Buying a bike

Tips on choosing the best place to buy a bike, how to get the right size, correct fittings and what to look for if buying a second hand bike.

Contents 1 Basics 2 Bike types 3 Bike components 3.1 Accessories 3.1.1 Lights 3.1.2 Lock 3.1.3 Repair kit 3.1.4 Other accessories 3.2 Clothing 3.2.1 High visibility 3.2.2 Helmets 3.2.3 Waterproofs 3.2.4 Gloves 3.2.5 Shoes 3.3 Saddles and handlebars 3.3.1 Handlebars 3.3.2 Saddles 3.3.3 Posture 3.3.4 Riding position 4 Buying a second hand bike 4.1 Checklist 4.2 Stolen bikes 4.3 Where to buy a second hand bike 4.3.1 London 5 Donating a bike 5.1 Waltham Forest's Bike Recycling Scheme 5.2 Wandsworth's Bike Reconditioning project 5.3 Freecycle London 5.4 Re-cycle

[edit] Basics

The type of bike you buy should reflect the riding you will be doing. You need to consider how often, how far and where you will be riding and if you need a bike for both commuting and leisure cycling, on roads, off-roads or on dirt paths.

If you will be cycling every day around London you will want a bike that is comfortable and set up for cycling in the city but you may not want to leave a very expensive bike locked outside on a day-to-day basis. If you are also planning long trips with your bike or you intend to use it for specialised cycling, for example, touring or mountain biking, you may want to spend more on getting something that's purpose-specific.

For people with disabilities there is a wide range of adapted cycles, tandems, tricycles, side-by-side cycles and recumbent cycles which are designed to make cycling accessible to almost anyone.

• Where to buy your bike -An overview of where you should ideally buy your new or upgraded bike.
• How much to spend on your bike -Simple advice on how much you want to pay for your bike and why buy a bike now rather than later.
• Bike fit -Tips on how to find the right frame for you and achieve the best riding position and posture.

[edit] Bike types

Bicycles are designed for use in many different conditions and can vary enormously in price, weight and performance. The following is a guide to bike types.

• Urban, Hybrids, Roadsters and Mountain Bikes -Descriptions of hybrids, roadsters and urban, and mountain bikes
• Road bikes (racing, touring and fixed) -Descriptions of road racing and touring bikes and recumbents.
• Custom & Folding Bikes and Tricycles -Descriptions of custom and folding bikes and tricycles.

[edit] Bike components

Before you buy your bike you must check that the saddle and handlebars suit you. There are many different types and it is important that you ask the shop to change these at the time of purchase.

Below you will see the few essential and optional componenets and accessories which make cycling in London safer for the cyclist.

[edit] Accessories

Once you have bought your bike there are a few essentials you must have to make cycling safer and others you may wish to buy to make cycling more pleasant.

Some bikes will come with full accessories such as those listed below but others will need these fitted. Do not forget to check the bike has fitting points if you intend to fit a rack, water bottle or other accessories. All new bikes should be sold with a bell.

Some accessories may be difficult to fix to your bike or you may not know how to repair a puncture. LCC local groups often run maintenance workshops for cyclists of all levels of ability (see your local borough group for details, or check our Rides & Events section for listings). You can also look at our pages on "Cycle Maintenance".

[edit] Lights

You are legally required to have a front white light, a red rear light, rear and pedal reflectors when cycling at dusk or at night.

There are many lights on the market, and it is definitely quality and brightness that count. Halogen lights have a bright beam and are particularly effective if you cycle at night in unlit areas. Carry a set of spare batteries with you as they require frequent battery changes. LEDs (light emitting diodes) are increasingly popular and they can easily be seen by other road users, are light to carry and have a long battery life. It is not legal to only use flashing lights, though you could use these in combination with steady beam lights. Dynamos are another good option, as they run without batteries. Are now able to run off your wheel without slowing you down, and don't go out when you stop.

See our page on "Visibility" for more information on lights and legal requirements.

[edit] Lock

It essential that you have a good lock for your bicycle, and that you never leave your bike unlocked in a public place even for a minute. You should always lock your frame and both wheels to an immovable object. Take all accessories and easily removable parts with you. Quick release levers (which fix some seats and wheels) can make parts very easy to remove. Use a good quality lock and preferably use two different types of lock if you are leaving your cycle for any length of time. Lock strength can vary enormously and you generally get what you pay for. See our pages on "Bicycle Security" for further information.

[edit] Repair kit

It is a sensible idea to carry a puncture repair kit, spare inner tube, tyre levers and a cycle pump. A set of Allen keys can also be a good investment as Allen bolts are common on many bike components and accessories.

[edit] Other accessories

Mudguards are a worthwhile investment; they will protect you from road spray off your tyres and also reduce spray for cyclists travelling behind you.

