Shops selling 2nd hand bikes - Dublin

neris

Are there any bike shops in Dublin that sell 2nd hand bikes

glennbhoy

rothar, google it

thread ended.....

mick121

why not try the boards.ie site here?

mick121

sorry ment adverts.ie

Holyboy

+1 on Rothor, they only sell second hand bikes, but I wouldn't expect to buy something that actually works from them, be prepared to spend some money having it serviced in another shop to get it up to speed if you do buy from them!
There's very few shops around that will sell you a good second hand bike,IMO.

coolbeans

Holyboy wrote: »

+1 on Rothor, they only sell second hand bikes, but I wouldn't expect to buy something that actually works from them, be prepared to spend some money having it serviced in another shop to get it up to speed if you do buy from them!
There's very few shops around that will sell you a good second hand bike,IMO.

Rothar sell fully serviced, refurbished bikes for not very much. Haven't known any to be poor as you describe.

it's mick

coolbeans wrote: »

Rothar sell not very well serviced, old bikes for not very much. Haven't known any to be 100% right.

Fixed that for you... in my experience anyway.

A Neurotic

I bought my bike second hand and in perfect condition from Little Sports in Marino. Lovely people, have been really helpful whenever I go back for bits and pieces.

Holyboy

coolbeans wrote: »

Rothar sell fully serviced, refurbished bikes for not very much. Haven't known any to be poor as you describe.

I send people to Rothar pretty much every day if they're looking for second hand bikes, I think what they are doing is great but the quality of the bikes I have seen (probably twenty or so in the last few months) is awful, they seem to be quite literary thrown together from what ever parts they seem to have around whether they are compatible are not.
Also the owners of ALL of the bikes I've seen have said they will never go back to Rothar, I will keep sending people there but always warning that what ever they buy will probably need some work to get it road worthy or at least working well.

DCU lad

square wheel cycles templebar

its fulla them

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cianginty/2259473130/

Holyboy

DCU lad wrote: »

square wheel cycles templebar

its fulla them

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cianginty/2259473130/

That would be THE square wheel and the same goes for them(him) as for Rothar, Ciaran is a really lovely man but I've come across some awful bikes that have come from there,but you've gotta love him,odd as he is;)

GlennaMaddy

neris wrote: »

Are there any bike shops in Dublin that sell 2nd hand bikes

Swords cycle on North St Swords

dethklok

I wouldn't go to the square wheel. I was building up a second hand bike last summer, and i got him to put the crank on for me. On the bikes maiden voyage, the left crank arm fell off. 6 miles from home. In the rain....

brians947

Humphries in finglas. Been around for years. Give them a buzz see what they have in stock.

JMJR

A couple of points on this one
One Dublin repair shop dissing their competition without declaring their interest. Nice one, maybe next time Holyboy could be more upfront about agendas.
Secondly this is a bit more than dissing, but a claim that any bike bought from the competition will not be roadworthy. Thats a very very serious accusation and I'm surprised that the moderators have let it stand.
Thread reported.
John

Holyboy wrote: »

That would be THE square wheel and the same goes for them(him) as for Rothar, QUOTE]

Holyboy wrote: »

....always warning that what ever they buy will probably need some work to get it road worthy or at least working well.

Holyboy wrote: »

+.but I wouldn't expect to buy something that actually works from them, .QUOTE]

Captain Havoc

Holyboy wrote: »

+1 on Rothor, they only sell second hand bikes, but I wouldn't expect to buy something that actually works from them, be prepared to spend some money having it serviced in another shop to get it up to speed if you do buy from them!
There's very few shops around that will sell you a good second hand bike,IMO.

Holyboy wrote: »

I send people to Rothar pretty much every day if they're looking for second hand bikes, I think what they are doing is great but the quality of the bikes I have seen (probably twenty or so in the last few months) is awful, they seem to be quite literary thrown together from what ever parts they seem to have around whether they are compatible are not.
Also the owners of ALL of the bikes I've seen have said they will never go back to Rothar, I will keep sending people there but always warning that what ever they buy will probably need some work to get it road worthy or at least working well.

Holyboy wrote: »

That would be THE square wheel and the same goes for them(him) as for Rothar, Ciaran is a really lovely man but I've come across some awful bikes that have come from there,but you've gotta love him,odd as he is;)

Have to agree with JMJR, it is bad form to be be commenting on competition like that, I've never done it here, in fact I've never commented on my own business here. I think we've ruled out the posibility of you complaining if anyone has any negative views on the shop you work in.

Lumen

Whilst I would be quite happy paying €250 for a ten year old racer in good condition, I know enough to buy one privately.

