Advice for buying a second hand bike suitable for touring

Cycle-touring, Expeditions, Adventures, Major cycle routes NOT LeJoG (see other special board)
Hamsta
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Advice for buying a second hand bike suitable for touring

Post by Hamsta »

Hi guys,

Long time cyclist first time poster here, i've been off the road for a few years now (moved to Bristol, bike got stolen, been too lazy / broke to buy a new one) but i'm currently in the market for a second hand bike suitable for everyday cycling but also possibly to take on a few tours this summer. I'd like something that can handle a bit of rough and tumble, not any serious off road but i'm quite an aggressive cyclist and generally tend to take curbs etc pretty hard, so would like something that can stand up to that and also to some fairly light rough terrain - I was toying with the idea of cycling from Bristol through to Berkshire (county I grew up in) mainly along the canals.

In terms of where I wanted to tour, I'm thinking probably Western Europe to begin with - possibly the Camino di Santiago, routes of that nature, although I wouldn't mind branching out to paths less traveled in the future. I was wondering if anyone could shed any light on what I should be looking out for in the 'ideal' bike? I'm guessing either a hybrid or a mountain bike, something that can take panniers, something that has fairly standard parts that would be easily fixable / replaceable on the road. Is wheel size something that should be thought about? Same goes for handlebars, i'd like drop handlebars / some way to have an alternative cycling position - is this something that is fairly easy to upgrade to if not available straight away? Are there specific manufacturers I should be looking for / avoid (bit of an annoyingly vague question)?

Bear in mind that through my years of cycling i've been pretty slack on learning the more technical side of cycling (aim to fix that before any serious journeys) so laymans terms would be appreciated where possible (if not I can always google it). I've done a fair bit of research, but am finding the pure amount of bikes on Gumtree etc. quite intimidating, so i'm just looking for some guidance and advice really!

Thanks in advance for the help :)
mercalia
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Re: Advice for buying a second hand bike suitable for tourin

Post by mercalia »

I think u need to say how much u want to spend first of all? maybe your height and weight?
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b1ke
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Re: Advice for buying a second hand bike suitable for tourin

Post by b1ke »

For what you're describing you might want to look at 26 inch wheeled tourers. Depending on how fat your wallet is....

High end - Thorn Rohloff tourer - low maintenance, strong build, good range of sizes, very expensive.

Mid range - Surly Long Haul Trucker - purpose built touring bike with derailleur and braze ons for front and rear racks, bottle cage mounts, long wheel base. Still fairly pricey.

Cheap - old steel mountain bike. Kona, Orange, Specialized, etc.. Built for strength, some have rear rack mounts but normally not long wheel base so you'd need to mount panniers well back. If they have front mudguard eyes, you can fit front low rider with Tubus clamps. Very good option for anyone on a budget.

There are obviously loads of others to choose from, but hopefully a bit of food for thought in the list above.
http://www.farewellburt.wordpress.com - Europe on a Tandem....
http://www.thespokeandwords.wordpress.com - West Africa on a Tandem....
Hamsta
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Joined: 7 Apr 2014, 6:24pm

Re: Advice for buying a second hand bike suitable for tourin

Post by Hamsta »

Heya sorry yeah I did mean to include budget (around £100-£120 max), and height (5' 7") and weight (70kg / 11 stone)
Hamsta
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Re: Advice for buying a second hand bike suitable for tourin

Post by Hamsta »

Based on my research i'm guessing i'm probably looking at getting an old steel mountain bike? Seen quite a few decent looking hybrids on gumtree etc. for around the £100 mark, would these be a little unsuitable for the sort of stuff i'm interested in doing?

edit: here are a few second hand cycles I think seem suitable, lemme know if i'm barking up the wrong tree

http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/gary- ... to-content Gary Fisher Mountain bike £100 'never been used', front suspension

http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/mount ... to-content British Eagle 18 speed mountain bike £30

http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/conce ... 1055724738 Concept Keywest Gents Hybrid £85

http://www.gumtree.com/p/for-sale/trek- ... 1055971806 Trek 21 Speed Mountain bike £70

Just to give you an idea of prices etc in my area :)
thirdcrank
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Re: Advice for buying a second hand bike suitable for tourin

Post by thirdcrank »

Before shelling out, ask around among your friends and colleagues. Many garages, sheds, cellars etc., have bikes as good or better than those, lurking where they have been virtually abandoned by somebody who tried cycling once or twice and found it harder than they expected. You may be able to borrow a bike from somebody who would be glad to see it go to a good home ie off their conscience and saving a bit of storage space.

Otherwise, buying bikes secondhand is largely a matter of your own knowledge and experience, looking out for wear-and-tear and the accuracy of descriptions.

Think carefully about what you want, apart from buying it cheaply. eg Luggage carrying capability is needed for most forms of touring.
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simonineaston
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Re: Advice for buying a second hand bike suitable for tourin

Post by simonineaston »

Get a Moulton! ;-)
S
(on the look out for Armageddon, on board a Brompton nano & ever-changing Moultons)
MickH
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Re: Advice for buying a second hand bike suitable for tourin

Post by MickH »

http://www.commonwheel.org.uk/bikes

The above charity website gives some interesting advice on what is/is not suitable for touring. Almost anything goes.

