Cheap used runaround

[Andy_Pagin]

I'm considering getting a bicycle for nothing more exciting than a cheap short distance runaround for nipping to the local shops etc. How much should I pay for a used unknown-brand mountain bike? Nothing special in okay condition, or am I better off going for a new Halfrauds cheapo. Last time I bought a new bicycle was in 1979 so I'm a bit out of touch.
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Yamaha Vity -> YBR125 -> FZS600 Fazer -> FZ1-S Fazer

[sickpup]

How tall are you?

[duhawkz]

Should be able to pick up a mountain bike shaped object from wilco motorsave or halfords for about £70-99ish

You will be able to a get a cheep runabout off from scumtree or your local facebook bikes forsale group for £30-50 if your not looking for anything special
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"The guy is a worthless cunt and I honestly believe I would be a slightly happier person if he died." - Chris-Red

[Andy_Pagin]

[M.C]

Same size/leg measurement as myself. You'll want a 49cm frame. Avoid the cheap bikes from Halfords etc., they're appalling. Picture the rear wheel collapsing when you go down curb.

Second-hand's the way to go if you want anything decent. I got my last bike (a Barracuda) new for a little over £100 (RRP was £180) as it had a scratch on the frame. It's been alright, but anything for ~£100 will be awful.

[Bloggsy]

Have a look on Gumtree usually lots of used bikes on there

[M.C]

[UnknownStuntm...]

[M.C]

[G]

If you can stretch to £125-£200 you should have some very respectable options second hand if you don't mind keeping an eye out.

Over the last few years I've had:
Giant Globe town bike/hybrid (£125, ridden twice before I owned it, RRP £300).

4 year old Giant Defy 2 road bike £170. Well maintained, though definitely used. Not had to change anything on it so far and had it for a year with regular use. Original RRP £1k.

Charge Grater hybrid - £170 delivered (he was local). 7 months old, decent nick. RRP £600 or something.

If you're not planning on going off-road, I'd go for a road or hybrid bike.

I did the mountain bike thing on the road. Then the hybrid - and realised that actually, oddly enough, a proper road bike most suited me for riding on the road .

Also a few years ago got a budget Halfords 'mountain bike' for use at Glastonbury. Couldn't find a cheap secondhand one and wanted something that wouldn't be the end of the world if it was stolen. Had various issues first festival, despite the terrain being incredibly mild.

[M.C]

What are Giant bikes like now? I had one years ago and it was solid, then I was loaned one recently and it was horrid (really cheap quality/components).

That's the thing, £200 might get you an ok-ish new bike, but second hand you can get some really good stuff. I got a nearly new Boardman MX for £170 off eBay, until the seller pretended it was stolen and relisted it , but I've seen a number go for ~£200. A pal got a Ribble for £200 (again nearly new).

[G]

What new Giant was it?

Both of the two I had I've been very pleased with - both around 2012.
(The Defy 2 definitely is - the Globe was stolen some time ago, because West Yorkshire.)
However the Defy is a fairly high spec as you'd expect for a £1k rrp. (Edited my post to note the Defy is a road bike not hybrid.)

Instead of putting prices up, these days they seem to be regressing components.

So bikes at a price point that'd previously come with a 9 speed rear cassette are now on 8 speed a couple of levels down.
(Though to counter that, to some degree the designs of components are moving down levels as the top ones advance.)

[M.C]

[Pjay]

For getting to the shops and short journeys, I'd look at a singlespeed/fixie type bike.
Next to no maintenance and nothing much to worry about if you leave it sitting about for 6 months.

[G]

Problem with the single speed/fixie is the cost in replacing your wardrobe with tight jeans and so on .

[Ste]

There's nothing much to worry about if you leave any push bike sitting for 6 months.

[Pjay]

[M.C]

I've kept my bike (indoors) for a year unused and not had any issues. That's one really good thing about bicycles, no flat batteries

[Omega]

I wouldn't spend more than around £50. Much more than that and you might as well buy something new. Decathlon is worth a look if you're after cheap but decent without messing about second hand. My £200 Rockrider 5.2 from there has lasted years and thousands of miles with next to no maintenance.

[Derivative]

Mountain bike for the shops? Do you live in South Africa?

I'd spend ~100 on something off gumtree. Consider the petrol/bus fare savings, don't go daft in case it's nicked.

[duhawkz]

[spnorm]

[M.C]

Mountain bikes.