First Bike
- Thread starter pari_girl
- Start date
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greekonabike
President of the 'Democratic Republic' of GOAB
- Location
- Kent
Hello Pari,
I wouldn't touch the Indi with a barge pole. The problem with this type of bike is that it looks good but it's built down to a cost. There's a lot of cheap full suspension mountain bikes on the market but the majority of them are made out of very poor quality components and are designed to appeal to a wide range of people in terms of aesthetics.
If I were you, and I was using the bike for what you are intending, I would try to find an inexpensive hybrid bike (no suspension - you don't really need it plus it makes the bike heavier and narrower tyres - make you quicker).
If it's not urgent I would keep on looking for a second hand example. There's a chance that bikes with a retail of £200+ are being sold for less than that as unwanted gifts.
I wish you the best of luck in your search. Just remember to apply common sense when purchasing second hand. If it seems too good to be true it probably is. Ask to see a proof of purchase, not everyone will have one but it doesn't mean the bikes nicked. A lot of people register their bikes on sites like Bikeregister and Immobilise. They put in the bikes serial number and description and can log if it gets stolen. I know that Bikeregister provides you with a document when you register your bike and that would normally indicate all is OK.
If you can't find anything then cancel your gym membership, spend more money on a bike and get riding
GOAB
Anna Scott
Member
- Location
- London, UK
Hello Everyone
Thank you so much for all your replies really appreciate it. It has been really helpful for buying my first
In fact I did not expect so many responses
I have decided not to get the Apollo bike
Actively looking for second hand bikes on Gumtree
Ok so now I have been offered a free bike its a Raleigh ( yippe I know the cycle brands now) Problem is this bike was lying around for 4 years now
I am posting pictures here so can get some advise if I ca get this repaired - well if is it actually repairable.
Is the repair cost worth it ?
Thank you so much for all your replies really appreciate it. It has been really helpful for buying my first
In fact I did not expect so many responses
I have decided not to get the Apollo bike
Actively looking for second hand bikes on Gumtree Ok so now I have been offered a free bike its a Raleigh ( yippe I know the cycle brands now) Problem is this bike was lying around for 4 years now
I am posting pictures here so can get some advise if I ca get this repaired - well if is it actually repairable.
Is the repair cost worth it ?
Attachments
Cycleops
Legendary Member
- Location
- Accra, Ghana
The good thing you can say about it is it's free, afraid it pretty much goes downhill after that.
If it's been laying round for four years you can add at least another couple of decades to its real age.. it might very well be repairable but how much money do you want to throw at it. It looks like a basic model, nothing wrong with that but it might never be very pleasant to ride. The steel rims won't stop in the wet without special pads, the wheels will likely need truing, needs new chain, chainset, possibly tyres, new tubes. That's just the stuff I can see. Do you really want to spend money that you won't get back when it comes to selling?
There must be some better stuff out there.
If it's been laying round for four years you can add at least another couple of decades to its real age.. it might very well be repairable but how much money do you want to throw at it. It looks like a basic model, nothing wrong with that but it might never be very pleasant to ride. The steel rims won't stop in the wet without special pads, the wheels will likely need truing, needs new chain, chainset, possibly tyres, new tubes. That's just the stuff I can see. Do you really want to spend money that you won't get back when it comes to selling?
There must be some better stuff out there.
jefmcg
Guru
If you don't know anyone to help you with this, take it into a bike shop and get a quote. Tell them you only want minimum to make it safe and rideable. If you don't like the total, then thank them and walk away. Take the bike to a recycling charity if there is one in your neighbourhood.
If you don't know a good LBS (local bike shop) then tell us where you live, and someone will know one. Also, someone might step up and help get it on the road if they are nearby.
A friend needed a more upright bike following back surgery was able to get a skip-rescue bike back on the road for the cost of new tubes and tyres. It's not a great bike, but it does the job - and I will pass it on to a new owner when she is done with it. Note, new tubes and tyres will be at least £30, and then you add cables and brakes and it would be easy for this bike to cost well over £100 before labour just to make it safe. To be sure, the rusty wheel rims worry me, but I don't know if that can be fixed with a little oil and elbow grease.
biggs682
Touch it up and ride it
- Location
- Northamptonshire
@pari_girl that would be agreat bike to get you around town but i would estimate about £60 - 100 to get that mobile again unless you can do a lot of it yourself
its a nice project for sure , if thats the kind of bike you want you , i have the green Ladies Brace of Bromwich's that i am sure we could work a deal out .
it has been service by myself about 3 months ago and used very lightly since
its a nice project for sure , if thats the kind of bike you want you , i have the green Ladies Brace of Bromwich's that i am sure we could work a deal out .
it has been service by myself about 3 months ago and used very lightly since
Cycleops
Legendary Member
- Location
- Accra, Ghana
biggs682
Touch it up and ride it
- Location
- Northamptonshire
in all fairness it been all apart and all bearings apart from the rear wheel hub have been stripped , cleaned and re greased , new brake cables and later style longer mtb pads fitted if it done 5 miles since thats it .
down sides are steel rims but in quite good condition , only 5 gears and the tyres are useable for sure but not brilliant , certainly good enough
Mb49
Regular
- Location
- West Sussex
Hi. Like you said you don't want to spend much and you know you won't get much. What I would say is don't get full suspension, it will be worse than rubbish. I personally wouldn't buy used , as you'll just get some worse rubbish, but without a warranty. I'd say go in halfords cycle department ask to speak to person who knows the bikes well, as some don't.Ask for their best deals. Halfords aren't bad , a lot of people slag them off , but depending what you want they can be a good option.Hope this helps