I'd guess that most people who walk into a bike shop looking for a second hand bike know little about bikes and are on an extremely tight budget, or else they'd buy privately or get a new one for €200 in Halfords. They're probably looking for a €50-€100 beater. In order for a shop to be knocking out serviceable bikes at that price they'd need to get the stock for free and cannibalise parts, and then mechanic wages would eat into the margin.

I guess I'm asking if it's even possible to run a viable city centre business which sells good quality cheap used bikes.

Doctor Bob

I was a bit surprised to see those comments on the shops too, but more due to the commenter's background than due to the veracity of his observations, i.e. where there's a conflict of interest, or even the perception of a conflict of interest, I think it's incumbent on the poster to declare it (although to be fair, most regulars would know where Holyboy plies his trade).

Having said that, I'd have to partly echo (with a somewhat heavy heart) the comments on Rothar, although not those on Square Wheel.

I've used Square Wheel on and off for over 10 years, and I've never had a complaint about the quality of the workmanship or the honesty of the assessments. My only issue is Kieran's time-keeping! But knowing that a day is often two days, and 10 am is sometimes 11 am, if I need a quick turnaround I go elsewhere. If time's not of the essence and/or cost is a factor, I'd usually swing by the shop to see how he's fixed.

Regarding Rothar, I've waved a flag for the place for quite a while, though a few people I know would back up the previous negative comments regarding bikes bought there- in each case, the bike needed a bit of tweaking after purchase, and in one case it needed a €30 stem (sourced, with a bit of difficulty, from - guess who! - Kieran in Temple Bar ). It mightn't sound like much, but added to €150 for the bike and it starts to seem like not such a good deal, especially when places such as the Dublin Bike Depot in Rathmines (of which I've no experience, I should add) are making similar offers for quite a bit less money. And that's before you start to consider an entry-level hybrid, which at least has some potential re-sale value to further offset the higher initial cost...

So I'd agree with JMJR that bike shop employees should either declare an interest or keep schtum (though I don't think Holyboy has/had an agenda with his comments), but I'd also agree with Holyboy regarding (some aspects of) Rothar.

(For balance, it's worth mentioning that I know a good few people who've bought parts from Rothar that would have been difficult or impossible to find elsewhere, and one lad who has barely stopped smiling since he bought his - roadworthy - bike from them a few months ago.)

rflynnr

Doctor Bob wrote: »

to be fair, most regulars would know where Holyboy plies his trade).

Without wishing to undermine the generous spirit of Doctor Bob's comment, I'd be cautious about this mitigating comment, suggesting that regular posters/readers would know where Holyboy was coming from. I didn't and although I've not posted much in recent months I've been a fairly avid reader since 2008.

Although I see little in the Holyboy's comments to suggest any malice on his part, I do think it's incumbent on posters to declare an interest in this situation. Indeed, I would suggest that it adds weight to such contributions since it makes it clear that the poster has nothing to hide.

Again let me stress that I'm not arguing with the substance of Holyboy's contribution: I've used both Rothar and Square Wheel but have never bought a whole bike off either so am not competent to comment on their reliability in that regard.

Captain Havoc

I would just like to add, Holyboy has his shop in his sig. If he didn't, there would be a very lengthy ban, so I don't see an issue with that. He is entitled to make those comments as much as I entitled not to agree with the spirit of them.

Lumen

Posting shop recommendations is a bit of a minefield.

I would generally avoid slagging off shops for obvious reasons, but I've posted recommendations on here before that I subsequently wanted to withdraw due to bad service or stuff failing that worked when I first got it.

If three people say good things about a shop and everyone else keeps silent, that seems like a glowing recommendation.

Dunno what the solution is.

**Timbuk2**

Is it unreasonable to get a fully working beater bike for between €50 to €100 second hand from places like Rothar, Square Wheel, or indeed just normal bike shops?

Could anyone recommend any good shops selling 2nd hand bikes in Dublin South, near UCD for example. I know there is some sort of bike shop in UCD Belfield, but I'm not sure what it is like, the only other one I know of is Daly's in Dundrum (and I don't know if they do second hand bikes).

DirkVoodoo

**Timbuk2** wrote: »

Is it unreasonable to get a fully working beater bike for between €50 to €100 second hand from places like Rothar, Square Wheel, or indeed just normal bike shops?

Could anyone recommend any good shops selling 2nd hand bikes in Dublin South, near UCD for example. I know there is some sort of bike shop in UCD Belfield, but I'm not sure what it is like, the only other one I know of is Daly's in Dundrum (and I don't know if they do second hand bikes).

