Buying a Bike
The following information has been provided by Great Ormond Street Hospital.
Introduction:
You might have been using the Santander Cycles, or been borrowing a bike from a friend, and now you are thinking of buying your own bike.
Here are a few things to consider and tips & information to support your decision
Key questions:
New, or used?
Type: City, Folding, Road, Hybrid, Mountain, Gravel
How much to spend? Frame materials & Specification of components
This guide provides a helpful overview: https://www.yellowjersey.co.uk/the-draft/buying-a-bike/
You may find it helpful to ask friends and colleagues for their advice, and try their bikes out
Whatever you do, buy a good lock, register it on BikeRegister and park it in the most secure locations that you can.
Buying a used bike
Benefits:
More affordable, less likely to get stolen, environmental benefits of re-using a previously manufactured product
You can typically get a very good used bicycle for between £400 - £600
Risks:
You may need to replace worn/ damaged components, there could be some defects from previous use
Where to look:
Second-hand bike shops: e.g. Camden Cycles http://www.camdencycles.co.uk/used-bicycles/info_8.html?content=2
e.g. Station bicycles http://www.stationbicycles.co.uk/used-bicycles/info_8.html http://betterhealthbikes.org.uk/
Advice: https://www.londoncyclist.co.uk/buying-a-second-hand-bike-in-london/
It is worth going to a bike shop to get advice for what size of bike you need
Online market sites: https://www.bikeshd.co.uk/brands https://www.bikesoup.com/marketplace https://secondhandbikes.co.uk/ plus Gumtree, ebay, Facebook marketplace
Buying a new bike
Benefits:
A brand new product, built to your specification/ need
Wide selection of bikes to choose from at a range of prices (from £300 upwards)
You can get lots of advice and support in selecting which bike is best for you
GOSH is registered on the Cycle to Work Scheme (Code: 16ade) for which you can save at least 32% off retail purchase price for a bicycle and all equipment you require e.g. Helmet, Lights, Locks. https://www.cyclescheme.co.uk/how-it-works
Risks:
New bikes are more attractive to thieves
Where to look:
Search for your local independent bike shop, or go to the big chains: Evans Cycles (owned by Sports Direct), Halfords, Decathlon, Cycle Surgery
Online retailers e.g. Wiggle, Tredz
Or buy direct from British manufacturers: https://englishcyclist.com/pages/best-british-cycling-brands
