Matteeboy

Not too much though or more dirt will stick.

Wipe the chain with a rag after every ride, degrease/clean and oil it about once a month but wipe the excess oil off. Makes chains last much longer.

Light oil/spray for everything else.

chocolate_o_brian

iTrader: (22)

Thanks Matt, all noted.

speedymonkey

I've no problem with the place at all...bought loads of trainers & t-shirts from there its full of bargains when you have a rummage

That bike seems find for a cheepo 'got no love for it' commuter...but I'd be tempted to get a 2nd hand one from flea bay, as following alcazar's post it seems there some decent 2nd hand ones going cheap for not much more

That said I know **** all about bikes...but as the old saying goes....it all boils down to a dry pan

scoobynutta555

Sweet Lord

If you've already got this then firstly my commiserations, secondly run it into the ground and try to get your moneys worth.

If you're only going to do a few miles commute (you won't be burning much if any excess xmas lbs) then look on eBay for a second hand Boardman comp road bike, or indeed a hybrid. It'll cost circa £300 but you'll be gagging for longer trips and it will seem like a Ferrari compared to this contraption. If you don't get on with it you'll pass it on eBay for what you paid or indeed more in season. £300 may seem a lot but it really is a pittance in bike terms

chocolate_o_brian

iTrader: (22)

£300 is a lot when you consider I have a young family and have a suitable bike, new, for less than a quarter of a second hand eBay bike. I appreciate the advice, and maybe when I have money burning a hole in my pocket with nothing to spend it on, I'll throw silly money at a push bike.

2 miles each way helps with my asthma, tones my legs and mrs says gives me a supple bum. Remembering I have an 8-12 hour shift inbetween doing a physical job rather than sitting at a desk/computer.

daviee

FFS bike snob alert think back to your child hood i rode hundreds on a 5 speed raleigh arena and it never fell apart. just for the record I bought one of these ,,,,,thanks for the link if I can do 20 miles a week it will be money well spent.

saints_forever

I have to agree with this to be fair, as snobbish as it sounds, and believe me I'm tight for money. You get what you pay for.


Shimano is just a manufacturer, you have different models within, and basic unfortunately isnt built to last. You could also spend a little bit more and find a bike with disc brakes which are much better than the V-style. And I would look at changing the pedals ASAP, my started coming loose straight away which then resulted in the crank set coming loose.

That said, as long as you're happy with your purchase that's all that matters!

Plus this thread reminded me yesterday to go to sports direct for a footy, so thanks

scoobynutta555

Ok. But a second hand Boardman for £300 on eBay will be worth £300 when you come to sell it and probably won't need things upgraded on it. What you've got now is worth £0 second hand and I imagine you'll be spending on keeping it working, ie pedals etc. That said, if you're happy that's what counts

My commute is 15 miles each end of a physical 12 hour shift.

Bike snob Daviee? My last mountain bike was £3500.
Your old Raleigh was probably built here using quality metals etc. What happens now you'll get a bike being built in China using the cheapest of the cheap materials that look good but will literally fall apart very quickly.

Neanderthal

iTrader: (6)

Exactly what I was going to say!
Unless they don't make them like they used to?

chocolate_o_brian

iTrader: (22)

Well on another note, I may pick up some undies if they're cheap too from SD. Or will they just fall apart unless I buy £30 a pop designer ones made from better materials?

Sorry, couldn't resist, but I see your point.

billyray911

iTrader: (4)

Nowt wrong with SD for certain bits and pieces-and I'm not bothered having the latest seasons colours.
Apart from my trainers-as I'm an overpronator,I get all my running gear from there.
I like the free mugs they put into your orders,too!

chocolate_o_brian

iTrader: (22)

I got one of them too, right big coffee mug that!

GazTheHat

I'd rather walk. Get a decent second hand bike instead.

gpssti4

iTrader: (6)

FFS guys, Andy was after cheap transport to and from work. If someone was asking about a cheap car for the same purpose, you'd not be suggesting a £3k car as it would drive better and be worth more after a year. You'd say go and spend a grand on something cheap and cheerful, like a pug 106!

The bike in question will do the job, and if not he has a warrantee with it. Now, I was a bike snob many years ago when I used to race and I built bikes for a living. I built many bikes costing several thousands back in the late 1980's. My bikes are Campagnolo C Record and those in the know understand this was the very best available and cost a fortune - but Andy wouldn't get to work any quicker on it!

scoobynutta555

Not really understanding the point of the FFS crew here. A guy is asking some advice on an ultra cheap bike and is on the main told by people who ride bikes to spend a small amount more and get something more reliable, especially as there's a tight budget and a commute involved. If money is so tight then no more should be spent on fixing/upgrading what he has now and no money will be lost on a resale. From what I've read no-one has jumped down the guys throat or told him to buy a £3k bike?

gpssti4

iTrader: (6)

Okay, I'll explain a bit more.

Firstly Andy has already bought the bike. Then, secondhand bikes are a lottery just as second hand cars are. It's quite easy to buy a second hand bike that's 'worth' £300 to find that it needs another £100 or £200 to get it upto scratch. For example if it has disc brakes, it may need new pads, it may need a new chain and cassette etc etc. it soon mounts up.

I understand that there are people on here who also have a passion for a nice bike, but Andy just wants a cheap mode of transport to work. The bike he's bought should be up to it and it will have a warrantee so if (when?) it falls apart it should be fixed.

It WILL be sufficient for him to get to and from work.

scoobynutta555

Fair enough, but starting with FFS starts on quite a negative tone
Both Saints and I have stated that as long as he's happy then all's well,

ilogikal1

Aside from everything gpssti4 just said...

330% more is a small amount?!?

scoobynutta555

A difference of over just over £200 for a serious upgrade in quality/return of investment/reliability. Not a significantly higher amount unless you live in a sub Saharan hut.

chocolate_o_brian

iTrader: (22)

That "small" difference of £230 (300-70) is paying for our little family holiday to Great Yarmouth this year in a chalet

scoobynutta555

And it pays for my entire gas bill for a year plus 90% of my electric in a 3 bed semi. Choosing how to spend money when you're on a budget can be tricky. IMHO investing in something that'll more than likely fail and has no resell value is a false saving

chocolate_o_brian

iTrader: (22)

Good for you. My annual energy bill is around £1,600 due to having solid walls in my house and a young family to keep warm. I'll report back in a year or two on my petrol savings in comparison to my £69.99 outlay on said tredder And see what has/hasn't needed fixing or replacing.

gpssti4

iTrader: (6)

FFS, I'm sorry if my exasperation has offended anyone's sensibilities!

Enough is enough, Andy had made his decision and is happy with it. I for one agree - I'd pay a bit more and buy a better second hand bike, but Andy wants a bike AND a holiday with the money (greedy boy lol). Good on him for getting his priorities right with his family. Now, if he moved down south he wouldn't have to spend so much on gas and 'leccy either; it's positively baking down here in Cornwall at 6degC lol

Enjoy all as I'm off for a beer.

Frosticles

iTrader: (1)

If anyone has ever had the mis-fortune of going to Sports direct in Shirebrook then you will understand my reasoning for putting here!!!!

Matteeboy

Gpssti; not that warm today in the Corn. Surfed for two hours and I swear my ears nearly fell off. Even colder tomorrow!

I've had fun on all sorts of bikes from cheap BMXs to my current laughably pricey steed. I have has many cheap bike parts fail in amusing ways over the years and still eat an entire drive train per year. So when I spend more, it's so stuff lasts longer.