UCD bike shop is ok if unspectacular. It's small and really only caters to the penniless student and summertime tour operators. Don't go in looking for the latest carbon machines, although I'm sure they can order one in.

They build and service the bikes for a cycle-tour crowd that operate during the summer months. Before term starts, they repair the bikes and sell them on for cheap to students. They used to be Trek T30s I think, not sure what they sell now or if they even do it anymore.

Doctor Bob

rflynnr wrote: »

Without wishing to undermine the generous spirit of Doctor Bob's comment, I'd be cautious about this mitigating comment, suggesting that regular posters/readers would know where Holyboy was coming from. I didn't and although I've not posted much in recent months I've been a fairly avid reader since 2008.

I did wonder about that bit as I was riding home alright, although moreso because this is the kind of thread that might attract hits from a search for 'second hand bike dublin' or similar, so new/non-members wouldn't know posters' backgrounds. Either way, agreed- a mitigation too far.

(I can't help feeling a bit sorry for Holyboy though- there's an element of 'damned if you do, damned if you don't'. [Hi Holyboy! Poor you! ] And if I'm not mistaken, he got an early wrist slap for promoting his shop, so maybe it's a delicate subject... But enough conjecture from me.)

A minefield indeed.

Holyboy

Apologies if any one thinks my comments were out of line, the OP asked a question and I gave my honest opinion, I have no agenda, I'm not looking to take business away from any other shop, as I already said, I send people to Rothar on a daily basis and The square wheel to, BUT I'm very big on safety as regulars will know. I'm not allowed to mention any details of my business,this was made very clear when I started posting so declaring where I'm from or what I do I presume is a no,no! I'm not even sure if this post will be removed!
All I can say is people bring their bikes to me with problems, I explain what's wrong and how much it will be to put right, a few will say that they only purchased the bike from some where, whether it be the internet, a shop, or some kid on a street corner, if it happens to be a shop I always recommend they return there to see if they can remedy the issues for them but a lot will explain they have been back many times and their bike still does not work, I suppose I only see a small amount of the bikes sold in the city so maybe my comments where slightly on the harsh side.
I do not claim to be the best bicycle mechanic in the world, I've been doing it for 13 years and I'm still learning every day but the OP asked a question and I gave my opinion on what I thought he would expect to get.
I think in future I WILL just keep stum.

Mods is this post OK?
Feel free to edit or remove.

Dara.

rflynnr

I'd be very disappointed if Holyboy felt he couldn't post on this kind of subject and even more so if any moderator felt that his post (immediately above) was problematic. Obviously he brings the kind of expertise that this makes this forum so useful.

My point was that, in the interests of transparency (and with a broader view to facilitating useful debate), potential conflicts of interest should be declared before anyone makes comments which might otherwise be seen as self-interested. This would allow readers to judge such posts on their intrinsic merits.

Holyboy

Just to add some thoughts (after a couple of glasses of wine as I'm not a fitness addict like some of ye:D) before I left this country about eight years ago, people weren't really into bikes and didn't care much about the quality of repairs, but where I found my self (London,they REALLY did) I learnt a lot there and then decided to return home and was pleasantly surprised how Ireland had embraced the bicycle but I don't think the industry has caught up yet, places like this and just the internet in general has opened peoples eyes to what's out there, you can find out any thing about all bicycle related things but putting that into practice is another matter,I was very out spoken about the quality of work in some London shops (including a sister shop of the one I worked in) and I will do the same here if I feel the need (though maybe this isn't the best platform for it) people deserve value for money and good service by people that know and take pride in what they are doing, if I see bad workmanship I will point it out and I feel people on here are no different to people that come through my door, I have just said what I feel they should expect!
Maybe I came across as slagging off the said shops but I respect what both do but I still stand by my earlier posts.

DCU lad

@holyboy your talkin out your ears
threads about Shops selling 2nd hand bikes in Dublin- Not london

anyway a few others i know of are

mc comacks bike shop on dorset street seem to do loads of them
http://g.co/maps/mwv4

Mc quaids, as well as humpherys in finglas do have a few usually

staggs in lucan pretty good for them too

not many proper bike shops i know of take tradeins on lower end bikes anymore

if anyone knows of any others that are out there id be interested to know!

that said if you or know someone who you know; knows a bit about bikes id be looking on adverts/dondeal/gumtree

petethedrummer

DCU lad wrote: »

@holyboy your talkin out your ears
threads about Shops selling 2nd hand bikes in Dublin- Not london

:rolleyes:
He was detailing his past experiences. Which are relevant to current experiences.

