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Cheap commuter, how...
 

[Closed] Cheap commuter, how much is it worth ? Raleigh Chimera

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http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/160701603034?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Looking for a cheapo bike to save me some fuel money next year, i have a 16 mile commute but don't want to fit a set of spare wheels and use my 29er, as they'll cost more to buy wheels and run drivetrains than it would cost me to get a cheapie machine and run into the ground etc...

Something like the above maybe ?


 
Posted : 20/12/2011 1:03 pm
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How much? Not much more than the current bid......


 
Posted : 20/12/2011 1:04 pm
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worth the current bid though or a waste of time and effort ?


 
Posted : 20/12/2011 1:06 pm
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whats going on with the stem?


 
Posted : 20/12/2011 1:13 pm
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Dunno.. i know nothing about road bikes... lol.


 
Posted : 20/12/2011 1:14 pm
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looks like the stem is one of those flexy adjustable angle POS ones.


 
Posted : 20/12/2011 1:17 pm
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looks like an ahead/threadless one on a threaded steerer?


 
Posted : 20/12/2011 1:46 pm
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looks like the stem is one of those flexy adjustable angle POS ones.

It is. They are horrific. Replace ASAP!


 
Posted : 20/12/2011 1:50 pm
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i'm assuming we're thinking "nah, don't bother mate"


 
Posted : 20/12/2011 1:52 pm
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Phhhh. I might buy that, but I'd ask to see it before I bid on it.

As it's collection only I assume it's local to you, so I'd contact the seller, try and view, then see if they'll do a cash deal off Ebay.

It looks OK TBH (Stem aside) and would do the job well if you can get it cheap enough, IMO, but you NEED to make sure it's not knackered first, if it needs a service, cables, new BB, bent wheels, headset etc etc.
You don't want to actually spend any money on it once you've bought it!


 
Posted : 20/12/2011 1:55 pm
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Better pic of a similar bike here (£150 is way OTT though)

http://www.northernpulse.co.uk/section108404.html

A quick google tells me it's a £300 bike, so it'll be half decent for that price. If I needed a bike, and that was close by, I'd consider it, yes. £75 tops though.

If you look hard enough, there's always good stuff about, and COLLECTION ONLY is king!


 
Posted : 20/12/2011 2:01 pm
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BSO


 
Posted : 20/12/2011 2:15 pm
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What?


 
Posted : 20/12/2011 2:18 pm
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get in halfords after christmas. normally some decent ish commuters for the £100-200 mark.


 
Posted : 20/12/2011 2:24 pm
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BSO

Bike Shaped Object


 
Posted : 20/12/2011 2:31 pm
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Ahh. I see. Nothing wrong with that bike though, will be more than fine as a commuter... Unless of course you're a bike snob.... 🙂


 
Posted : 20/12/2011 2:33 pm
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of course i'm a bike snob. i'm a snob about most things.

it's not just the taking part.


 
Posted : 20/12/2011 2:50 pm
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I rest my case.


 
Posted : 20/12/2011 2:52 pm
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thanks guys,

Yeah it's local to me, hence being on my target list. I'll see if i can shoot over today and have a peek and do a deal.

I'm a bike snob too.. But not with a commuter tool, that's not for 'fun' just for saving cash and a bit of fittness in there too.


 
Posted : 20/12/2011 2:57 pm
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you'll soon regret having a crap bike.


 
Posted : 20/12/2011 3:09 pm
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Why's that ? it's not like i'm setting records or doing Sportives. Road racing holds no interest to me at all. Riding and commuting on nice days appeals though.


 
Posted : 20/12/2011 3:15 pm
 was
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Bear in mind you may or may not need to change the cassette, chain and cables, and true the wheels up on that.


 
Posted : 20/12/2011 3:27 pm
 DezB
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I used to buy stuff like that to commute on. £100 tops, they do the job for a while.

A 'wanted' on the classifieds might get you something more worthwhile though.


 
Posted : 20/12/2011 3:35 pm
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Road racing holds no interest to me at all. Riding and commuting on nice days appeals though.

no, but commuter racing will. you won't even admit you're doing it for a while, but you'll soon realise that you are. you want to be able to go quick, keep with the flow of traffic and rag yourself getting to work and back so that you can feel the endorphins.

you might even manage to stick with that bike until the middle of the summer, but you'll break eventually and want something basic but fast. a spesh allez for example. perfect commuter.


 
Posted : 20/12/2011 4:15 pm
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Decent point mate yes. But it's all relative... if i improve my time over a summer then that's fine... but i won't be racing anyone on my commute as it's back B roads and i never see anyone on them.

Also trying to get a buy it now on this
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/220915270856?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

and maybe this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/320815679765?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649


 
Posted : 20/12/2011 4:45 pm
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you'll soon regret having a crap bike.

For sure. But there's no way of telling if a bike is crap on price or brand alone. More cost does not automatically equal better, or more suitable for this purpose especially......,
That Raleigh is a £300 bike with decent reliable components and a solid frame. It's probably a nice bike, especially for the money
Personally, for a commuter, I'd say your far more likely to regret using a nice bike after its been worn out, covered in grime and nicked, than you are going to regret using a cheap used bike.....

🙂


 
Posted : 20/12/2011 4:51 pm
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outbid by £2 at £72.00


 
Posted : 20/12/2011 6:28 pm