Ideal second hand bike for newbie rider?
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Ideal second hand bike for newbie rider?
Postby scubaal » Tue Jul 08, 2014 12:22 am
Does anyone have any recommendations on the type (or brand and model) of bikes that'd be good for a complete newbie?
I will be mainly using it for leisure road rides with my friends and missus on a weekend, and maybe use it for fitness and commute to work later down the track. At this stage I don't see myself using it more than 2-3 times a month, so I don't want to spend too much here. I've a budget of around $130 or thereabouts for a second hand bike.
I've looked on Gumtree but there are so many on sale, and I don't know which ones are suitable for me. I *think* I should get a Hybrid bike? Have no idea about frame/wheel size or material.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!
- rodneycc
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Re: Ideal second hand bike for newbie rider?
Postby rodneycc » Tue Jul 08, 2014 1:07 pm
Bike fit is all important so make sure you get the right size/fit above all else.
Giant is probably the most common brand bike around and you see a few on Ebay/Gumtree (maybe use Gumtree over Ebay so you can go and have a look at it easier). But you might find a cheap Roam or Cypress for about $200 that might be good.
I could go into a heap of technical stuff about wheels/frame etc but I think you are better off looking that stuff up yourself when you have time.
Anyway good luck. Cheers Rod.
PS If you are willing to up your budget then I recommend going into a Cell Bikes store or a Reid Cycles store to assist your needs.
2013 Lynskey Helix;2013 XACD Ti Di2
2013 Giant TCR Adv SL1;2014 Giant Defy Adv SL
- bychosis
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Re: Ideal second hand bike for newbie rider?
Postby bychosis » Tue Jul 08, 2014 1:38 pm
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Re: Ideal second hand bike for newbie rider?
Postby scubaal » Thu Jul 10, 2014 11:16 pm
What about these:
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/willough ... 1051004047" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/chatswoo ... 1051364713" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
- rangersac
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Re: Ideal second hand bike for newbie rider?
Postby rangersac » Fri Jul 11, 2014 12:34 am
- bychosis
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Re: Ideal second hand bike for newbie rider?
Postby bychosis » Fri Jul 11, 2014 6:17 am
The second link are def kmart bikes. Stay away.
There are probably better options.
- rodneycc
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Re: Ideal second hand bike for newbie rider?
Postby rodneycc » Fri Jul 11, 2014 9:16 am
http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/sydney-c ... 1051398789" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
2013 Lynskey Helix;2013 XACD Ti Di2
2013 Giant TCR Adv SL1;2014 Giant Defy Adv SL
- outnabike
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Re: Ideal second hand bike for newbie rider?
Postby outnabike » Fri Jul 11, 2014 11:07 am
There was a large robbery last week of Merida bikes so watch out for them; they will be on the market some where soon.
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Re: Ideal second hand bike for newbie rider?
Postby tron07 » Fri Jul 11, 2014 11:57 am
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Re: Ideal second hand bike for newbie rider?
Postby twowheels » Fri Jul 11, 2014 4:04 pm
Make sure you know what you are looking at before you get along to an auction though , set your limit & stick with it.
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Re: Ideal second hand bike for newbie rider?
Postby scubaal » Fri Jul 11, 2014 7:26 pm
Thanks for the advice. Are there any other reputable brands I should be looking at apart from Giant?
I've come across this one: http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/pymble/b ... 1051428042" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. Is this any good?
Cheers
- bychosis
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Re: Ideal second hand bike for newbie rider?
Postby bychosis » Fri Jul 11, 2014 7:50 pm
As for other brands, pretty much anything sold by a proper bike shop. Giant, Merida, trek, avanti are a few reputable brands.
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Re: Ideal second hand bike for newbie rider?
Postby koshari » Fri Jul 11, 2014 9:35 pm
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Re: Ideal second hand bike for newbie rider?
Postby twowheels » Mon Jul 14, 2014 12:14 pm
- lift wheels off ground (one at a time) and spin. check that wheel does not wobble from side to side by checking distance from fork/frame or better still pencil
- check gears go through full range
- check brakes
all above can (often) be corrected relatively easily at home, but great if you can pay and ride straight away. Also gives an indication of maintenance.
- also check wheels do not rotate as an egg or oval, not so easy to fix
- PS also check bearings, wheel, headset & bottom bracket, eg hold wheel at top & try to move from side to side, should not notice looseness, hold pedal move side to side, should not notice looseness, apply front brake, try to move bike back & forth, should not notice looseness. (check google/youtube for more detail, sure to be heaps of info)
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