Waste of Money?

diarmuid05

Thinking of taking up cycling and am looking at getting an entry level bike to get started with.

Found these on Ebay

1
2

Now the plan is to see if i take to cycling or not.
(don't want to be one of those guys with a €1000 bike gathering dust in the shed)
So i'm trying to spend as little as possible now with a view to using the BTW scheme during the summer and getting something proper.

So are either of those bike decent enough to catch the cycling bug or should i be looking in the second hand market?

seamus

At a glance, no.

If your budget is €300ish, then a new bike at that price point is more likely to drive you away from cycling. Have a look around for a second-hand bike. You'll get an entry-level bike that's five years old for around €300. It'll be a nicer ride and last longer.

The bonus is also that when you get a better bike, you'll still want to ride the old one to work and such.

Actually here's a good deal that only went up yesterday:
http://www.adverts.ie/bikes/lapierre-audacio-200/1283840

Brand new, retails at €700. So if the bike is even 3 years old, that's a good deal. Just get the size and a few photos off him.

kenmc

13.5kg! My mountainbike weighs less than that!

CramCycle

Garda auctions are on in under a fortnight, not usually anything good but you could get lucky.

jameverywhere

Get a secondhand bike from Rothar. You go in, pick a frame that suits, and they build up a bike for you from secondhand parts. I paid 165 for a decent hybrid... I've changed parts since I got it, but if I only used it for commuting and not for longer trips into the country, I'd've never changed a thing on it.

Something from there will definitely tide you over till you get on the BTW scheme, plus you'll be supporting an awesome nonprofit and be recycling a bike (good for the environment or whatever).

Eamonnator

If you buy either of those bikes, you'll be one of those guys with a 300 euro bike, gathering dust in the shed.

rich.d.berry

100% Agreement with the sentiments so far.

Buy a second hand, decent bike that you won't mind sticking some proper mudguards, lights, rack and panniers on for commuting and/or shopping expeditions when you eventually decide to shell out for the new bike on the BTW scheme.

If the bug doesn't bite then you should be able to sell the bike again for nearly what you paid for it.

One bike is never enough once the bug bites! :cool:

diarmuid05

Thanks for all the replies guys,
Second hand seems to be the way to go.