Opinions please...

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JAH

Regular
I'm looking to buy a hybrid bike (maybe ladies?) to do some cycling with my 10 year old daughter over the summer - she's just completed her 'Bikeability' training at school and is really enjoying riding her bike. (I'm hoping too it will help me to lose some weight and improve my own fitness - I'm not in good shape). I am pretty limited budget-wise, and can only really spend about £200.
I just want something strong but fairly basic as we will be riding on quiet roads and park paths. I'd also like to get set up fairly quickly. I did check out the 'dreaded' halfords online as a starting point, and there are a couple on there (supposedly on sale) that look ok. Then I looked at e-bay and saw this:
upload_2019-7-21_10-33-52.png

It is listed as a Claude Butler Classic Ladies Hybrid
16" frame
21 speed
No suspension

Any thoughts? The obvious downside is that I'd be taking a gamble on not having seen or tried it. It is collection in Lincoln (I'm in Nottingham) so wouldn't be able to see it before the bidding ends. Upside is that 100% of the sale goes to St Barnabas Hospice.
I am 5'4" so I think a 16" frame should be ok.
The bidding ends later this evening, and is currently at £53. My guess is that it will go up in the next few hours. (Mind you, I've never bought anything from e-bay in my life, so not completely sure how it all works!)
Worth pursuing? How much is it worth paying for considering that I'd have to get it properly serviced too within my £200? (No idea what a service would cost). Is it worth popping into Halfords and trying out something similar for size etc?
Would really appreciate any thoughts.
Sorry for the long post, and thank you in advance.
JAH
 

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raleighnut

Legendary Member
It looks OK but I'd rather see it before I committed myself to buying.
 

Ming the Merciless

There is no mercy
Location
Inside my skull
I'd say it is worth a punt if you can get a winning bid around that price. I wouldn't go past £65.

It looks to be clean , well maintained, can't see signs of rust and chain looks oiled. Unless the gears shift badly or brakes are bad it may not need a service. Just a drop of oil here and there and ensure tyres have sufficient air.

It will certainly suit for rides with your daughter and is perfect for a ride to the local shops for a few bits and pieces.

It is 3 chain rings at front and 7 at back. So 7 speed chains. You can still get 7 speed components cheaply if needed.
 
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JAH

Regular
Thank you...
Decathlon have a couple within my limited budget, but I don't know enough about specs to know how they compare (Riverside 100 or 120 ladies hybrid). Do I trust reviews?
It's a minefield! Halfords also have a few options - would they be a definite no-no? (Carrera Axle or Crossfire, Apollo Cafe or Elyse) I'm trying to find someone with a bit of bike knowledge to help me out. I know I'm not going to spend a fortune, but I don't want to waste the small budget that I have on something rubbish.
Can anyone advise on gears? How many are necessary for leisure riding on quiet roads or park paths? Is 6 or 8 enough? Is a rigid fork better?
I know you get many similar posts, so thank you for taking the time to respond to this!
Happy Sunday!
JAH
 
OP
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JAH

Regular
I'll keep my eye on the Claude Butler anyway, and see what the bidding goes up to.
 

raleighnut

Legendary Member
Thank you...
Decathlon have a couple within my limited budget, but I don't know enough about specs to know how they compare (Riverside 100 or 120 ladies hybrid). Do I trust reviews?
It's a minefield! Halfords also have a few options - would they be a definite no-no? (Carrera Axle or Crossfire, Apollo Cafe or Elyse) I'm trying to find someone with a bit of bike knowledge to help me out. I know I'm not going to spend a fortune, but I don't want to waste the small budget that I have on something rubbish.
Can anyone advise on gears? How many are necessary for leisure riding on quiet roads or park paths? Is 6 or 8 enough? Is a rigid fork better?
I know you get many similar posts, so thank you for taking the time to respond to this!
Happy Sunday!
JAH
It depends how hilly it is around you regarding gears. As for suspension forks unless you're spending a couple of thousand pounds on the fork itself they're useless.
 

alicat

Legendary Member
Location
Staffs
Forget the suspension. Not needed for the riding you describe and adds weight and needs maintenance.
 

Cycleops

Legendary Member
Location
Accra, Ghana
It's a bit of a gamble but it may be okay. Looks tidy but you never know. You don't know how much use its had or how old it is. Rely on the description, if its vague be wary. Its an aluminium frame so should at least be light. Maybe go up to eighty or so but don't get carried away!
The worst it could need is a couple of new tyres (£30), perhaps a chain (£15)and brake blocks, £10?). If the wheels are not true that might be about £30?
You need time budget for a lock, and a helmet if you want one.
The Riverside120 might suit but doesn't have a wide spread of gears like the CB, if that's important to you. You would need to kit it out with mudguards and carrier to bring it up to the same level as the CB.
Good luck.

Edit: After looking at the pics on eBay I'd say it's a fairly safe bet as looks like it been well maintained. Not much wear on the chain wheel so possibly hasn't had a lot of use.
 
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tom73

Guru
Location
Yorkshire
I'd say it will shut you fine. As others have said it looks to be in good condition it's worth a go others have told you how much it's worth so set a budget and hold out. Keep an eye on it and see how it go's if a bidding war starts then work away. Yes it's a mine field when you start looking but just take one thing at a time. Work out what you want from the bike , how you will use it, when, ect. Plenty of help about if you get stuck it's a good bunch on here and someone will always be happy to help.

Good luck
 
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JAH

Regular
Hahaha...Bike sold on e-bay for £97. Not to me, although I suspect it wasn't a bad deal. I've no recent experience of bikes and no experience of e-bay at all so it wasn't meant to be! Will try to check local bike shops and take a trip to Decathlon too.
 

tom73

Guru
Location
Yorkshire
Another option that is worth looking into is seeing if you have a community bike recycling project. They often have good selection of bikes for all budgets.
The other option is your area may have do free bike hire program. You often get one for month to see how you get on with one.
See your council run one you never know.
 
OP
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JAH

Regular
Funny how life is...have been offered this bike for a token sum. Wouldn't have gone for a mountain bike (and not for an Apollo either), but for next to nothing maybe it would do for a while to get going on? It is in immaculate condition - hardly used. I assume it would work for what I'm after, even if it's just for now. I assume that the weight and the front suspension would be 'liveable with'? The person who has offered it (it's not his own) is a 'proper' cyclist and has a host of specialist bikes, and knows his stuff I think. He says it is basic but ok, and in great condition.
 
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