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.

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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 

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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