Second hand bike

[biffyclyhorse]

I really want a bike (original one is broken), I'm keen to get going with loosing some weight and love cycling. Can't afford to purchase brand new bike right now so have been looking on marketplace for second hand bikes. I came across one nearby for £100, contacted the seller asking how old the bike is etc, it's 20 years old but hardly used apparently.

DH says no way, it's almost as old as me and has been sat around hardly used for that long.

I'm not very clued up but also thought £100 for a twenty year old bicycle seems like a lot? AIBU?

Try looking for your local charity shop, plenty have bike refurb people who will do an old bike miles cheaper than that. That said, a 20 year old bike that's virtually unused and a good make can reasonably cost that, I've seen pashleys for more.

Depends on the condition and quality of the bike. If it was a well maintained, high quality bike then £100 is probably a bargain. If it was a bike shaped object from halfords then it will be a rip-off.

Depends on the bike and the make. If it’s hardly been used, has it been serviced? I’d ask to see it and try it. But I would buy e.g. a 20 year old Brompton at that price.

Sounds like a lot.... the cheapest bikes in decathlon are around £180.

Bike nerd alert:
There is a big difference in the comfort and ease of riding between cheap bikes and expensive bikes - I am overweight and unfit and ride my husband's 'old' road bike that is made of candy floss and practically rides itself - it is MUCH better than the cheap ones which tend to be heavier and less smooth (or as another bike widow once described - made from bits of a garden gate). I also have a bike I bought about 20 years ago, it's a mountain bike, was fairly good quality at the time, has been regularly serviced (brakes, tyres etc) and is in really good condition and is better than £200 bikes we have considered for our teens from Decathlon - we opt, if we can, for second hand good bikes.

Maybe go and have a look - can you pick it up easily, are the handlebars and saddle in good condition, no rust, have a ride (at least 10 to 15 minutes), does it feel comfortable, are your arms stretched (often the problem for women on standard or male bikes while women's bikes tend to be lower spec for the same price and heavier). Maybe take a friend with you..

And if your husband says 'no way'... does he have a better solution?

(I wanted to hire a high spec road bike that fits me, to see what it was like, my husband suggested we could buy one for the same price from Decathlon - I gave him a sideways sweary stare and pointed out that it would not really serve the purpose of seeing what a quality bike felt like! - the result is that instead of selling his old bike - I use it and I love it.)

If bikes are kept out of the rain & weather, they don't deteriorate very much. It might need new tyres & inner tubes, but the chain etc would still be in good condition, assuming they were OK to start with. Ask the seller how the bike has been stored.

Can you tell us what make of bike it is. One of my bike is 20 years old and it's still in excellent condition. It was a reasonably expensive bike and has been looked after. It's got fantastic gear ratios and is really light both which suit me really well.

I'd forgotten it was so old.

It is a Merida. I have asked if it has been serviced and I do intend on going to see it and make sure it is comfy. I'm really not clued up atall on this so appreciate the advice!

I’ve got a bike of similar age that I’m expecting to get around £800 for…. All bikes are not equal.

In your situation I’d look for a cycle CIC - community interest company. These are charities that do up used bikes and sell them on at low cost. If you are in S/W Yorkshire, I can point you in the right direction. For £100, you are far better off with well maintained, quality second hand, rather than cheap new.

I would think about what you will use the bike for and on what type of terrain or what type of journeys. A quick google tells me that this might be a fairly high priced front suspension mountain bike - perfect if you are planning on cycling on forest trails, country lanes etc. If you are planning on more on the road cycling - perhaps something without suspension might be better as all your effort is transferred to the wheels rather than some being absorbed by the suspension. If it's just to be more active and use to cycle to shops - you might want something that can have a basket or panniers fitted. As well as CIC, mentioned above, some police forces sell recovered bikes that they have not been able to reunite with their owners.

What type of Merida?

I'd also be wary of accidentally buying a stolen bike. If they have had it a long time I'd ask if they had any proof of ownership. Not sure how well that would work in practice though 🤦🏻‍♀️

I'd at least check to see if it had any security marks.

Sounds like a lot for an old bike. I'd keep looking.

Try googling police auctions, they sell off all the stuff they confiscate, my DH got a cheap bike from one a few years ago.

£100 for a 20 year old bike. They saw you coming

My local independent bike mechanics often have 2nd hand bikes for sale, which they have checked over so in good condition.

Your comment would be valid had I bought the bloody bike. I haven't.

Depends entirely what spec the bike was to start. I have a 20 year old bike that would sell for £500 sat in my garage. It was several grand when new.

tbh a £150 bike from Halfords is going to be a piece of crap. Those kind of bikes are known as bike shaped objects. They’re awful to ride anywhere apart from to the shops for a pint of milk.

so £100 May ge a good deal depending on the spec and how well it’s been stored and maintained.

A well maintained decent spec bike is, of course, worth money.

I have a road bike that is over 20 years old that was top of the line at the time. I would expect at least 1k for it if I was going to sell it.

Op I’d say probably the most important thing in terms of wear is the drive train. That’s cogs and chain and gear shifters. If it’s 20 years old it either has to be very lightly used ie hardly ever, or recently replaced.

Once the drive chain starts to wear it could easily cost £100+ to replace as you often need to do the whole lot. New chain on old cassette/rings won’t work. So the condition of those parts is probably most important imo. obviously you don’t want too many things that are knackered but that’s the big one.

So if you do go to try it out, make sure it shifts smoothly and the chain doesn’t skip or jump when you pedal hard. Check to see if the cassette or rings look shark toothed (google it) and that the chain is reasonably clean and not full of gunk.

2 of my bikes are more than 20 years old and I wouldn't part with either for 100 so it could be a good deal it could be an awful deal.

also second hand bikes are still at a premium at the moment

post pics 👍

Any pics? 2nd hand bikes are at a premium but obv depends on the bike

Sorry hijacking here... so why has my bike then rusted the fuck up when it's kept inside the garage? It's never been stored outside, but guaranteed both mine and DD's handlebars will rust up within 12 months.

I thought all bikes were made roughly equal, clearly not after reading this thread!

Depends on materials - stainless steel is less prone to rust, aluminium and alloys don't rust, painted or chromed steel is susceptible. Rust in itself isn't generally an issue on bikes - it's not so serious as on cars as it mostly doesn't pose a structural threat, just looks unsightly.

Also - keeping in garage won't prevent rust if the bike is put away damp, and/or if the garage is damp.

Sorry hijacking here... so why has my bike then rusted the fuck up when it's kept inside the garage? It's never been stored outside, but guaranteed both mine and DD's handlebars will rust up within 12 months

Was it cheap?

i have an expensive bike I put in the garage about 15 years ago. Just got it back out to start commuting again and apart from a bit of oil and a few adjustments it’s fine.

o/p i’d look up the original price of the bike. if it’s over 1k i’d reconsider.

I wouldn’t swap mine for a new one because I wouldn’t get anything of the same quality for under £500. I’d take a quality second hand bike for a new bike the same price every time.

Depends what has rusted up, whether the bike was properly cleaned/dried/lubed etc before it was put into storage and how damp etc your garage is.