If you had £200, would you hit Asda or Decathlon, or go 2nd hand?

[stoptherock]

A nephew wants a hard-tail hybrid for a 3 mile commute.

 

[tordis]

I'd definitely give Asda a miss. My best bet would be finding a good second-hand bike and, if that fails, I'd try and find something in Decathlon.

 

[karlos_the_jackal]

2nd hand.

I'm just about to spend £270 (hopefully when i get to see the bike, long story now haven't cycle commuted for about three weeks its killing me!) on a fausto coppi cyclocross bike with carbon forks and campy veloce/mirage

 

[wafflycat]

Asda! Good grief! Certainly not... Decathlon. Yes, I'd have a look.

Try here

http://www.mailorderbikes.com/

The offspring has just bought a bike from there (under £200) to use for the short commute from student digs to campus. Delivery was prompt. Bike comes where you need to do a bit of bike building, but not much.

 

[Lazy-Commuter]

£200 would buy quite a lot 2nd hand. Or ..

Halfords have got a Carrera in for £200. I know the usual advice is to avoid Halfords, but don't the Carrera range have quite a good reputation? I'm sticking my neck out a bit here, just going on what I've heard as I have no experience with them; but it's gotta be better than Asda, surely?

 

[jay clock]

Decathlon YES
ASDA NO

I normally avoid Halfords but the Carerra Subway would be ideal. I have had one a few years and it is the perfect commute bike

 

[stoptherock]

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/..._productId_712155_langId_-1_categoryId_165534

That looks ok.

Not a huge 2nd hand bike market in Norwich.

 

[cyberknight]

Just to pipe up i have last years subway and its done over 3000 miles , the only major thing i had to repair was a new chain + rear cassette but other than brake pads its been ok .

Obviously upgraded the pedals to spds and put some city jets on and a pannier rack .

If i hit asda would be for cheap clothes and food can you even see the bike in asda? i wouldnt know the local ones not big enough for fancy stuff like bikes

 

[Lazy-Commuter]

Just noticed that they're offering an extra 20% off that subway if you buy online, which would make it £160. The only "snag" is that you'd have to do some self-assembly but given the hit-and-miss nature of the builds done in store that's not necessarily all that big an issue ...

 

[jimboalee]

"Second hand"... Easier said than done. Does your nephew want a bike THIS weekend?

Second question, "How do you rate his bicycle mechanics skills?"
Buying second hand might be buying a basket of vipers.

If there is a Decathlon near you, this is the safe bet.

 

[BrumJim]

Second hand.

Buying new is just vain and a waste of good metal.

 

[D4VOW]

I would buy secondhand but if you want to buy new definitely go for Decathlon.

 

[The Eighth Man]

For £200 you should get a really nice second hand bike, bike but it is a risk if you are looking on flea bay. You pays ya money and takes your choice

 

[theboytaylor]

"Second hand"... Easier said than done. Does your nephew want a bike THIS weekend?

Second question, "How do you rate his bicycle mechanics skills?"
Buying second hand might be buying a basket of vipers.

If there is a Decathlon near you, this is the safe bet.

I'd echo that bit of caution. I bought second hand and got a pretty good bike, although with some worn parts that I didn't know about when I got it (due to my inexperience). While I have enjoyed the "journey" of learning, replacing the worn parts as and when and getting the set up correct, if it had not been for a very helpful LBS and my Dad knowing a good deal about bikes, my steed might be languishing in my shed having done less than 100 miles.

If you don't really know one end of a bike from the other, or are not confident of your mechanical skills and don't necessarily have the appetite/time to learn, second hand can be a bit of a minefield. For me, it's been great and I've ordered my next bike frame only and will build it up myself cool:.