. I've enquired with rental companies and explained I'm carrying lots of bags/weight so the bike would need to be suitable and, I've been recommended the following bikes from different companies. Which do you think would be best/most suitable as I'm not an expert and not 100% sure what things I should be looking for:
Semi-professional mountain bike cube: https://www.cube.eu/en/2018/bikes/mountainbike/hardtail/aim/cube-aim-race-greynblue-2018/
Diamant bike: https://www.3etravel.me/rentals/
Musing hybrid: http://www.meridienten.com/page/hybrid-bike-rentals/26
Cube SL Road: https://www.bikingcroatia.com/bike-rental
---
BUY SECOND HAND (unlikely option but won't rule it out)
https://www.njuskalo.hr/gradski-bicikli/univega-terreno-100-velicina-l-oglas-25940809
Dawes galaxy tour https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dawes-Galaxy-Tour-1999-touring-bike/202344671442?hash=item2f1caea8d2:g:rJAAAOSw95lbJ-sC
FURTHER UPDATE
I'm now trying to decide between the 3e Travel company (Diamant bike) or the Meridien company Hybrid bike. Which would you recommend I go for? I've been emailing both of them and received further info (below). Hopefully this extra information will make it easier to make a more informed decision. Based on the original post and information I've posted below, which would you go for?
3e Travel company - Diamant bike
Here a link to the current Diamant model, where you can see the components. Ours are 3 years old. Remark: the Gents L does not have a suspension fork. These are very reliable bicycles, stabile and have a comfortable geometry and are fully equipped with mudguards and lightening. Here is a link to it: https://www.diamantrad.com/bikes/ubari-komfort-damen-wiege/
Alternatively we have Hybrid bikes, TREK FX 3, 2018. The do not have mudguards. They have a rack with a max. load of 25 kg. Here the link to these: https://www.3etravel.me/rentals/touring-bike/
If you like to be most flexible in terms of road surface we recommend our Specialzed Rockhopper 29er. They can be equipped with a a rack. Here is a link: https://www.3etravel.me/rentals/mountain-bike/
Along the bike we provide spare innertubes, pumps, repair kit, helmet, flat or cage pedals !!!8211; of course if you wish you can take your own and we will mount them on the spot.
We do not have a bike insurance, simply because it is not available in Montenegro. Therefore we ask to keep an eye on them and overnight to keep them in a locked space.
Meridien - Musing hybird:
Bike weight is approximately 11 kg.
Unfortunately our bikes don't have mudguards.
We can provide panniers at extra charge of 3,00 EUR per day.
We can do bike fitting for you when we deliver the bike of course.
The bike is equipped with spare tube, patch kit, tire levers, pump, rear rack, bottle holders, cycle computer and lock. Please note, helmets are not included in price.
In front we have 3 chainrings (28, 38, 48) and rear there are 9 gears (34, 11).
The contract is in English and you can find it attached.
We do not provide repair services on the road. Each bike we rent is checked and serviced every time before it is handed to the client.
Bikes are not insured against theft or damage. It is possible to buy insurance in the amount of EUR 20,00 per bike and it covers 100% of cost of repairs in the case of minor damage to bike or damage or loss of accessories
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Replies
Firstly to check if you get on with the bike and the saddle first, secondly to see where the heck you get specific pain when doing significant mileage.
The problem as you say with getting something whilst you are there is that if it isn't perfect then you potentially have no way of fixing it. Likewise with spare innertubes etc, you can take them with you if you already know the size that you will need.
Buy a second hand bike here after taking it for a test ride. Pay shipping one way only. Try to sell it before you return or donate it to charity.
One thing to be aware of with the Cycle To Work Scheme, there is a charge at the end of the loan scheme. It's described as "nominal" but is higher for bikes over £500. I looked into it earlier in the year but I work part time and don't pay much tax. I work for the NHS and got 10% off at Halfords and interest free credit. I couldn't get the discount and use the Cycle To Work Scheme so I was better off with the discount and interest free credit.
I got a bike from ebay for about 1/4 of its new price. Took me a little while to wait for one that (a) I liked and (b) was local, but I am very happy with the purchase and use it several times a week.
Yes there could be problems with a second hand bike, but equally there could be issues with a new bike that has not been put together correctly. The advantage of the second hand bike is that if you dont continue cycline upon return you can probably sell it for about what you paid for it.
Though the bike would be my last worry, if you dont have your own bike I am inclined to say you have not been doing much cycling. 100km is fine for the untrained on a one off cycle, doing this several days in a row might not be the wisest move unless you have been putting in the miles.
