Which second hand bike?

[Hgjules]

Hi All,
Found this forum by accident and it looks like folk may be able to help me. Have a short commute to work and a dodgy back so I think I would prefer an upright bike. Not confident enough yet to spend a lot of money possibly getting the wrong bike so am looking on ebay, gumtree etc.
There are currently two bikes I am interested in, a Global Carmel 26-2 and a B'Twin city style, not sure of model. Does anyone have any thoughts? Am abt 5' 5 and female. Thanks for any comments.

 

[Scilly Suffolk]

Is this the first bike you mentioned? Specialized are a good quality brand and the bike has hub gears, which are a sensible, low maintenance option. Suspension forks wouldn't be top of my list for a commuter bike: budget ones just add weight and soak up some of the effort you put into pedalling, however in your case I wouldn't let it put you off.

B'Twin is a brand of Decathlon who are a large European sporting goods firm with a few stores in the UK. They have a good reputation for offering value for money at the budget end of the market. Is this one of the bikes you were considering? A hub geared bike with an enclosed chain would be a good choice.

Obviously it depends on their age and condition, but I would expect to pay less for a B'Twin then a Specialized; this doesn't necessarily mean that they are better bikes, but the brand is better known: in fact this probably makes a B'Twin the "smart choice".

Whatever you go for, the most important thing is to try before you buy: it doesn't matter how good the bike is if you are uncomfortable, especially with back problems.

 

[Hgjules]

Thanks, Jimmy. I think the B'twin one I am looking at is an older version of these; it is also missing the back mudguard and I don't know how much sorting that would cost. It's a lot closer to where I live than the Specialised though, which was swaying me slightly!

 

[Scilly Suffolk]

You're welcome.

To be practical, whatever you choose needs mudguards: not only to keep you clean, but the bike too. Having 1) lost and 2) not replaced the mudguard would concern me a little: it doesn't shout "well maintained".

What is your budget: could you consider a new bike? A warranty and good after-sales service is always money well spent, especially if you aren't familiar with what you are buying.

 

[Hgjules]

I fear my budget is too low for anything decent, particularly in the upright style. Have looked around a few shops and upright seem to start at £180 and dutch-style £300. Maybe I'm hoping for a bargain I just won't find! I guess am looking to just spend two figures if I can. Then ascertain which style suits me and maybe spend proper money on a new one. My current bike has given up the ghost after five years, it was free and a rust-bucket even then. It is also not the right style at all for me and hasn't been easy to ride; some days I have chosen to walk instead. I am looking for 3 gears, upright, covered chain. After five Hard years I would get serious and buy a decent saddle too!

 

[biggs682]

Hgjules no experiance of models mentioned , but there are loads of older 2nd hand ladies 3 speed bikes around on e bay etc etc , my local auction house had a few nice ones recentley that both went for under £50 , ok they needed service etc etc but still cheaper than new .