First Bike On A Budget

[WheelPixie]

Hello! Utter newbie here!

I need help on choosing a first bike. However, I have a problem. I need a 15" frame, as I tried a 16" frame in a bike shop after asking for advice and my toes touched the floor.........but the balls of my feet? Nope. The bike saddle would have made things painfully sore!

I was suggested a Hybrid bike, as I would like like a general out and about bike on pavements rather than being so dependent on public transport when i am not at college. I also hold a little stall selling homemade munchies at carboots once a month so ideally I would like to get a trailer in future to transport it all rather than relying on others to give me lifts.

I have been looking about secondhand sites since the prices of new bikes gives me heart failure!
I have tried gumtree, freecycle, decalthon, ebay with little luck.


Can you suggest anything to me? Any hidden gems of a website?

 

[vickster]

What's your budget?

How about something like this from Decathlon, bit of a quirky looking thing

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/original-300-bclip-hyb-bike-w-id_8302945.html

Or the next one up (comes in other colours too)

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/original-500-hybrid-bike-red-id_8313160.html

How tall are you? Not all 15"/16" frames will be the same, it depends on the style of bike and geometry. If the saddle is the right height, you should be on tip toes while seated if that, balls of feet only when astride the bike not sitting on it

 

[steveindenmark]

You need to be able to stand up flat footed while you are over the crossbar and have a small gap under you.

How much have you got to spend on a bike?

 

[WheelPixie]

I stand (in my barefeet) a gargantuan 149cm tall.
I have set a budget of £100, as I have not ridden a bike in a very long time!

 

[MartinQ]

I recently got a 2nd hand one on here for SWMBO for £100, but I don't think they come up that often. For that price, you can't be that choosy and the most important thing is to get a 2nd hand one in reasonable condition that won't need a visit to the LBS as soon as you get it, otherwise the costs mount up. If I was you I'd keep watch on fleabay and just look at bikes local to you (assuming you've got access to a friendly car driver). Post a few options here and ask a mate to give the bike a once over when you get it, if necessary.

 

[annedonnelly]

Look out for a local bike-recycling project. You'll be able to get a bargain there and they're not likely to sell you a load of rubbish. if you tell us what part of Scotland you're in someone might know one local to you.

 

[vickster]

I stand (in my barefeet) a gargantuan 149cm tall.
I have set a budget of £100, as I have not ridden a bike in a very long time!

If you could stretch another £20 or so, there are ok new bikes available

http://www.decathlon.co.uk/rockrider-300-ladies-mountain-bike-id_8284494.html

 

[WheelPixie]

Look out for a local bike-recycling project. You'll be able to get a bargain there and they're not likely to sell you a load of rubbish. if you tell us what part of Scotland you're in someone might know one local to you.

I live in the Fife area, to be absolutely specific I live near Dunfermline.

There is some hope for me on my Local gumtree, i am trying to organise a trip to go see one of the bikes since the seller says it is a ladies small and would be okay for a teenager.


The feet thing confuses me, when you are sat astride the bike as if you are about to pedal off are you supposed to be able to set your feet flat on the ground, or just your tip toes?

 

[discominer]

Gorbals Recycles http://www.gorbalsrecycles.co.uk/respokework.html or Bike Station http://www.thebikestation.org.uk/bike-station-glasgow-shop/
if you are near Glasgow.

Sorry, cross-posted- hope you find something locally.

 

[WheelPixie]

This post looks promising, although I do need a little help translating his info

it's 16 inch from pedal crank to the seat post and you can put seat up at least a further 20 or more inches. the wheels are 20 inch the bike is an adults size but teens can use it to.

Would this be something I should go see? The seller is not far from me and it is for a Raliegh folding bike.

 

[MikeW-71]

The feet thing confuses me, when you are sat astride the bike as if you are about to pedal off are you supposed to be able to set your feet flat on the ground, or just your tip toes?

Just your tip-toes. If you can get your feet flat on the ground when sitting on the saddle, it will be too low. A saddle that's too low will make pedalling much harder work than it needs to be and puts lots of stress on your knees.

Many will lean the bike to one side a bit to get a foot flatter on the ground when stopped, or come off the saddle completely (as I do).

 

[annedonnelly]

The feet thing confuses me, when you are sat astride the bike as if you are about to pedal off are you supposed to be able to set your feet flat on the ground, or just your tip toes?

Having your feet on the ground isn't the important thing. The important sizing is about reaching the bottom of the pedal stroke when you're actually riding along.

When stopped you might be able to reach with tip-toes or you might have to get off the saddle before you can put your feet on the ground. I can just reach with my toes, but I tilt the bike slightly to make it easier. Lots of people slide forward off the saddle to put their feet down.

Looks like these people might be close to you.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Hi and @WheelPixie

In answer to your question, if you can put your feet flat on the floor when sat on the saddle, it is set much too low. This will make the bike really hard work to ride and will make your knees hurt.

 

[snorri]

Your nearest Bike Station is in Edinbugh, and there's another in Perth, they recycle bikes and should have something to suit your budget.
The Edinburgh Bike Station is at 250, Causewayside., Tel 0131 668 1996 to check opening hours.
http://www.thebikestation.org.uk/edinburgh/
I would suggest going to one of these recycling places where you can try out a few bikes and they will help you find the right size for you, also the bike will have been checked over and will be fit for the road
.Buying second hand from a stranger is a riskier option, particularly as you say you are an "utter newbie"

 

[WheelPixie]

Just your tip-toes. If you can get your feet flat on the ground when sitting on the saddle, it will be too low. A saddle that's too low will make pedalling much harder work than it needs to be and puts lots of stress on your knees.

Many will lean the bike to one side a bit to get a foot flatter on the ground when stopped, or come off the saddle completely (as I do).

How handy! That halfords chap lied to me them >:C do forgive my use of halfords, I only went in to get some vague advice about sizing and stuff.