Looking to get back into cycling

[silk186]

When I was a high school student i bought a nice Giant front suspension bike for around $450 in Canada, it had v-brakes and front suspension. I road it everywhere and took it on trails. Now I'm in Reading, Berkshire and I want a bike. I will ride it the train station, university and shopping. I would also like to ride with my girlfriend around the countryside and go on some pick nicks. I will be leaving the UK in 3-4 years so I want to go second hand. I bought a bike earlier and it turned out to be a lemon, brakes are not great and the rear axle snapped. Instead of putting a lot of money into fixing it up I would rather get something better, I'm hoping that £60-80 will be enough for a decent bike with front suspension. I've been trolling ebay and gumtree and I'm surprised what some bikes go for. Are these the best two sites? What should I watch for an avoid. I've been out of cycling for a while and don't know the local brands.

 

[Cycleops]

Hello and welcome. What sort of a bike do you want? An MTB or a road bike? Both can be had with suspension but it's really not worth having, especially on the road. If you are willing to spend only sixty to eighty quid you are in lemon territory. When you say you are surprised how much bikes go for I imagine you mean they are expensive. Have you looked at the price of new bikes? A more realistic figure would be around £200, more if you want a really nice one. Try to get one that has not had much use if you can. People often buy bikes ride them a few times and put them away for whatever reason. If you are not sure about a bike post a link on here and get some feedback before buying. Good luck.

 

[silk186]

Hi Cycleops, thanks for the reply.

I'm surprised that used bikes sometimes sell close to retail prices. I find front suspension provides a much more comfortable ride on the road. I don't want full suspension as it is not suitable or within my budget. It doesn't need to be great suspension as I won't often go off road. I like MTBs but would be open to a road bike. What are the recommended sites for finding a good deal on a second hand bike?

 

[Tin Pot]

I got back into cycling last summer and bought what is referred to as a Bicycle Shaped Object, for £70 from Halfords. The full suspension trax tfs.1. I rode it in a triathlon and trained on it for two months before I got real bike for £800. The difference was amazing.

If you are just pootling around occasionally, and don't mind the bike going wrong now and again get my cheap junk bike would be okay. But you get what you pay for, and £60-80 is fark all in this county - about four rounds of drinks in London.

 

[silk186]

Would something like this be decent enought for commuting?


Giant Rock mens 19" frame red mountain bike
Haro Mountain Bike VGF-V1

I'm thinking to try for a cheap Giant or Scott bike.

 

[Cycleops]

Both the bikes on eBay would be fine I'm sure but you really need to look at them and check them out. Look for loose spokes and rims running true, hooked or spiked chain wheels and rear cassette. Hold the front brake on and push the forks back and forth to check for headset wear.

If you are going to be using it almost exclusively on the road a MTB will be slower and heavier than a road bike, due to the sus forks, wider slower tyres and overall weight. If you get on a hybrid after using a MTB on the road the difference will be very noticeable.

Apart from eBay check out Preloved.

If you are really keen on a mountain bike how about this one, older than the the ones you posted but looks in reasonable condition, you can always change to slick tyres to get faster road performance.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GIANT-X-GSR-1000-MOUNTAIN-BIKE-MENS-BOYS-UNISEX-19-5-FRAME-OLD-SCHOOL/261452634078?_trksid=p2047675.c100011.m1850&_trkparms=aid=222005&algo=SIC.PROD&ao=1&asc=22311&meid=6383350735939932345&pid=100011&prg=9701&rk=3&rkt=10&sd=231208910766
You also need to make sure you get the correct size, what is your inside leg measurement?

 

[silk186]

Thanks for the advice, I didn't know MTB are heavier than road bike, I just thought the posture and tires were different. I will look into hybrid bikes more.

 

[Tin Pot]

Would something like this be decent enought for commuting?


Giant Rock mens 19" frame red mountain bike
Haro Mountain Bike VGF-V1

I'm thinking to try for a cheap Giant or Scott bike.

Commute ? I thought you were a student.

I'd get a road bike, and id get a Triban 3, new from Decathlon for £299.

 

[silk186]

I'm a PhD student and live in the opposite site of town

 

[Tin Pot]

I guess 'commute' is a specifically work oriented word for me.

Get a triban!