Request: Bicycle

4000Holes

Looking for a cheap bike. Went into my local bike shop today and almost had a fit when I saw the prices. Nothing under €220! Anyway, looking for something around the €120 mark. Any cheap bike shops around?

gamer

shop near black church cabra past adult shop 400 yards approx on left handside as u go away from town, med size mountain bike 80e as new, sh bikes very good condition, 90 or 100euro,also shop middle dorset st past gwd past spar left hand side , sells second hand bikes mountain racer 90e approx. or aldi get new bikes in every 4 months 130e adult size.approx.also little sport opposite fairview park,sh bikes 100, or u.ll get great bike as new 90e in blackberry market rathmines sat sunday after 10am til 6pm, haggle u,ll get good price, make sure test gears and brakes,3blokes there selling bikes, upto u to test it buyer beware.if u pay 100e u,ll get beatiful 15gearmountain bike there,stock varys every week,ask for a receipt,bikes outside record cd shop on left or at front entrance.careful,some are rusty ,brakes faulty, GET 1 IN AS NEW CONDITION.OR try buynsell.net

monster_fighter

A cheap bike = FALSE ECONOMY

Unless you don't plan on riding it.

Parts on cheap bikes are, well.... cheap... - they wear out in a fraction of the time than do better parts (I'm not joking here, the factor can be 10X or more).

Have you seen the price of individual bike parts?
The much more expencive to buy on their own than build on to the bike from the start.

Not worth it - spend €250-300 on a Trek 3700 (or better) or a Specialized

4000Holes

monster_fighter wrote:

A cheap bike = FALSE ECONOMY

Unless you don't plan on riding it.

Parts on cheap bikes are, well.... cheap... - they wear out in a fraction of the time than do better parts (I'm not joking here, the factor can be 10X or more).

Have you seen the price of individual bike parts?
The much more expencive to buy on their own than build on to the bike from the start.

Not worth it - spend €250-300 on a Trek 3700 (or better) or a Specialized

I only want it for about 30 minutes a day...is it really worth the extra money? I saw the bikes in Argos for €140...are they really, really crap?

Enduro

I only want it for about 30 minutes a day...is it really worth the extra money? I saw the bikes in Argos for €140...are they really, really crap?

I presume that 30 minutes a day is a comute. All that time on the bike will add up over the course of a year. Many components on a bike wear out over time, especially everything to do with the drivetrain (chainrings, chain, rear cogs, derailuer cogs...). You gets what you pay for. on any bike you buy new for less than about 500 Euro they will most likely wear really quickly.

Any new bike for sale for 140 Euro is a complete load of crap. It'll weigh a ton and disintrigrate rapidly.

What kind of bike are you looking to buy. There a several major type of bikes, designed for different uses. There are road racing bikes (very light and fast, but relatively delicate and the most likely to leave you with back ache), commuter bikes (designed for comfort, rather than speed or off-road worthiness), mountain bikes (real ones, not the cheap toys, which are designed to survive off-road conditions. Tough, fairly comfortable to ride, but not as fast as road racers). There are also hybrid bikes that are like a cross between a mountain bike and a commuter bike, but I wouldn't recommend these to anyone. If there is going to be any off road use, just get a mountain bike.

I know a lot more about mountain bikes than any other type. I have two, one for commuting (40 minutes a day) and one for real mountain biking. Mountain bikes make good commuter bikes in Dublin, as the conditions of the roads can be fairly awful. Personally, I wouldn't expect to pay any less than 700 Euro for a new mountain bike, even a relatively low specced one for commuting. A Specialised Hardrock or a low end Trek are good examples of these types of bikes. I'd expect the frame on these bikes to last for years and years (even mountainbiking), and the drivetrain components to last a long time (at least a year or two at 30 minutes a day).

THe cheapest way to buy a new bike is to get one on the internet. Its much cheaper than the local bike shops. But you'd need to have a reasonable amount of bike knowledge to go down this route.

Don't let the initial cost of getting a bike deter you. I commute by bike every day, in every weather. Its a great way to travel. I love it. Its extremely flexible, relatively cheap, and one of the fastest ways to get around Dublin (I spend most of my time passing cars and buses). Its also excellent exercise. Even 30 minutes a day will make a difference to your health and fitness.

Ardent

Enduro wrote:

THe cheapest way to buy a new bike is to get one on the internet. Its much cheaper than the local bike shops. But you'd need to have a reasonable amount of bike knowledge to go down this route.

Any sites that you'd recommend, who'd deliver to Ireland?

blobert

Commuting Sollutions in Rathmines have a fairly crap mountain bike for about €135. It's not great but it would probably do the trick. I, like other people recommend you spend a bit more on a better bike, it really is worth it.

If you are anywhere near Rathmines pop into the aforementioned shop. They are by far the most helpful and friendly people to buy bikes from (I've been to most shops around Dublin at this stage and met a lot of unpleasant people).

