Hybrid bike buying advice needed

[Mark]

I'm looking to buy a bike with a budget of about ?300-?350. It won't be for commuting but will be for long rides in the country and a small bit of off-roading so a hybrid will be best.

I've tried this bike Trek 7.2 http://www.evanscycles.com/products/trek/72-fx-2009-hybrid-bike-ec016505 in Evans which seemed to be ok, but I was looking on Gumtree to see what I can get for the same money but seconhand.

So, apart from asking for receipts and looking for removed serial numbers (where are they btw?) is there a way to tell if a bike's nicked?

This one http://www.gumtree.com/london/42/59421742.html looks good but seeing as it was purchased in January yet has been "serviced annually" and there's no photo makes me suspicious, plus the fact a new one is ?700, asking ?220 for it is too good to be true methinks.

Is there a legit place to buy secondhand, serviced bikes? Does Balfes (or what ever it's called now) do second hand bikes?

Any advice greatly appreciated

Thanks

[Mark]

Ignore the "where are bikes the serial numbers" question, I've just found this Locating your bike?s serial number

[womanofdulwich]

cash converters do police checks. croydon is very fruitful.

[Ladymuck]

Mark, I would not buy a bike from Gumtree/ebay etc. Other than the obvious signs - you cannot really be sure whether or not a bike has been stolen.

Specialist bike shops like Balfes or Brixton Cycles are great for professional advice. Chains like Evans can be a bit hit and miss - depending on who serves you (there isn't the same passion as with the independents).

Here is a list of shops which may sell second-hand bikes (it's not 100% up-to-date)...it's by area.

[katie1997]

Mark Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I'm looking to buy a bike with a budget of about

> ?300-?350. It won't be for commuting but will be

> for long rides in the country and a small bit of

> off-roading so a hybrid will be best.

Hi Mark, I had to replace my old hybrid bike and had no idea what to get so I got good advice from the forum here.

I'm really happy with the Trek 7.3 FX that I bought locally. It's a good idea to try out a few different brands though to see what suits you best. Ladymuck is absolutely correct that those larger stores are hit and miss depending on what member of staff you get.

> This one

> http://www.gumtree.com/london/42/59421742.html

> looks good but seeing as it was purchased in

> January yet has been "serviced annually" and

> there's no photo makes me suspicious, plus the

> fact a new one is ?700, asking ?220 for it is too

> good to be true methinks.

If the bike was purchased new in Jan, it may have been due for its first (should be free) service after 4-6 weeks so that could explain it although yes, the price does sound unbelievably cheap.

> Is there a legit place to buy secondhand, serviced

> bikes? Does Balfes (or what ever it's called now)

> do second hand bikes?

I don't think B.C. Bikes (formerly Balfe's) do second-hand bikes though. I'd pop in and have a chat with them, they are really knowledgable and don't pressure you to buy anything either. Good luck.

[Sandperson]

Edwardes on the Walworth Road do second hand stuff as well. Despite their gruff exterior they should know what they are talking about too.

[Ladymuck]

I've had problems with Edwardes in the past. As has hubby. They sold hubby a bike that was far too small for him, sold us ill-fitting helmets, and weren't interested when my bike developed a fault (chain kept slipping) after only a few weeks. I eventually got fed up with them and went to Brixton Cycles to pay to get it repaired even though I should have got it done for free by Edwardes. But this was around 20 years ago - so their customer service may have improved.

[Sandperson]

I've always found them to be fairly helpful. Still, I'd do most of my research on the internet and make my own choices. Good job there's only room for the 5 bikes in my house.

[Mark]

Thanks for the tips everyone, I'm going to keep doing a bit more research, have a word with the guys at BC/Balfes, maybe try Edwardes to see what they're like and test ride a few more.

[woofmarkthedog]

Try..

Evans at the cut in Waterloo, they have two shops. One of which sells last years or end of line models

Look out for the range of Scott bikes, good spec & good value plus V light

I now they are a big chain, but I have found them alright to deal with

I bought a Specialized "Sirus" from them......

Oh I loved that bike, whoever stole it "may your balls/lady garden jangle in hell"

Here is the link

Lastly, I bought my Brompton on E-Bay

( the guy was a city gent of the old school who lived in Surrey )

" Rather...what.."

W**F

[SteveT]

A chat with mlteenie might be beneficial.

In my teens cyclo-cross was done on road bikes with maybe a change of wheels with knobbly tyres, so if you plan to be predominantly on tarmac then a road bike is the way to go.

The lighter in weight the better, but a nod towards off roading may be done in the gearing, my top gear was a 44 point chain wheel with a fourteen point smallest gear.

The next most important thing to the weight of the bike is the geometry, most of the off roaders are not comfortable for long distance rides on roads, as off roading means much of the time you are standing on the pedals.

When I bought my first Mercian which is the midlands version of a claude butler, although in terms of height a 22 1/2" frame was correct, I only realized a year or two later when riding a bike belonging to another member of the cycling club with a 24 1/2" frame suited me better, and have the seat lower and closer to the frame, and a shorter handle bar extension as the frame was longer.

Now according to all the experts the small one was the one which was correct for my height, but I have short legs and a long body, the larger frame was much easier to get along with in terms of pedalling and more comfortable for a days riding.

The moral of this story is to borrow as many bikes from friends and colleagues as you can, and ride them for an hour or two, only then will you know which suits you best. It is really important to be painstaking before seperating yourself from your hard earned, as you will probably keep the bike for years but it will pay you back in full if you do it wrong.

[taper]

Edwardes do good deals and I think their customer service is pretty good these days (I've found Brixton Cycles rather stuck up in the past). You should be able to pick up a hybrid (eg a Kona) for ?350, particulrly if it's last year's model and they're trying to clear. They have a huge choice. biggest in the area by far. Second hand bikes are overprIced in London in my experience (although you could try Bob's Bikes on John Ruskin Street, just up from Edwardes).

[omniprescient]

GT Zum S2 hybrid commuter bike available at Halfords (which used to be a very cr*p bike shop - and in many respects still is) for 400 quid less 10% internet discount= 360. Bike has the v. respectable GT Zaskar 6061 aluminium frame and hydraulic brakes. I've had one for over a year and can highly recommend it - you wont find a better value bike anywhere - I should know I've owned approx 20 bikes down the years - the most expensive costing more than 2.5k. The great thing about this bike is that you can use it as a commuter on the road with the slick tyres provided and it is a more than capable off roader when fitted with a pair of high volume knobblys (it has rigid forks). Also cheap enough so that you dont feel guilty about leaving it out in the rain (chained to your down pipe of course). A real work horse.

[SteveT]

Edwardes need watching, when you go in look at the prices carefully and note the prices (write them down) of the ones you are interested in.

Then ask for help from the staff.

I looked at a bike which said ?370 looked around the shop came back to the one I wanted and when I went to settle up it had mysteriously lost the price tag and it was suddenly ?470.