Get existing bike fixed or buy a new one

DanielDeronda

I currently have a Boardman hybrid bike that I've not used for ages.

The bike seems to be in reasonable condition but don't know what work it needs to have done for it to be road worthy. I have existing locks & clothing.

Would you advise I get my existing bike serviced & fixed or trade it in & get a new bike?

I'd be using the bike for leisure purposes but also for a commute from Paddington to Covent Garden. Is a hybrid still my best option. Budget is around £600 for a new bike 

Can't remember when I bought my existing bike but was several yrs ago 

Nebulous2

We can't tell what condition it is in, nor how much work it will need, but I had an older bike I used regularly for commuting, and would not have bought a new bike for that purpose. 

Several reasons for that - risk of theft, being exposed to the elements repeatedly, wear and tear on components. 

Get it checked, brought up to usable condition, possible new chain and cables, then look after it by regularly cleaning and oiling it and keeping the tyres correctly inflated. 

Lorian

Post a few photos but boardman bikes tend to have reasonable quality components and could be quite serviceable as long as it's not been left outside while not in use 

Keep_pedalling

I would take a third option, rather than spend money on a service or a new bike, take a bicycle maintenance training course and buy yourself a set of tools that will enable you to do all your own basic maintenance. That investment will last you a lifetime and save you a lot of money over that time. 

https://www.wiggle.com/p/lifeline-bike-tool-kit-18-piece

There are also plenty of YouTube videos on how to service and repair your bike. 

bouicca21

Boardman is a good brand so why not just take it to a local bike shop and get a quote?  I’d certainly be wary of leaving a shiny new bike in Covent Garden.

DanielDeronda

bouicca21 said:

Boardman is a good brand so why not just take it to a local bike shop and get a quote?  I’d certainly be wary of leaving a shiny new bike in Covent Garden.

It would be stored at a secure location at the office I work at just off The Strand 

I've got a couple of big brand cycle retailers in Reading & will try & find an independent bike shop or 2.to compare prices.

MilesT6060842

Check the tyres and brake blocks for perishing as well as reviewing chain and cables.

Distinctly possible that the components on the old bike would be significantly better than a new bike at your proposed price point, there has been a significant monopolisation in the cycle parts industry leading to higher pricing and lower quality. 

(for more on this concern read some of the articles from this search https://duckduckgo.com/?q=matt+stoller+monopoly+in+bicycle+parts&ia=web  especially the Matt Stoller article and the Cycling independent article)

Review your locks for vulnerabilities (see if any bypasses have been published on the internet esp. YouTube) and consider replacing with better/more, and at home if you can't store inside then make sure you have a "hard point" to chain to (installing a specialist hard point into a solid wall if needed) and consider having heavy duty locks and chains for use only at home, especially if you will be away for extended periods and can't bring the bike in.

MacPingu1986

Definitely recommend checking out costs for a service from a local bike shop. A decent service will pretty much return the bike to "as new" condition.

+ boardman hybrids are good bikes!

thelawnet

what's the specific bike? Bike shops are quite good at charging an arm and a leg by replacing everything, but it depends hugely on where you go.

Paddington to Covent Garden is hardly much of a commute.

Generally you can expect to replace derailleur cables reasonably often. If the brakes are hydraulic they are probably ok, but you can look at the brake pads.

I wouldn't be surprised at all if the bike rides perfectly after a bit of adjustment, some oil and pumping up the tyres. For the adjustment you just need a philips screw driver and an allen key, the oil is about £3, and the pump about £10.

OTOH you can be looking at a new chain, new cassette, etc., it's impossible to say.

A new chain is about £15, a cassette about £30. The cassette is unlikely to need replacement if the chain doesn't.

You can buy a chain checking tool on ebay for about £3.

If you take a bike into a particularly greedy bike shop they can charge you hundreds in unnecessary servicing. Decathlon probably don't service it the best, but they are likely to be cheaper than Halfords, which is very greedy.

bouicca21

Independent bike shop all the way! Develop a relationship.  Paddington to Covent garden is easy, but has OP checked whether it is equally easy to book a bike space on a Reading to London train?  

DanielDeronda

bouicca21 said:

Independent bike shop all the way! Develop a relationship.  Paddington to Covent garden is easy, but has OP checked whether it is equally easy to book a bike space on a Reading to London train?  

https://www.gwr.com/travelling-with-us/on-our-trains/bringing-your-bike

Compulsory bike reservation on rush hour peak time services to/from Paddington.

The commute is only one option to use the bike.