Stay away from Penny Farthing Cycles (where I bought my bike) They are quite the bastards and will only be helpfull until the point when you hand the money over to them...

Irish-trucker

i found penny farthing alright to buy a bike off (they fitted steel pedals etc for nothin ) but as regards to service - i left my previous bike for a service , it required new bearings in the rear suspension , and all they did was tighted the shi* out of the nut , rung it , and basically got €20 for doing nothin :mad:

so buy a bike there - but DONT get it serviced there ! :rolleyes:


all the best - john

monster_fighter

Ardent wrote:

Any sites that you'd recommend, who'd deliver to Ireland?

Yeah, sorry should have posted links.

When I was looking for a bike 6 months ago I found
http://www.evanscycles.com/ to be the cheapest.

Though Cycleogical (spelling?) on the Quays, which is usually a rippoff, was actually competitive on the Treks.

Now is the time to buy as the old models (last years) are being sold off a a decent discount.

b

Saruman

2 places i can suggest are JJB sports. for €150 you can get a Dakota bike with full suspension. got one for the wife. Wanted one of the reboks with front suspension but ALL of them were faulty and they keep getting them back for the same gear faults (that was €235).
I went to Eurocycles then on the longmile road and got a Eurotrek (raleigh) for €180. It is aluminium and pretty damn light. has front suspension. All the sales are on now especially at Eurocycles so buy now.

Since today is the only dry day so far since we got them, will not know what they are like to cycle till later today

gamer

U,ll get mountain bike as new in cabra shop or very good mountain bike ,in market ,outside cd software shop blackberrymarket, 90 or 100 perfect condition as new standard ,but u gotta test brakes gears cos these are not professionals ,they always have 2 or 3 really good bikes perfect condition, change gears do gears see if gear seloctor moves back and forth along rear wheel cog,there as well as 20 mediocre bikes,use ur intelligence u and inspect test em out as much as u want,put bike upside down to test gears ,turn back wheel round fast ,and change gears,see does it move along rear cog wheel ,look at brandname on bike, i had 20 bikes, i find bikes with gearselector on handlebar more reliable,oldertype trigger gears tend to break or wearout after few years,i fix bikes i know wehat i,m talking about,just cos u get bike 4 90euro doesnt mean its crap.bike with 10 gears easier to maintain.rather than 20gears.

MikeHunt

Argos

gamer

I dont think theres anything wrong with bikes in argos .i,m just trying to save u 40 euro, i have seen beautiful bikes in market in as NEW PERFECT CONDITION, 20 GEARS WITH CARRIER .its just no gaurantee there u get receipt, its up to u to test em out gears brakes,,THIS IS NOT ROCKET SCIENCE, u dont need to be einstein to test gears brakes etc. get good lock ubar 25euro bikes just disappear in dublin.make sure no signs of rust, i can check a bike in 5minutes.make sure ask FOR WRITTEN RECEIPT signed with date.otherwise u might get get stopped by garda ,law says u must get receipt when buying any item from anyone especially car or bike ,motorbike.theres bloke there cdshop sells bikes ,u will get receipt ,he is reliable honest owner of cdshop there.its a nice place to go sat sunday i buy cds tapes books and mags there also pc ps2 games originals ,its nice to browse if u like reading or music cds or even vinyl records.

cubix

Have to agree with some of the others regarding cheap bikes=short life. The only thing I can say is if you are adament about spending as little as possible i would buy new locally as possible so when something goes wrong (and it will) you can bring it back and avail of the 12month warranty. So if you get a years commute out of it wont be bad for €150, if you base it on 45wk year*5dy's a week it should only cost you €0.67c a day

ozt9vdujny3srf

ahh yes a 700 euro bike, lets take a trip to the real world, where lots of people cycle because they cant afford car insurace / running costs.

Where 700 euro bikes get stolen.

Where bikes now matter how expensive, still require invesment maintenance wise, and parts for more expensive bikes cost more.

Go into ucd some day and have a look at the bikes most people cycle and you'll see they get on grand with them. Then pop up to the bike shop there were they dont fleece you like some other bikeshops around.

cgarvey

gamer wrote:

law says u must get receipt when buying any item from anyone especially car or bike ,motorbike.

I'd love to know what law it is you're referring to?
.cg

gamer

I got 2 new bikes they got stolen,thieves go after new ones, get good old mountain bike get steel u lock 25euro and u,ll have it 4 5 years at least, get handlebar gear select,old style gears selectors can be vandalised or they just wear out,,too many thieves in dublin, i had 2inch padlock it still got broken.now i just use a ulock stainless steel ,ok as long as i dont leave bike locked in street overnight.they used to go 4 car stereos now bikes are the easiest to steal, u have to lock to pole or steel railing, theyll walk off with even a locked bike.NEW BIKES ATTRACT ATTTENTION.SUM PEOPLE even carry special tools for breaking padlocks roobing bikes its a mini business in dublin, like robbing mobile phones.or so ive heard.even if i got a new bike id swap it for old1 , nomatter what padlock i use doesnt seem to stop thieves,had to switch to hardened steel ulock.

gamer

expensive bikes parts very expensive very like too get robbed ,get standard mountain bike with handlebar gear selector,10 gears easier too maintain,20 gears bike tend to to break down repairs expensive.