CramCycle

I got a great second hand bike from Freemans on Bath Avenue for100euro. Well impressed with them and fully serviced. Nice old raleigh racer, loved that bike.

DirkVoodoo wrote: »

UCD bike shop is ok if unspectacular.

I never found them very good in there, poor service with limited knowledge (may have just been the guys on the days), only used them in an emergency.

Captain Havoc wrote: »

I would just like to add, Holyboy has his shop in his sig. If he didn't, there would be a very lengthy ban, so I don't see an issue with that. He is entitled to make those comments as much as I entitled not to agree with the spirit of them.

I can't view sigs for some reason, can anyone tell me where holyboy works?

nicowa

beecycles.net - and if you go to your profile you can change your settings so you can see sigs.


http://dublin.gumtree.ie/c-Stuff-for-Sale-sports-leisure-travel-Bicycle-Auction-W0QQAdIdZ310029473

Won't make it a hyperlink. I was looking up bikes on gumtree - found one I liked the look of (ladies with basket - for leisure only... ) and sent the link onto himself. He sent back the above. Anyone know anything about it?

These are reclaimed bikes I'm assuming, but I'm wondering would they be cheaper than a secondhand bike somewhere else?

Lumen

nicowa wrote: »

These are reclaimed bikes I'm assuming, but I'm wondering would they be cheaper than a secondhand bike somewhere else?

There have been a few threads on the Garda auctions. General consensus is that they're full of overpriced crap (or presumably, since it's an auction, overbid crap).

Doctor Bob

For anyone looking for a second hand bike, I passed McDonald's bike shop on Wexford Street (just at the junction with Cuffe Street, for the uninitated) at lunchtime and noticed that they're selling ex-rental bikes for €125. I suspect you'd be hard pushed to find a better deal.

(And if it needs tweaking, you know where to go! )

Bicycle Hunter

Hi all,

This will be our first post on boards so forgive me if I'm bending any rules.

IF YOU ARE UNSURE OF THE RULES, CHECK BOTH THE FORUM AND SITE CHARTER, IF STILL NOT CLEAR PM ME OR ANOTHER MODERATOR

Mycroft H

Just going to throw my experiences out there regarding places that sell second hand bicycles.


Rothar? Well I found them rather expensive for what it was. About 6 moths ago I was searching for a racing frame and I contacted them. Over the phone they said they had a beautiful peugeot bike. I was interested and went over for a look. It was a tired, tired bike. They were putting a pick and mix of components on it of fairly questionable quality. For 290 euros I was expecting a near mint frame and good components. Not rubbish.

They sold my friend a fixie with a seized bottom bracket. Ehh I was not too impressed to be honest with that. However, there 5 euro an hour access to the workshop is handy as I would prefer to do things myself.

I also went to staggs in lucan. Mixed feelings with the place. The only second hand bike they had there was ok, but the whole time they were pushing me towards new stuff. Quite sad really. I've had poor servicing advice from them so I wont be going back. There not the place they once used to be.

Freemans is a nice place, they did not have a bike in my size but seemed like nice people in there.

All in all, second hand bikes seems to be odd one. Most shops wont even have them and those that do, the majority aren't worth the money. Stick to adverts/done deal.

Mimojo

Hi

Hoping to resurrect this thread.

Looking for a second hand bike in Dublin, preferably a city bike with a carrier or basket, dont want to spend a fortune as I going to have to park it outside work and where it will be left at this, so no point buying new and having it go awol!

I have tried T Delaney in Harolds Cross, lovely guy, just no second hands in at the moment, he does have a new one for 190 which I think is pretty reasonable so that is on the list.

Also mailed dublinbikeman and he has one that I think would do the job for 140, I guess I dont know much about bikes, would prefer to at least see a few and get a bit of advice.

This evening was planning to go to Bikes or Bicycles, and Penny Farthing Cycles on Camden Street. Any other suggestions?

Had a look on donedeal and although there are plenty there, I just dont feel like I know enough about what to look out for to chance buying one, only to have it fall apart after a week!

I am cycling about 3 miles e/w per day, all on bike paths so nothing major, just want some something sturdy and reliable really, especially in the winter months.

Thanks!

CramCycle

I was in P&K cycles awhile ago with an emergency buy and the girl behind the counter was really helpful and sound. She was working away on repairs but they definitely had a few 2nd hand bikes there and from the prices, did not seem to be too bad in terms of value.

My understanding is that they hold the bikes for the owners to show, charge them for any work done to get it to a sellable condition. They have a set price for the owner but you can leave the price you are willing to pay and they will get back to you, or at least that how it seemed.