Need a cheap 2nd hand bike for commuting - or sell me one!

scrimshaw on 24/07/2015 - 17:44

So I know next to nothing about bicycle brands.

I live around 20 minutes from the rail which I catch a train to everyday from work. There are bicycle posts at which you can lock a bike to but since this is outdoors it's very likely my ride will rust into a pile of iron oxide after about a few months anyway.

So it has to be as cheap as possible but also easy to ride on (like say while wearing a suit and a backpack) — I won't be using it for sport, as it's a commuter bike.

What sort of bike should I be looking to buy?

Find Me A Bargain

Comments

  • monty.melb on 24/07/2015 - 17:46

    Big w have few bikes under $100. What's ur price range?

    • scrimshaw on 24/07/2015 - 17:48

      Preferably under $80. I did see some at Kmart. They were $89, called Kodiak. They good? Or crap?

      I'm not that big. 164cm height.

      • monty.melb on 24/07/2015 - 17:51
        +2

        Better try Cash converters. They do have bikes under $50. If you don't mind used bikes.

      • PVA on 24/07/2015 - 18:09

        we have bought a few kmart ones over the years, nothing wrong with them. Of course they aren't super quality but they work and last.
        building is OK, not much to do with them.
        kodiak would be fine.

  • Axelstrife on 24/07/2015 - 17:56

    http://www.bigw.com.au/product/dunlop-armour-26-inch-mens-mo…

    idk much about bikes either but it's probably the same as anything cheap = cheap.

    I have one similar which cost me $59 from big w was ok but brakes squealed.

  • scrimshaw on 24/07/2015 - 17:57
    +1

    Any thoughts on this one? Looks like the same stuff they sell in department stores.

    http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Southern-Star-Mens-Urban-Cruiser-…

    • PVA on 24/07/2015 - 18:12

      looks fine and is cheap.
      I guess its pickup so go check it out first.
      There will be lots around like this, second hand stores will have them.

  • [Deactivated] on 24/07/2015 - 17:57
    +5

    Gumtree is pretty good, just type in your suburb and a 10km radius, generally a fair few bike for sale and at great prices

  • me786 on 24/07/2015 - 18:03
    +1

    For easy daily commuting I would prefer a light bike (less than 10Kg) like hybrid bike: wheel size 700c, at least light aluminum body. You can buy Carbon body but they are very expensive.
    There are cheap bikes made from iron pipes they are relatively heavy and slow. Also they may be bad for joints. However depends on individual choice and budget.

      • me786 on 24/07/2015 - 18:22

        Does this happen to you? :-)

    • scrimshaw on 24/07/2015 - 18:43

      too much trouble to wear lycra, would have to pack my formal clothing into a bag whicl will crumple.

      It is only a 15 minute ride to the station, why would I need to wear lycra?

        • RockyRaccoon on 28/07/2015 - 18:25

          And if successful he'd miss the train!

  • thewheat on 24/07/2015 - 18:13
    +1

    Perhaps try find a local bike shed or similar that sells cheap 2nd hand bikes and perhaps even teach you how to fix them. 2 examples that I know of

    • RockyRaccoon on 24/07/2015 - 21:20

      Considering his ebay deal is at revesby in NSW I think this maybe too far away

  • [Deactivated] on 24/07/2015 - 19:45

    dude, get a good bike. All you need is some failure on a busy road and you're road kill. At least get it checked out by a mechanic if you are getting a pre-loved peddly. I used to cycle down the pacific highway in northern Sydney, there was zero space for error as I battled fleets of 4wds for my piece of asphalt.

  • altomic on 24/07/2015 - 19:46

    freecycle.

  • Baysew on 24/07/2015 - 20:23

    Watch out for Scrimshaw on this https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/204265)

  • RockyRaccoon on 24/07/2015 - 21:27

    If you are not handy and have no experience with bikes before, which is probably the case as you wouldn't be aksing stuff here, then stick to a new cheapy.

    They will at least be set up relatively well.

    Buying secondhand can be a problem if you get one that needs adjustment like with the gears or brakes. I do my own maintenance and that saves money. My friend used to have to go to the bike shop for servicing. He paid $35 for each new tyre to be fitted, which was $70 vs the $50 I paid for my Aldi bike (reduced by 50%). Even at full price of $100 it would have been better for him to buy the new bike.

    But given that you will need to assemble the cheapy unless the store can do that for you. Some do.

    Dont forget the helmet!

    • mskeggs on 24/07/2015 - 22:01
      +2

      I think the absolute opposite. The bigw bikes are poorly configured from the factory and absolutely need adjustment to work properly and be safe. The kid assembling bikes at bigw doesn't know anything about bike maintenance either.
      A 2nd hand bike might need the same adjustment, but more likely has been reasonably set up if somebody has been riding it. There are plenty of videos on youtube of how to do bike maintenance, and it is pretty straight forward.
      My suggestion is to spend slightly more, like $120-$150 and get a second hand name brand bike from gumtree. The quality is superior and the durability will be better.

    • altomic on 25/07/2015 - 00:58

      you can youtube everything you need to know about bicycle maintenance.

  • altomic on 25/07/2015 - 00:53

    check out op shops and garage sales as well. look on community notice boards (put up your own wanted ad).

    is your ride to the station hilly or flat?

    oh yeah. as you are riding in a suit/work clothes then make sure the bike has mud guards. If you are riding in or after rain and hitting puddles then you don't want a nice wet muddy streak up your back.

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