stalagmike
Guest
- Location
- Milton Keynes
Looking for a few makes/models of decent beater bike I could look out for 2nd hand for very little money? Something that can be maintained rather than a BSO? The type of riding I would describe as 'pootling'.
decent beater
- Thread starter stalagmike
- Start date
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stalagmike
Guest
- Location
- Milton Keynes
Yes. Have heard them mentioned. Anybody got one? Can they be worked on to keep them running sweetly..?
biggs682
Itching to get back on my bike's
- Location
- Northamptonshire
you want a good old 70 / 80's road bike ideal for pootling
stalagmike
Guest
- Location
- Milton Keynes
Indeed. But they are not that cheap anymore now the hipsters are involved.
U
User32269
Guest
Raleigh Pioneer. Still cheep. Bombproof. Not that appealing to thieves. Can be ridden off road. Will take any old parts you have in the shed.
For a pootling beater, I'd say a 70s/80s/90s steel bike from almost any reputable maker (ideally a Reynolds 531 one). The famous auction site has many, often at very low prices - I've bought two seriously nice 531 frames over the past six months for less than the price of a couple of top-end spokes, and I've seen many decent whole bikes selling for silly money.
You'll almost certainly have to do a basic service at least - new cables, brake blocks, tubes (and maybe tyres), lubrication, probably some bearings, possibly chain. But the bits you'd need to get are also abundant on that same auction site.
And you'll end up with a bike made from the most resilient and long-lasting frame material ever invented, designed to last forever (with appropriate maintenance) and not just until next year's model comes around.
Alan
You'll almost certainly have to do a basic service at least - new cables, brake blocks, tubes (and maybe tyres), lubrication, probably some bearings, possibly chain. But the bits you'd need to get are also abundant on that same auction site.
And you'll end up with a bike made from the most resilient and long-lasting frame material ever invented, designed to last forever (with appropriate maintenance) and not just until next year's model comes around.
Alan
stalagmike
Guest
- Location
- Milton Keynes
U
User32269
Guest
Could become a bit of a money pit? If you don't have parts already it's easy to spend far too much. Obviously, not speaking from experience myself
Well, after buying a Raleigh Royal touring frame (one with cantilever brake bosses) last year for £45, it cost me around £200 for the parts needed to build it up (at famous auction site prices), and I reckon that's a great overall price for what I now have. OK, I added another £100 for a Brooks saddle, but that was a luxuryCould become a bit of a money pit? If you don't have parts already it's easy to spend far too much. Obviously, not speaking from experience myself
Alan
NorthernDave
Never used Über Member
- Location
- The real Northern Powerhouse
Mrs ND has a Subway One and it's a cracking bike for the money, even better if you can find a lightly used pre-owned bargain.
stalagmike
Guest
- Location
- Milton Keynes
That's an interesting find. A bit far from me but good to know. I should have known decathlon would do something along the right lines. My training bike is a Triban.
stalagmike
Guest
- Location
- Milton Keynes
Thanks for the warning. I have no parts at all. I am a bit of a noob to this game.Could become a bit of a money pit? If you don't have parts already it's easy to spend far too much. Obviously, not speaking from experience myself
