Second hand bikes

Comment by Owning on January 31, 2009 at 11:43am

Source:http://unswbikeclub.wordpress.com/advice-on-cycling/buying-bikes/
Buying bikes
March 2, 2007 — bikeclub

Stop! Don’t buy that department store bike! Read this first, and save yourself hours of pain.
Second-hand Bikes

A lot of people have been asking where to buy a cheap or used bicycle in Sydney. The truth is that is quite difficult to buy a second hand bicycle in Sydney. There are several reasons for this. One is that people tend to throw things onto the street when they don’t need them, instead of keeping them to sell at garage sales, markets, second hand papers etc.

A bigger factor is that the trend has been to buy cheap bicycles from department stores. These bicycles do not usually enter the second hand market because they are so poorly made that they reach the end of their useful life with the first owner. So before you go and buy one of these terrible bikes, try to find a second hand one first. Even if you spend more on the second hand bike than the new department store bike, it will give you less trouble and repairs costs and you will be able to sell it when you don’t need it anymore. Common department store brands (bikes to avoid), are: Cyclops, Huffy, Royce Union, Cell Bikes.

Here are some tips for buying bikes, in order of price range:

There are many free bicycles to be had in Sydney, as people throw things onto the street for fun. Check council websites or call them to find out when the ‘council clean ups’ are on. Then you can find them on the street. Otherwise, keep your eyes out for bikes thrown away, even on campus.

The Bower reuse centre has bikes for under $20. These bikes usually need quite a bit of repair. They also sometimes sell fixed-up bikes (as of November 2008, they had three 21-speed bikes in good condition for $135 each). You can use the UNSW bike club’s tools for this or take the bike along to the Nunnery Bike Workshop where there are more tools and spare parts.

If you are near Hurstville, you can contact Mark, who will sell you a used bike: 9585 1152

Stew also sells used bikes: 0409 747 063

The Mitchell Road Auctions sell many bicycles every Monday around 11am. You can view the bicycles over the weekend, 9-4pm and even make absentee bids so that you don’t have to go on Monday. Bikes start at $10 but you generally need closer to $50 to win a fully working bike. There is a range of bikes there which should allow you to get a bike for your price range. Some bikes that have been put around campus for sale this week were won from the Mitchell Road Auctions (I was there and I saw him win them). They were won for around $60 and sold on campus for $150. Beat him to the auction next time.

The Trading Post is a second hand paper. Ebay is worth a try but not very good.

There’s a new website called sellyourbike.com.au; I’m not sure what it’s like, so if you use it, post a comment about your experience.

Comment by swill on January 31, 2009 at 12:39pm

If you are looking for a higher end bike (which you seem to be) - I'd do a search in google for the bike clubs in sydney (ie LACC, Waratahs, Parramatta, Penrith. Turramarra, St George etc). All these clubs have websites - and most of the websites have a selling/wanted section of the site. If there are any good 2nd hand road bikes to be had, it's a good starting point.

Comment by naomi on January 31, 2009 at 1:20pm

Canberra, Canberra, Canberra!!

Heaps of second hand bikes bought be cashed up public servants for sale:) My partner bought his frame from here and has since built it up and is very happy. He wasn't interested in second hand carbon though as its harder to tell if its damaged.

Try here:

Comment by Doddsy on January 31, 2009 at 1:40pm

Patience is a good idea when shopping for a second hand bike. Serious bargains are around its just a matter of finding them.

Make sure you know what size frame you need and what components you are looking for.

Clubs, forums, the trading post, Crime convertors, the daily paper etc etc. good luck.

Comment by Paul on January 31, 2009 at 2:26pm

Common department store brands (bikes to avoid), are: Cyclops, Huffy, Royce Union, Cell Bikes.

Are Cell Bikes really in the same class as a Big W special? We're talking chalk and cheese in my opinion. I am considering a road bike this year. Was looking at a Trek 1.7, but the $700 price increase to a ridiculous $2700 has steered me towards a Cell 2009 Team Road Bike (Full Shimano 105 Groupset). I have never seen a Cell bike in any department store, so what gives?

Comment by Doddsy on January 31, 2009 at 2:32pm

Cells are great value for money.

Comment by MadameBike on January 31, 2009 at 2:55pm

I have no vested interest in this deal whatsoever, but there is a bike for sale ion this week's Bike North Newsletter (email). I know the guy selling it and it would be genuine.
For Sale : Giant TCR Alliance 1 Road Bike

Move up to a really lightweight bike for Sydney commuting or BN
recreation/fitness rides. In as new condition, just over 1 year old and but now replaced by a new bike for Christmas so surplus to requirements.
Seamless blending alloy and carbon to offer fantastic riding characteristics. St Ives area, inspect and try. Contact Malcolm 0402 118 022 or malcolm@captioningandsubtitling.com.au

Details: Giant TCR Alliance 1 (2007 model). Aluminium frame with carbon stays and forks. Frame size is M (50cm). Mavic Aksium wheelset with Vittoria Rubino Pro tyres. All Shimano Ultegra components - crank
(53-39t); 10 speed rear cassette (12-23t); shifters; brakes. FSA composite seat post. Shimano PD-M520 (SPD) pedals. Colour
composite/blue/scotchbrite silver. Price negotiable around $1,850. Also
available separately - Shimano 105 Compact crank (50-34t) and Shimano
Ultegra 6600 10 speed cassette (12-25t).

See this year's model at: http://www.woolyswheels.com/listman/listings/l0022.html

Comment by Terry on January 31, 2009 at 9:07pm

HI Sarah,

I ride a cell team road bike and have never had any trouble with the bike. Celll are definitely cheaper than most other bikes but they are miles ahead of the department store bikes as far as my experience goes. Unlike department stores you can take your bike into cell on parramatta rd if you have any trouble with it(I'd like to see that happen at kmart)

Comment by Nick on February 3, 2009 at 9:34pm

Check out ebay. A friend of mine got an Avanti Corsa, bought new for appx $3000 with full shimano ultegra groupset for $1200 on ebay. It had been ridden only a few times. An absolute minter and hasnt dropped a beat since. Also there is a Giant TCR Alliance 2 on ebay, starting bid $600. If this bike sells for under a grand then someone has got yourself a bargain. It comes with a full 105 groupset.

Try and hook up with some people who know what they are doing when looking at bikes. And will give you some honest advice on what you are buying. Maybe post a few of your finds on this website and get some feedback. I am sure there will be plentiful opinion on whether you should buy or not.

Also, take your time, you will get more smiles per kilometer if you get a great bike.

Comment by Sarah on February 4, 2009 at 7:29am

Thanks for all the comments...i got a trek 1000 in the end on ebay for $600 incl a new helmet and some other bits and pieces. It's 18 months old and has hardly been riden, its an 07 model and i believe the 09 model is going for about $1400 at the moment. I took a rider friend with me and she seemed to think it was pretty sweet, plus it has pretty good review on the net. I'm pretty happy with the purchase :-)

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