Is it possible to buy a decent bike for £200-300?

Question

I'm talking about bicycle's not motorbikes, I know a lot of bikes can be quite expensive, but I only have that amount of money left, I used to buy bikes from JJB for around £150, but they all used to break down and end up being scrapped. I'm a complete novice, so help would be appreciated.

I'll be using it to ride about 6-8 miles a day, no major jumps or hills, maybe coming of a few curbs, but that's about it. I would like one that will last a couple of years atleast.

I don't really care too much about suspension, but I would prefer them, it needs good breaks, disc brakes are better than v-brakes, so i'd prefer them. It also has to have good strong wheels and atleast gears to 18 and it has to be an adult bike with 26" wheels, i'm about 5'7", so that should be about right.

So could anyone recommend where I could buy a bike from like that for the price I mentioned, I maybe able to go a bit higher, but only if I have to.

Answer 1

Go to a specialist bike shop, I bought a very nice "Hybrid" type bike for less than £300. Don't bother with shops like Halfords or JJB!

Answer 2

Yes, it is poss to buy a decent bike for this price.

If the most difficult of hazards are a couple of curbs, why would you want the added cost and weight of suspension? What gives you the idea that disc brakes are better than V brakes. It depends on the cost of the components.

May I suggest that a bike that is perhaps a year old and is being discounted by a top quality dealer may be the way to go. The choice is endless, so it will depend on personal preference. Try t'internet.

Answer 3

A shop that specialises in bikes is better =]

Answer 4

The first place I always go to is Halfords- they have plenty of good bikes in that price range and because there is such a competitive market a cheap price doesn't mean you're going to get a sub standard bike.

Edit- In my opinion if you stay away from big retailers as some have suggested you're avoiding the very outlets who have a vested interest in selling good quality at competitive prices. Smaller independent retailers just don't have the financial means to stock a wide range of good bikes at competitive prices.

Answer 5

I'm guessing £200 is in between $350-400 in U.S. dollars. Yes, you should be able to buy one around in that price range. I don't know where you live but try going to the different bike stores around where you live and ask them what they would recommend for your price range and what you prefer. Make sure you can try out the bikes first and go back once you made your decision.

Answer 6

Buy a bike between £200 and £400 ponds. You are guaranteed that these are the best type of bikes that you can get. As you know that if the price is higher for an item then you know that they have put a lot more money into making that particular item.

Answer 7

You've received some good advice here, but let me get a little more specific:

DO NOT buy your bike from a big retailer.  They know what people think is good and make their bikes with lots of fancy stuff like disc brakes and shocks, but terrible quality.  

DO go to a local bike store.  I'm in the US, so can't tell you what to look for, but if you're in the UK, I guarantee there's a bike show near where you live or work.  The smaller and more local, the better the service is my experience.  The prices are only a little bit more than the big store, but you will get so much better bike.  

I was just looking at bikes yesterday for a young friend in this price range and found several that were great for $500 which should be about 250 BP.  If you are riding to work or school, I would recommend the following:

Buy from a local shop

Get a steal frame is more comfortable than aluminum and better for commuting

Get Shimano (but not the 2200) or SRAM components

Do not get shocks - at your price range they will be very heavy and poor quality

Do not get disc brakes - at your price range they will be very heavy and poor quality

Answer 8

get a specialized hardrock, they are good!

Answer 9

Don't bother buying bikes from JJB or Asda or Aldi or any similar shop, Halfords are not so bad, but they're not a real bike shop either. It is also down to the make of bike, a £200 Trek for example would be much better than a £200 raleigh or Universal.

Don't expect to get disc brakes for that price, you will only just get the basic poor quality ones, and everything else on the bike will be rubbish.

If you or a friend know how to set up a bike from flat pack, there are some bargains to be had online such as evans cycles, but you would be better going to a trustworthy bike shop and pay £250 for a Trek.

But make sure you take it back for its (free?) follow up service, they will adjust the gear cables, head bearing, and spoke tension, otherwise the bike will deteriorate very quickly.

Use the "find a bike shop" option on the following page:

http://www.ultimatepursuits.co.uk/cyclin...

they only list decent shops:

Alternatively, you could get a real treasure second hand for £100 - £200, but you need to know what you're doing, and only buy low mileage real bikes made by the likes of GT, Trek, Specialized, Kona, Marin.

Answer 10

www.evancycles.co.uk

www.paulscycles.co.uk

www.rutlandcycling.co.uk

These should give you a good idea of what is out there.  I would look at either a road bike (Standard comfort with panniers, or race or hybrid).  

A standard road bike with a 700 wheel should do nicely for the sort of riding you are after.  Aluminium frame would be better and stick to branded gearing like SRAM or Shimano.

Luck

Answer 11

You can get a decent mid range hybrid or mountain bike for £300. Stay away from the big retailers and look for sale prices.