I personally wouldn't be considering doing that kind of mileage, day after day, unless it was on a bike with a geometry and setup that I was completely familiar with and one where have "hardened off" to the saddle etc. and undertook a fair few equivalent training rides.
If you buy a new bike it will settle in after a hundred miles or so, (as will you) so I would be planning to do these miles in the UK and then have it put through it's complementary adjustment by the bike shop to make sure that nothing "shakes out" while you are in the middle of nowhere. Ditto with a used bike. You may need to have it serviced or parts replaced and you won't be able to notice all the potential problems unless you have tried it out over a decent distance over different terrains. (For example if you have a worn rear cassette this may only be revealed by the chain slipping if you are climbing out of the saddle up a steep hill in that particular gear).
You say you are taking panniers, would you even be able to hire a bike out there with the correct pannier mounts on it? Do you still have to buy your panniers / mounts etc, or are you considering renting these too? Again, I would be wanting to be doing my test rides in the UK with the panniers fitted and loaded with an equivalent weight to get me used to the handling and different centre of gravity.
I agree with you that Croatian eBay sounds like a terrible idea. You would have no time to check or set up the bike, no guarantee any of your kit (or you) was compatible with the frame. Also, to the Croatian seller, the collection arrangements of shipping the bike to a non-registered PayPal address screams "charge-back scam" and could cause them to run a mile.
• The poor only have expenses.
• The middle class buy liabilities they think are assets.
Semi-professional mountain bike cube: https://www.cube.eu/en/2018/bikes/mountainbike/hardtail/aim/cube-aim-race-greynblue-2018/
Diamant bike: https://www.3etravel.me/rentals/
Musing hybrid: http://www.meridienten.com/page/hybrid-bike-rentals/26
Cube SL Road: https://www.bikingcroatia.com/bike-rental
---
BUY SECOND HAND (unlikely option but won't rule it out)
https://www.njuskalo.hr/gradski-bicikli/univega-terreno-100-velicina-l-oglas-25940809
Dawes galaxy tour https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dawes-Galaxy-Tour-1999-touring-bike/202344671442?hash=item2f1caea8d2:g:rJAAAOSw95lbJ-sC
Get the spec of the Diamant
The Meridienten one looks decent setup gears and tyres wise given mostly on road
Cube SL Road - will it take pannier etc? Gearing is more road specific but 34/32 will get you up most hills even with luggage though gears are a bit basic
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Thanks all for your help.
I'm now trying to decide between the 3e Travel company (Diamant bike) or the Meridien company Hybrid bike. Which would you recommend I go for? I've been emailing both of them and received further info (below). Hopefully this extra information will make it easier to make a more informed decision. Based on the original post and information I've posted below, which would you go for?
3e Travel company - Diamant bike
Here a link to the current Diamant model, where you can see the components. Ours are 3 years old. Remark: the Gents L does not have a suspension fork. These are very reliable bicycles, stabile and have a comfortable geometry and are fully equipped with mudguards and lightening. Here is a link to it: https://www.diamantrad.com/bikes/ubari-komfort-damen-wiege/
Alternatively we have Hybrid bikes, TREK FX 3, 2018. The do not have mudguards. They have a rack with a max. load of 25 kg. Here the link to these: https://www.3etravel.me/rentals/touring-bike/
If you like to be most flexible in terms of road surface we recommend our Specialzed Rockhopper 29er. They can be equipped with a a rack. Here is a link: https://www.3etravel.me/rentals/mountain-bike/
Along the bike we provide spare innertubes, pumps, repair kit, helmet, flat or cage pedals !!!8211; of course if you wish you can take your own and we will mount them on the spot.
We do not have a bike insurance, simply because it is not available in Montenegro. Therefore we ask to keep an eye on them and overnight to keep them in a locked space.
Meridien - Musing hybird:
Bike weight is approximately 11 kg.
Unfortunately our bikes don't have mudguards.
We can provide panniers at extra charge of 3,00 EUR per day.
We can do bike fitting for you when we deliver the bike of course.
The bike is equipped with spare tube, patch kit, tire levers, pump, rear rack, bottle holders, cycle computer and lock. Please note, helmets are not included in price.
In front we have 3 chainrings (28, 38, 48) and rear there are 9 gears (34, 11).
The contract is in English and you can find it attached.
We do not provide repair services on the road. Each bike we rent is checked and serviced every time before it is handed to the client.
Bikes are not insured against theft or damage. It is possible to buy insurance in the amount of EUR 20,00 per bike and it covers 100% of cost of repairs in the case of minor damage to bike or damage or loss of accessories