Buying a sub £200 touring bike

[Socoms]

Hey,

Know nothing about bikes but adamant on doing the cliche 'gap year' touring trip with a friend to Europe, was wondering if it was possible/likely to buy a working touring bike on eBay or somewhere for under £200 - preferably closer to £100!

I know when I say 'working' I'm guessing that's a tad vague... I've seen a few Raleigh Medale's like this one but have no clue if it's a good buy for the money. I have no idea what to look for and have random criteria like looking if the gears are rusty - for some reason I think that's particularly bad but I have no idea if it is?!

This eBay search shows my search criteria, I think I have the sizing right....

Anyway I suppose what I'm asking is, is it possible to buy a working touring bike for under £200 (maybe closer to £100) and what should I look out for in terms on pictures AND if I actually pick it up?

Sorry for being an amateur!
Thanks,
SC

 

[GrumpyGregry]

How tall are you? Where you based? I have something in the shed I want to move on cheap to a deserving user to make way for a new bike

(2008 EBC Revolution Country Explorer since you ask - a very capable aluminium framed disc braked tourer)

 

[Socoms]

Marvellous, I'm from Bedfordshire and about 6ft 1'', maybe slightly under - long legs though! Or so I'm told.

And would be interested depending on price and where you're based!

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Marvellous, I'm from Bedfordshire and about 6ft 1'', maybe slightly under - long legs though! Or so I'm told.

And would be interested depending on price and where you're based!

Horsham, West Sussex. Easy enough to get to from Beds, or vice versa, I think via Thameslink trains.

Here is a picture of it. I'm six foot two btw. The mudguards are off, and I've not fitted the replacements but they come with the bike. Last toured on it Glasgow - Carlisle May last year. Should have been doing Carlisle - sunderland on it this month but mates all dropped out so I've ordered a replacement tourer on bike2work. Oh, and no pedals, they are on something else in the fleet.

Sensible offer around £175 and it is yours. £175 bang on and I'll meet you at a mutually convenient railway station between here and there.

 

[Bodhbh]

I would suggest the OP bites GrumpyGregs hand off on this offer

 

[jefmcg]

Wish I was tall enough for that bike
:-)

 

[format]

I have a Specialised CrossSport with brand new wheels, puncture proof tires, new brake pads, new brake cables, new gear cables, new handlebars (trekking style bars) and new handlebar tape. Triple crankset too so smashing for hills...

Comes with bottle cage, pannier rack and home made handlebar bag

It's slightly over your budget but you could make me an offer. It's a cracking bike

http://www.cyclechat.net/threads/specialized-crosssport-touring-bike.156371/


edit - I am in Glasgow, though!

 

[Mark Grant]

I would suggest the OP bites GrumpyGregs hand off on this offer

+1

 

[TheDoctor]

Those EBC tourers always do well in reviews. I'd have it if:-
I didn't already have far too many bikes
It would fit me

 

[GrumpyGregry]

I owned 3 EBC own bikes in my time. the tourer was the first. and the best value.

 

[MarkF]

Can easily be done, although not often at the time you want! I got lucky twice. I bought a mint steel Dawes Horizon tourer from Ebay 4 years ago, I was the only bidder at £99! I didn't like it, I changed the tyres and put it back on Ebay where it fetched nearly £400. 2012 my tourer was stolen just prior to a 1000 mile tour, I bought a 6 week old Sirrus hybrid for £200, again from Ebay and immediately used it on the tour. Any decent hybrid will do.

However, right now, if I was you, I too would buy GrumpyGregory's bike, good price, ideal bike.

 

[biggs682]

@Socoms wander up to Wellingborough and sure i could sort an ideal bike out for you , no trouble at all

 

[Spoked Wheels]

@GrumpyGregry 2nd dibs. If socoms doesn't buy it then I'll take it.
My first step on touring, so far I have only talked about wanting to do it

 

[GrumpyGregry]

@GrumpyGregry 2nd dibs. If socoms doesn't buy it then I'll take it.
My first step on touring, so far I have only talked about wanting to do it

strictly speak that makes you 3rd dibs. I've had a pm from someone who wishes to remain anonymous.

 

[Socoms]

Horsham, West Sussex. Easy enough to get to from Beds, or vice versa, I think via Thameslink trains.

Here is a picture of it. I'm six foot two btw. The mudguards are off, and I've not fitted the replacements but they come with the bike. Last toured on it Glasgow - Carlisle May last year. Should have been doing Carlisle - sunderland on it this month but mates all dropped out so I've ordered a replacement tourer on bike2work. Oh, and no pedals, they are on something else in the fleet.

Sensible offer around £175 and it is yours. £175 bang on and I'll meet you at a mutually convenient railway station between here and there.

Sounds good! Pretty surprised by the response here, unfortunately 'format' I can't go as high as that but thanks for the offer.

GrumpyGregry, from your link you say it comes with no saddle as well - or is this not the case? Just because if I have to buy pedals + saddle I'm guessing that'll set me back a few more, it's also apparent that this is clearly a great deal you're offering me so I apologise for any ignorance!

I would be interested if the bike only needs pedals and it's good to go, and will be able to let you know if I will purchase in the next week (and if so I would need to collect before the 1st June) BUT if you're in a rush to sell it or someone else is in more need of it - please feel free to break the rule of 'dibs'

I don't want to be responsible for delaying your sale and someone else from receiving a great deal!