what cheap commuter bike??

just had my nice new commuter ebike stolen so decided its back to having a cheap (non-nickable!!) bike for commuting the short distance to work and the station, and odd longer journeys up to about 5-6 miles. Any recommendations for current bargains? Need something in a large….no more than about £300.

Find your local bike recycling CIC and see what they’ve got. There will probably be something fun and interesting but not nickable.

BMX

90’s MTB

If Hannah or Fossy’s suggestions don’t float your boat, (both good suggestions mind) then what about a Raleigh Pioneer?

Initially had the Carrera Subway on mind, but it’s over budget, even without the mudguards and rack.

Kona Smoke – chromoly f&f, basic groupset, v brakes but I did thousands of enjoyable commuting miles on mine. Cheap new, dirt cheap on eBay.

If the ‘long’ journey is 6 miles, why are you even spending £300? Get a second hand hybrid thing

2nd hand carrera subway covered in hammerite with a ripped seat, but well maintained with decent tyres.

+1 for second hand, as you’ll get a better bike.

I have so effectively puncture-proofed, weather-protected and strengthened by old hybrid commuter, I’ve turned it into a concrete wheeled anvil. It’s currently sat on the turbo whilst I ride my ‘nice’ and inappropriately tyred gravel bike the 12miles each way as it is a pleasure rather than something to be got done….. (And also justifies it’s C2W status)..

I do have secure bike parking at both offices I commute to, but if required, the ancient, scruffy commuter I’ve built can be left attached to a Sheffield stand for a day and stay put.. it’s the only reason I keep it..

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/204762204156?itmmeta=01HXADP9WJTQ2XCFWAT4FN4CMK&hash=item2facc747fc:g:CEUAAOSwsW5mKRPG

I used to have a secondhand Giant Rapid for that kind of thing, it was awesome – really nippy and light – I paid about £250.

Worth looking for those on ebay & marketplace.

Only in London.. pic.twitter.com/6HDOTkz5f7

— London & UK Street News (@CrimeLdn) April 26, 2024

Even a decent lock doesn’t help if they want the bike!

I wrapped my commuter in old inner tubes, lengthways with zip ties.  Seems to have backfired as any cyclist parked next to me asks what it is, and going stealth must be something decent.  Hasn’t been nicked, only cyclists interested, not scrotes.  The tip this morning had a few old bikes in their shed, no idea if they sell them.

As above, scour ebay for something 2nd hand and interesting.

My Plug cost me £100 off the bearbones forum (good bits were the frame, finishing kit, BB and cranks, everything else was knackered.  Think it came with a decent pair of tyres as spares.

I then spent about £300 shopping around for bargains, building new wheels around a dynamo hub and DT rims, dynamo lights, new (better) v-brakes,  mudguards, new chain, sprockets and chainring.

It’s nice enough to get the occasional comment from cyclists (usually that it’s just a very practical build!) and rides incredibly nicely.  But is dull enough not to be a thief magnet.

Thing is, my old 90’s MTB isn’t sh1t.  It gets locked properly at work. It’s running 90’s XT and LX and I resprayed it last year and did a refurb and built new period XT hubs into new rims. It runs really well like you need, but isn’t flash and weighs a tonne with panniers. It’s not a target for the skallies.

This is making think about building up my old Rock Lobster 26″ mountain bike, I think I’ve still got a triple chainset somewhere. I could take it out on the weekly gravel ride for a laugh. Would also make a good pub bike.

I don’t really want to ride an absolute bucket of a bike…..did that for years (bike was never stolen though!), so was thinking of a cheap brand new commuter. But, i think second hand is probably the route to go. All the ones i find on FB marketplace that seem interesting or half decent seem to be probably stolen though!

Bit cheeky I know but I have a boardman for sale in classifieds

My Carrera Subway. This one was donated to me. I’ve Trigger’s Broomified it. I bought a newer model Subway earlier this year also same size as this one XL (I’m  5’9″) but too big (and the tubing is horrible BSO shapes) so I’ve taken brakes and gears off that, bought a cheap  HTII triple crankset from Alieexpress. Winterized the gear cables – they no longer run beneath the bottom bracket (and consequentially the front shifts like butter now). Quite good fun  off road for what it is. 13~14 miles each day.

I have an old Pinnacle lithium. Being just an in house Evan’s brand it doesn’t have the thief appeal of the big name brands but rides very well and they can often be picked up cheap on eBay.

Ooh I like that Raleigh Pioneer. Looks like the ideal urban/utility bike for urban transport/popping to shops on!

For 300 quid you could buy a decent second hand road bike

Surely just any old MTB or road bike? They can’t be given away hardly. I have a few not sellable.

Hybrids are the best.

Pinnacle Lithium

Kona Dew

Boardman

Carrera

Whatever the Calibre one is.

My Dew Deluxe was 150 quid second hand and has done a lot of miles. Came with 32 tyres but can fit 40s without guards or drop to 650 and fit fatter. If you put 26s on you can squeeze 2.3 Booze Lites in.

Pound for pound the best value bike I ever got. Now set up for my missus as she has a shed at work, I have my scabby old Diamondback to get to the station.

My ’20 Voodoo Marasa is still going pretty strong (very slight wobble in crankset/bb), really appreciating that era’s 3×9 gearing these days, crazy how much the newer model has shot up in price… Got mine for ~£280 with 10% British Cycling discount, the newer one’s RRP is £500! 😮

The https://www.halfords.com/bikes/hybrid-bikes/carrera-subway-2-mens-hybrid-bike-2020—black—s-m-l-xl-frames-346198.html isn’t bad now it has hydraulic brakes.

The https://www.halfords.com/bikes/hybrid-bikes/carrera-subway-all-weather-edition-mens-hybrid-bike—s-m-l-frames-229822.html is quite possibly worth the extras of  heated grips, mudguards and lights (dynamo or battery powered?).

Depending on how flat where you live, I’d recommend a fixed gear because a decent second hand one will be a similar price to all the above, but the cost saving of front brake only and the complete lack of everything else makes for super cheap running