Cheap as Chips Mountain Bike
Discussion
2nd hand would be your best bet. Local paper I'd think would offer the best bargains, failing that E-bay but don't get carried away with the bidding.
Edited to add - Saied's advice below is also very good - Avoid suspension, disc brakes etc like the plague as for this price they will be CR*P!!!
>> Edited by zippee on Friday 13th January 11:55
Edited to add - Saied's advice below is also very good - Avoid suspension, disc brakes etc like the plague as for this price they will be CR*P!!!
>> Edited by zippee on Friday 13th January 11:55
My advice, for a daily hack, is to keep it as basic as possible. No suspension either front or rear. The quality of the suspension components on a bike at this price level is marginal, and I may suggest, dangerous. The bike will also be lighter with fixed forks.
They dosen't look cool, but a pair of cheap plastic mudguards will prevent you getting a brown stripe up your back when the roads are wet.
Go for one without quick release levers on the wheels or saddle; prevents the chavs from pinching them while its parked up.
Rear LED lights are great for winter commuting; weigh next to nothing, pop them in your pocket as you leave the bike and the batteries last for 100 hours.
>> Edited by Saied on Friday 13th January 12:01
>> Edited by Saied on Friday 13th January 12:02
They dosen't look cool, but a pair of cheap plastic mudguards will prevent you getting a brown stripe up your back when the roads are wet.
Go for one without quick release levers on the wheels or saddle; prevents the chavs from pinching them while its parked up.
Rear LED lights are great for winter commuting; weigh next to nothing, pop them in your pocket as you leave the bike and the batteries last for 100 hours.
>> Edited by Saied on Friday 13th January 12:01
>> Edited by Saied on Friday 13th January 12:02
minicity said:
Agree with the keep it simple views.
Very many second hand bikes are stolen. If you bought new you avoid the possiblity of buying stolen property.
quite so. If you buy a rather nice black ATB bike in Reading second hand it is likely to be mine after some thieving
took a shine to it when chained up at the station. So I thought bollox to it and paid 50 quid for a new one from sterlinghouse the other day.
Will prob fall apart in a few month but I only need it to go to campus every so often, and I wont be doing that after June.
Might park it where the other one was nicked and set up a sting with a few mate....
Greg, I bought one (via ebay) for my wife from Sterling House Bikes for £50. Ok, its not super fandangled, but £50?!
My secreatary at work also bought one from them for about the same price .
www.sterlinghouse.co.uk/
Cheap as chips
My secreatary at work also bought one from them for about the same price .
www.sterlinghouse.co.uk/
Cheap as chips
gbbird said:
Cheers people,
Have looked at the Halfords Appolo ones for £79. Look simple and basic so may go for it
I would advise against this .... a mate of mine bought one , and it fell to pieces in 3 months .... gears , bottom bracket , brakes etc. etc. ....... he then complained and got a full refund mind you. He then bought a decent bike for about £600.
I would get a 2nd hand bike with NO suspension at this price level.
Dont do it mate when it comes to bikes dirt cheap = expensive.
Often when these things break they are irrepairable and end up written off after a few months.
Spend 2-300 & get a bottom of the line bike from a good company, TREK, Saracen etc...
From a proper bike shop who know thier stuff - imho Halfords is only as good as the spotty yoof on the counter some ok many clueless.
At this time of year last years stock can be picked up at knock down prices.
Keep it simple as stated no suspension or gadgets and you will get something that will last years and be fixable when things wear/break.
Often when these things break they are irrepairable and end up written off after a few months.
Spend 2-300 & get a bottom of the line bike from a good company, TREK, Saracen etc...
From a proper bike shop who know thier stuff - imho Halfords is only as good as the spotty yoof on the counter some ok many clueless.
At this time of year last years stock can be picked up at knock down prices.
Keep it simple as stated no suspension or gadgets and you will get something that will last years and be fixable when things wear/break.
alfaman said:
Cheers people,
Have looked at the Halfords Appolo ones for £79. Look simple and basic so may go for it
I would advise against this .... a mate of mine bought one , and it fell to pieces in 3 months .... gears , bottom bracket , brakes etc. etc. ....... he then complained and got a full refund mind you. He then bought a decent bike for about £600.
I would get a 2nd hand bike with NO suspension at this price level.
Have a look in cash converters or on ebay, but know what is quality and is not first
If you can afford, this may be a good buy....Halfords are selling the 2004 version of these (no front disc brk) for £149.99. (Note: Link is to the 2006 spec bike, yet not a huge difference)
£150 Carrera Vulcan
£150 Carrera Vulcan
racingsnake said:
Dont do it mate when it comes to bikes dirt cheap = expensive.
Often when these things break they are irrepairable and end up written off after a few months.
Spend 2-300 & get a bottom of the line bike from a good company, TREK, Saracen etc...
From a proper bike shop who know thier stuff - imho Halfords is only as good as the spotty yoof on the counter some ok many clueless.
At this time of year last years stock can be picked up at knock down prices.
Keep it simple as stated no suspension or gadgets and you will get something that will last years and be fixable when things wear/break.
My worry is getting it nicked or vandalised, as i will be leaving it at the station throughout the day, therefore i don't want to use my Specialised bike, nor spend too much on a commuter bike.
What about a bottom of the range Raleigh - are they more reliable than other cheap makes?
I bought a £99 sqid halfords bike about 9 years ago. Apart from waring the tyres out, its been good and still going! squirt a bit of oil one a year at it and its happy, puff some air, check some bolts hey presto
Mainly used on south downs/road admittadly no mount everest but he Im happy with it!
Mainly used on south downs/road admittadly no mount everest but he Im happy with it!
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