Cambridge -where to buy a second hand bike

[randomname101]

My YP has just started at Cambridge. Has a very full timetable. And supervisions in different colleges/locations so it often appears they need to be in two places at once. As well as picking up a sport which seems to be done quite far out of city centre. They had hoped not to need a bike - haven’t really ridden one since primary!

I’ve been told it’s a really bad time of year to buy one but needs must.

any recommendations for where to go. And what sort of bike would be good. Any shops that would be particularly helpful with advice.

will obviously invest in decent lock and helmet

thanks for any tips

There’s a stall on the market that sells bikes, the man is always really helpful.
Otherwise ask the College Porters for suggestions.

Yes, I was going to suggest the market stall. Otherwise University Cycles on Victoria Avenue. You can't really not have a bike in Cambridge, it's the only sensible way of getting about.

Consider joining Camcycle, he must have a good set of lights (police will stop you) and the Uni used to offer free sessions with Outspoken, who are a local provider of cycling tuition, if he's a bit nervous about riding on the roads.

My DS got his second-hand bike from Kingsway Cycles in Cambridge - they had a good selection at the time (two years ago)

Over the summer we donated 2 unused bikes to OWL Bikes https://www.papworthtrust.org.uk/owl-bikes/ off Chesterton Road for them to refurbish and sell.
I don't suppose they have a huge supply but might be worth a look.

When DS had the bike he took up to Cambridge stolen in his second term, he just couldn’t find anywhere with a second hand bike to fit him. His timetable (academic and sport) didn’t work without a bike so we ended up taking up a bike sourced from home.

Anything worth looking at on Facebook Marketplace?
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/107847249250173/search?sortBy=distance_ascend&query=bicycle&exact=false&locale=en_GB

Thanks for all your tips. I will pass them on. I shall contribute the helmet and bike chain so hopefully the budget of £200 they’ve given themself will be feasible!