It's a good read too.
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james01
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Re: Advice for buying a second hand bike suitable for tourin

Post by james01 »

I'd start with a cheap MTB. That British Eagle looks like the sort of thing, they're solid and reliable with rack and mudguard fixings. Don't go overboard on expensive upgrades, just start with some slick road tyres. After a few weeks you'll have a better idea of what you want, and if you feel the need to get a better bike you'll probably get back what you paid for the old one.
Buying second-hand, important tip: take allen keys/spanners and check that both the stem and seatpost haven't seized!
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al_yrpal
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Re: Advice for buying a second hand bike suitable for tourin

Post by al_yrpal »

If you get a MTB make sure:-

That it hasnt been thrashed, check the hubs, sprockets and bottom bracket.

Make sure that the forks can be locked out.

Reckon on replacing any nobbly tyres.

MTBs make good tourers

Al
Reuse, recycle, thus do your bit to save the planet.... Get stuff at auctions, Dump, Charity Shops, Facebook Marketplace, Ebay, Car Boots. Choose an Old House, and a Banger ..... And cycle as often as you can......
hamster
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Re: Advice for buying a second hand bike suitable for tourin

Post by hamster »

I agree - early 1990's MTB with rigid forks. You can get a tidy one with a serviceable drivetrain (not worn out) for under £150. In fact there is a nice Kona on sale on this site. Also try www.retrobike.co.uk

Unfashionable brands like Giant and Trek don't appeal to nostalgia but are brilliant for the purpose.
Hamsta
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Re: Advice for buying a second hand bike suitable for tourin

Post by Hamsta »

Thanks for the advice everyone, well impressed with the quick and informative responses! Think I shall narrow my search down to rigid MTBs, going to make some phone calls and perhaps go and see that British Eagle and a few other bikes tommorow, it looks practically new and seems like it would suit my purposes for the short to mid term. I've educated myself with a few videos (and ofc the above comments) on what to watch out for in terms of danger signs etc. Keep the advice coming though :)

edit: maybe not... just read some horrendous reviews of the British Eagle, appears it is a MTB Asda sold for self assembly at RRP £70
LollyKat
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Re: Advice for buying a second hand bike suitable for tourin

Post by LollyKat »

Hamsta wrote:edit: maybe not... just read some horrendous reviews of the British Eagle, appears it is a MTB Asda sold for self assembly at RRP £70

Yes, that is a problem. Many respected names from the past have been kept and applied to some dreadful rubbish.

Why don't you post in the 'Wanted' thread? I offered an old Giant recently - it would have done you very well but is too small.
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b1ke
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Re: Advice for buying a second hand bike suitable for tourin

Post by b1ke »

Well, the Trek and the Gary Fisher you mentioned have both gone. The British Eagle is a non-starter. How was the Concept?

What about a Carrera Subway? Never thought I'd say that, because I don't rate them, but I've just picked up a Subway 8 (for the Nexus red band) and it's lovely to ride. The Subways have rack mounts front and rear, adjustable stem, 26 inch wheels and suspension seatpost as standard. Pretty perfect as an introduction to touring. Not sure about the gear range because the derailleur version (1 and 2) normally only had a double chainset. Also, I've ridden the Subway 2 before and didn't get on with the pretty cheap disc brakes. The Subway 1 however has rim brakes and is normally slightly cheaper. Plus, these bikes are everywhere. Just done a random seach on Gumtree and there are 101 available in the UK.

http://www.gumtree.com/search?q=carrera+subway&category=all&search_location=united+kingdom&current_distance=

Plus another 70 on ebay.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_trksid=p3984.m570.l1313.TR7.TRC1.A0.H0.Xcarrera+subway&_nkw=carrera+subway&_sacat=0&_from=R40

Stick an ad in the 'Wanted' section of this forum and you'll probably have another 50 coming your way 8)

The other one worth thinking about is the black version of the 90s (I think) Marin Muirwoods. The one like this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Marin-Muirwoods-17-Alloy-Hybrid-Mountain-Commuter-bike-/350991382151?pt=UK_Bikes_GL&hash=item51b8b77687 has a longer than normal steerer tube, so a bit of flexibility for ride position and front and rear rack mounts. A poors man's Thorn Sherpa I reckon. Check that the seatpost isn't seized on these though - the big bugbear of steel frames.

Good luck :D
http://www.farewellburt.wordpress.com - Europe on a Tandem....
http://www.thespokeandwords.wordpress.com - West Africa on a Tandem....
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b1ke
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Re: Advice for buying a second hand bike suitable for tourin

Post by b1ke »

Get a Moulton! ;-)


This is what £120 gets you in the world of Moultons these days...

Image

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Beautiful-RAR ... 461d980844

Happy touring 8)
http://www.farewellburt.wordpress.com - Europe on a Tandem....
http://www.thespokeandwords.wordpress.com - West Africa on a Tandem....
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