Looking for a Commuter Bike under $400. Suggestions?

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  bobkin on 12/01/2019 - 23:16

  I haven't used any of the others but have a now 10 year old Avanti blade 2 hybrid that I bought second hand. It has been a fantastic bike for commuting, bike paths and moderate distance road rides. Mine was 5 years old when I bought it and I paid $270. I would definitely recommend one

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  Euphemistic on 13/01/2019 - 08:40

  +2

  Looks great, but again is it wise to spend $300 on a second hand while there are new ones out there.
  But then bike experts around internet say second hand great quality is better than brand new low quality build.

  This is absolutely true. Bikes are unlike a lot of consumer items. They are simple and reliable and they age well if well built. You definitely get what you pay for. Also, used bikes are typically priced at 50% or less than RRP.

  But second hand, especially for hybrid bikes. They are often bought as a start for a new rider and either quickly upgraded or parked up after not much use. If it looks in good condition there is unlikely to be anything that will cost a lot to keep it going, and if you are mechanically minded will be easy to DIY

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  Baghern on 13/01/2019 - 10:33

  +3

  I would look at 2nd hand.

  GUMTree, facebok market place even Ebay

  I accidentally came across Facebook marketplace and got a bike that was on there for two weeks. If the owner had chucked it on ebay he probably could have gotten twice the price. It was 2 years old… with 25kms on it… the lack of scratches and and wear and tear makes me believe the speedometer on it.

  The thing about bikes like any thing is knowing what you're buying. So research… and research some more.

  Australia/Sydney anyway seems to have a good 2nd hand market, a lot of people buying thinking they'll get some exercise… then going nahhh.

  They are simple and reliable and they age well if well built.

  This, a bike I came across on ebay for auction for $450 was 10 years old, lot of customization and quality parts, the guy lived near me so I visited him to check it out, it was a really nice. My research showed me this was a good bike… my lack of even more research meant I didn't know it was an exceptionally, ala worldwide unique bike. I lost the auction, where it were for $800 or so, I should have bidded at least $1k… if the buyer sold it overseas he would have gotten around 2k due, based on other sales and parts of it going for $1k alone

  I wouldn't buy a cheap new bike. They're cheap and nasty

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  Baghern on 13/01/2019 - 13:01

  Just looked at Facebook Marketplace for Sydney, decent bikes for $300 range.

  Facebook marketplace is like Gumtree, but with legitimate facebook accounts linked to it, I'd say it more trustworthy

  Also because less people are using it, prices seem to be a lot cheaper

  It comes across as a place to get rid of stuff without dealing with Ebay which Sellers are constantly complaining about

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  whooah1979 on 13/01/2019 - 13:58

  Aldi $150.

  https://www.productreview.com.au/p/crane-aldi-20-folding-bik…

  • 

    Euphemistic on 13/01/2019 - 20:32

    But don’t get a folding bike unless you need to fold it up at some point. If you can live with a full sized bike, it is a better option.

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  TheBilly on 13/01/2019 - 16:12

  Go 2nd hand

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  maximus1980 on 14/01/2019 - 12:35

  Thanks everyone. I guess it makes sense to buy second hand then.

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  maximus1980 on 18/01/2019 - 13:21

  +3

  ok so i did end up buying a second hand bike and added a new tube in front tyre. Perfect size, rides great, very light and fast - all for half the price of cheapest new bikes out there.