Advice on buying a second hand bike (or shall I just buy a new one)

[Rivriv]

I am looking to buy my first road bike. Currently at uni so only looking for something around the £250 - £300 mark to tide me over the year, to and from work/uni, before upgrading in a year or 2. I have eyed up the Triban 3 B'Twin and Carrera TDF buy being down in lonely old Plymouth there is no Decathlon near me (would like to try before I buy) and Halfords seems a bit naff. Therefore... I am thinking maybe second hand...
However... There don't seem to be many going around on Gumtree or eBay near me. So can anyone give me any advice on other places to look? And what shall I look for? Am I better off just buying one new? Cheers for any help you can offer!

 

[Norm]

I'd say that either of those would make a good new purchase, although you are right in highlighting the lack of Decathalon's and Halfords' variable quality.

Alternative sources, depending on your ability to do up / fix up bikes, you could try your local paper's free ads, which might turn up a gem or two amongst the full-sus supermarket specials, or a local car boot sale or garage sale, details of which you should also be able to find in your local paper whilst you are looking through the ads.

 

[Robwiz]

The advantage of buying a Triban 3 or Carrera TdF is that everything on the bike will be new and (should be) set up well. You have a warranty to fall back on.

Buying used can be a risk if you don't know what you are looking for – if you're buying a lower spec bike there's a riks it has been abused/neglected and higher end bikes have pricey spares.. Worn bearings, bent mech hangers, etc. can screw up the bike's performance and be expensive to repair/replace. If buying used, always ask to see the original purchase receipt.

 

[Rivriv]

Yeah, that's what I was thinking, I think I'll have a look at the forums etc. But I think I'll feel more confident buying new. However, I would rather deal with decathlon than Halfords and personally prefer the look and sound of the Triban, but is it a risk to buy the Triban without being able to try it?

 

[vickster]

Are there even many Triban's left now? Would be the better choice

 

[Rivriv]

Yeah, stock does seem low. May phone them up and see when they get stock in. Don't suppose anyone has an idea on this? I have just realised I can get 10% off in Halfords though. So if Decathlon won't have stock in a while I think the money I save could be a sweetener.

 

[Rodderstrotter]

No triban 3's in Nottingham last week, and looking on the net, there's none anywhere

 

[PaulSecteur]

They always seem piled up in Wednesbury Decathlon.

 

[defy-one]

My next door neighbour bouggt the halfords carrera tdf.
2 things i have noticed on our ride yesterday ..... His doesn't have a carbon front fork, so heavier steering.
Secondly his freewheel is so noisy compared to the silence of the Triban.

Triban 3 is a much better bike than the tdf imo

 

[Rivriv]

I think I want the Triban. I have emailed Decathlon, so hopefully they can help me. What about the Raleigh Airlite 100? Bike Radar has good reviews and I think I have found it for around my budget. Does anyone know much about them?

 

[biggs682]

i have sold quite a few bikes into uni towns Cambridge and Oxford and so far not one of them has been over the £130 area as they didnt want expensive bikes stolen from around the uni , so i would advise 2nd hand .

 

[Peteaud]

2nd hand bikes are silly money at the moment as everyone wants one.

The T3 was available from Reading the other week, although that a big trip for you.

Also for a few quid more Giant Defy 5 are about.

 

[vickster]

If you buy a shiny Triban to lock at a uni etc, buy a proper D lock like an Abus Granit X or Kryptonite New York, add £70 to your budget for either (and a cable or chain for the other wheel too)

 

[Rivriv]

Yeah, lock and other accessories were next on the agenda. Think there are a fair few scally wags around here, so I'll be sure to get a good lock! Cheers for the advice!

 

[Robwiz]

If looking for a cheap, used bike, so many people have unwanted/unloved old bikes in their garages/sheds that it's worth putting a wanted ad in a shop window or on a local freecycle forum. There's a lot to be said for having the grungiest bike in the cycle rack at uni!