Single speed - buy new or second-hand?
07-10-17, 03:47 PM
#1
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Single speed - buy new or second-hand?
Hi,
I'm looking for a bike to commute to work, approx 10km, in London, no major hills.
Budget £200 -£400
Do I go for a new bike or second hand?
Suggestions! Advice! Please!
Thanks
I'm looking for a bike to commute to work, approx 10km, in London, no major hills.
Budget £200 -£400
Do I go for a new bike or second hand?
Suggestions! Advice! Please!
Thanks
07-10-17, 10:46 PM
#2
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If it were me, I'd go new unless I knew the previous owner and how well they took care of the bike. Bikes online are so inexpensive now that it almost negates the need to buy used...in my opinion.
Brick Lane Bikes has a bunch in your price range:
https://www.bricklanebikes.co.uk/fixed-gear
I know you're in London but here's what I'm talking about. And this Fuji Feather (from Performance) is a decent bike for USD$379 bucks:
Brick Lane Bikes has a bunch in your price range:
https://www.bricklanebikes.co.uk/fixed-gear
I know you're in London but here's what I'm talking about. And this Fuji Feather (from Performance) is a decent bike for USD$379 bucks:
Last edited by drlogik; 07-10-17 at 10:49 PM.
07-11-17, 12:51 AM
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Depends on what you're looking for and where you live, but it never hurts to check out what used bikes are available first, especially for a daily commuter or beater bike. A steel frame from a reputable company would be cheaper used and unless there are visible dents or cracks it should be good for a long time. take the savings from buying used and upgrade any components you need, which you probably would end up doing on a cheap complete anyway.
btw, the above post links to a bunch of 6KU bikes, which is asking for problems down the line imo
btw, the above post links to a bunch of 6KU bikes, which is asking for problems down the line imo
07-11-17, 02:05 AM
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Buy new and learn to build a good bike. Thats the whole fun of it. If you're looking for a bike in that price range you probably won't find a "decent" used bike. Also.. go with Mercier Kilo TT for the price range
07-11-17, 02:13 PM
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Thanks guys for your advice. Three replies and three different suggestions. Was hoping for some kind of concensus!
Are the tyres, brakes, saddles, frame really that bad on complete new bikes in this price range for my requirements?
Any opinions on Vilano bikes?
Cheers
Are the tyres, brakes, saddles, frame really that bad on complete new bikes in this price range for my requirements?
Any opinions on Vilano bikes?
Cheers
07-11-17, 02:37 PM
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Lol, good luck with that.
You can probably get something decent and rideable at your price point, but it won't be a "good bike" by the standards of most bike snobs (i.e. everyone on this forum). Buying used is good if you know what you're looking for/looking at -- otherwise, you're pretty likely to end up buying junk or getting ripped off.
You can probably get something decent and rideable at your price point, but it won't be a "good bike" by the standards of most bike snobs (i.e. everyone on this forum). Buying used is good if you know what you're looking for/looking at -- otherwise, you're pretty likely to end up buying junk or getting ripped off.
07-14-17, 09:57 AM
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I think it depends on how good of a mechanic you are and the used bike you buy.
Craigslist always has a ton of nice, steel frame road bikes that would make perfect single cog riders. Unless you have the parts, stay away from vintage Peugeot, Motebecane, or Gitane with french threads.
Craigslist always has a ton of nice, steel frame road bikes that would make perfect single cog riders. Unless you have the parts, stay away from vintage Peugeot, Motebecane, or Gitane with french threads.
07-15-17, 08:41 AM
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Living in London I'd go with Planet-X/On-One. They have a nice range of steel frames at affordable/reasonable prices, quality is -in my opinion- as good as it gets in this price range.
For example the Holdworth La Quelda frame (or frame bundle with wheels). Use this frameset as a base and look for used parts. Building up a bike ain't witchcraft and you learn the most on the way...or by making mistakes
For example the Holdworth La Quelda frame (or frame bundle with wheels). Use this frameset as a base and look for used parts. Building up a bike ain't witchcraft and you learn the most on the way...or by making mistakes
07-15-17, 05:47 PM
#10
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Depends on what you're looking for and where you live, but it never hurts to check out what used bikes are available first, especially for a daily commuter or beater bike. A steel frame from a reputable company would be cheaper used and unless there are visible dents or cracks it should be good for a long time. take the savings from buying used and upgrade any components you need, which you probably would end up doing on a cheap complete anyway.
btw, the above post links to a bunch of 6KU bikes, which is asking for problems down the line imo
btw, the above post links to a bunch of 6KU bikes, which is asking for problems down the line imo
07-17-17, 04:12 PM
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Living in London I'd go with Planet-X/On-One. They have a nice range of steel frames at affordable/reasonable prices, quality is -in my opinion- as good as it gets in this price range.
For example the Holdworth La Quelda frame (or frame bundle with wheels). Use this frameset as a base and look for used parts. Building up a bike ain't witchcraft and you learn the most on the way...or by making mistakes
For example the Holdworth La Quelda frame (or frame bundle with wheels). Use this frameset as a base and look for used parts. Building up a bike ain't witchcraft and you learn the most on the way...or by making mistakes
I'm in the US and just bought a step-thru (women's?) Holdsworth La Quelda frame (and lots of other parts too) from Planet X for my wife. Couldn't find a lot in the way of reviews for it, besides it being decent for being cheap...errr...inexpensive, but decided to go ahead and give it a try. According to DHL tracking - it should be here on Wednesday.
Have you seen the Holdsworth stuff in person? If so, what do you think? Just looking to hear somebody else's opinion of it before my wife's gets here...
07-17-17, 07:27 PM
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I don't care if the bike was almost free, all of my bikes have around $600+ into them, not counting tires and tubes. And those are antiques.
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