Enduro

expensive bikes parts very expensive very like too get robbed ,get standard mountain bike with handlebar gear selector,10 gears easier too maintain,20 gears bike tend to to break down repairs expensive.

Do you have the slightest clue what your talking about? I have 2 27 speed bikes. The one with the more expensive compents has needed absolutely NO repairs (or even maintenance) since I set it up nearly a year ago. Good components = good quality = less likely to break down due to wear and tear etc. Its got very little to do with the number of gears. (I would say though, that for a commuting bike in Dublin that you don't actually need gears. I'd be happy to cycle around the roads of Dublin on a single speed bike. I only use 5 of my 27 gears when I'm commuting).

As to which style of gear shifter. Its a personal preference thing, but all the pros (road and mountain) use trigger shifters for a reason. As long as you get good quality shifters it doen't really matter. Quality trigger shifters don't wear out with time. Neither do quality grip shifters.

Yes it is more likely that a new bike will be stolen. But it doesn't matter whether it is a cheap or expensive bike. Cheap components wear out faster and are (a) less likely to work well to start with and (b) will wear out much more quickly.

AFAIK there are no knowledgable bike thieves in Ireland. For the most part they are just looking to fund their next hit. They wouldn't have a clue what a cheap or expensive bike/component is. Yes they can recognise new versus old. But they are more likely to nick a new cheap argos toy mountain bike than an old looking expensive road bike. Putting a load of muck onto a bike is more likely to be a better anti-theft strategy than having a spangly new, but cheap bike.

Oh and don't listen to gamer. when he says hat 10 gears are easier to maintain than 20 it really illustrates his cluelessness (As does his grammer).

^whitey^

4000Holes wrote:

I only want it for about 30 minutes a day...is it really worth the extra money?

YES, I have a trek 3600, solid bike, light, not one repair needed after 8 months use. If the roads are bad on your commute (ie potholes) maybe get a 3700 (has front shocks) for about 30E extra. You wont regret the extra money eithier way.

comanche

Enduro wrote:

There are also hybrid bikes that are like a cross between a mountain bike and a commuter bike, but I wouldn't recommend these to anyone. If there is going to be any off road use, just get a mountain bike.

All good points Enduro - disagree with you on the point of a hybrid though. With a hybrid you get the comfortable riding position of a mountain bike but the lightness of a roadbike.

I bought a Giant FCR after my mountain bike got stolen and really like it (only bad point is cheap twist shifts which I changed for rapid fires). Would have bought the Cannondale BadBoy if I had the money - sweet bike. What I would say about getting a hybrid is get good tyres or otherwise you will be fixing punctures all the time.

One piece of advise for you is to avoid suspension on a cheap bike - it adds unnecessary weight and also energy that you put into the pedals gets wasted in the suspension!

Good luck with the purchase, but Enduro is right, buy cheap and you will feel the pain!

Enduro

Commanche...

There's no doubt that the kind of Hybrids you're talking about make for very good commuting bikes on Irish roads. A pure commuting/ town bike would have an even more relaxed "sit up and beg" style riding position though.

Your other point are really excellent and would indeed make a big difference. Punctures are the most likely problem you're going to run in to when commuting. You can buy tyres which designed to be more punture resitant than usual. A bit heavier, but worth it in this case. Its also a good idea to buy a spare tube, tyre levers, and a mini pump (So you can get going again ASAP).If your wheel is not quick release you'll also need a spanner to get it off. I carry these with me in my rucksack when I'm cycling. On a 30-minute commute it might not be so necessary, as you can just walk the bike home if you get a puncture. Also, pump up your tyres really hard to reduce the chances of getting a punture in the first place.

Suspension on cheap bikes is worse than useless. It a huge extra weight (You pay big money for light, effective suspension), and is just going to be a glorified pogo-stick, and you pay extra for the privalege! The only time you need suspension is for off-road mountain biking.

Lawdie

http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp;jsessionid=7155A26F066F6250BD1757AF0D544601.tomcat2?style=4835

Guys,

(Taking earlier advice on buying online)

I am looking for a run around bike, something comfortable and reliable! Doing about 3 hours a week on average.

Also I'm 6'1" so the 22" frame??

Is this a good buy?

Thanks Lawdie

4000Holes

Thanks for all the help guys

I'm going to have a look in UCD later this week and see if there is anything there (within my budget...). Else it's Argos for me There is no way I could afford anything over €200 on a bike.