There are lots of other investments you can make, depending on the cycling you will be doing. You may decide to invest in a basket for your bike or a rear rack and panniers; these make it easy to cart things around with you. Suspension can insulate you from rough roads and potholes, though cheap suspension is often a sales gimmick and worse than none.

[edit] Clothing

There are many varieties of cycling wear to add to cycling comfort but none are essential. Some examples include base layers to keep you cool in the summer and warm in the winter, padded shorts and cycling jerseys which are comfortable and offer some protection against wind and rain.

[edit] High visibility

Make yourself visible on the road with reflective clothing, vests, belts or bands and by wearing light and bright colours.

[edit] Helmets

Cycle helmets have been around since the late 1970s and are now used by a significant number of London cyclists. There has been considerable research into their effectiveness but this remains a highly controversial subject. Some researchers claim that helmet wearing gives cyclists a false sense of security and so they tend to take less care than otherwise. Seeing helmeted cyclists may also lead to car drivers taking less care. Wearing a helmet does not prevent cars and lorries hitting cyclists and so can never be a complete safety measure.

If you buy a helmet, do not buy one until you're sure it's the right size, comfortable, and properly fitted. If you're not sure how to adjust the helmet yourself, then make sure you buy it from a shop where the staff can help you get a good fit.

[edit] Waterproofs

A waterproof jacket and waterproof trousers will make your journey that much more pleasant if you get caught in the rain. Waterproof clothing enables you to arrive at your destination dry and clean despite the weather.

[edit] Gloves

Gloves are important for winter cycling as they will keep your hands warm and dry so you can use your brakes and gears effectively.

[edit] Shoes

Shoes can quickly get worn out by cycling. Some people choose to wear special cycling shoes. These are stiffer than normal shoes and may have metal cleats, which attach to special pedals increasing cycling efficiency.

[edit] Saddles and handlebars

[edit] Handlebars

The most common types of handlebars are

• flat bars, usually seen on mountain bikes or hybrids.

• drop bars (as above), usually seen on road/racing bikes, and

• cruiser, usually seen on shoppers or 'traditional' bikes.

Drop bars can feel strange at first for people who are used to flat bars, but they are useful in that they provide a variety of riding positions, which can make a long ride more comfortable.

[edit] Saddles

There are many different types of saddles on the market, from rock hard to thick padded versions. It is a matter of personal choice which one will suit you. The softer saddle is not always better so try as many as you can before you buy. Women's saddles are now widely available; these tend to be wider at the back and shorter in length to give comfortable cycling for the female anatomy.

[edit] Posture

The handlebars and stem on your bike can change your posture dramatically. You may choose drop handlebars or wide upturned bars with a long stem, or something in between. You may be able to make adjustments to the stem and handlebars on your bike when you buy it, or may find you need to do this later. Sometimes a small change can make a huge difference to your cycling comfort.

[edit] Riding position

Once you have decided on your saddle and handlebars make sure you have them set up correctly. Your saddle should be high enough that when you are seated on the bike with the pedal at its lowest point and your foot on the pedal your leg is almost fully straight, and you should be able to touch the ground with your tiptoes.

If you are just starting out you may need your saddle low enough that you can touch the ground with both feet while you are getting your balance. You will find that once you have the hang of it you are much more comfortable and efficient riding with a higher saddle.

You can adjust the height of your saddle and how far forward it sits on the seat pin, and you will usually be able to change the height and tilt of your existing handlebars. If you do want to get a different saddle or handlebars, discuss this with the bike shop before you buy the bike, as you may be able to sort out a straight exchange, or an upgrade, where you pay the difference.

[edit] Buying a second hand bike

You can get some really good deals buying second hand, but you can also get some duds. It is a good idea to look around, do some research into what to look for, or find someone who knows about bikes to look with you. If you know what to look for you may be able to get a fantastic second hand bike for the same price as you would pay for a bad quality new bike. Do not buy a bike if you suspect it is stolen.

[edit] Checklist

Check the bike carefully, looking especially at the following (prices do not include labour):

• The frame is the right size for you. A wrong size frame may be uncomfortable, less efficient and if too big, unsafe to ride.
• Bent, dented or cracked frame or forks. Check the joins closely. If any of the above, do not buy it, it has probably have been involved in a collision of some sort.
• Buckled wheels and missing or broken spokes. May cost you between £5 - £40.
• Missing, broken or jammed components, e.g. brakes or gears. May cost you between £5 - £60 per part.
• Rust on the frame, scratch with a finger nail to see how deep it is. If it is deep rust, do not buy it.
• Rusty or worn chain and cogs (chains and back cog sets should be replaced together). May cost you between £20 - £60.
• Loose handlebars or stem could be a jammed or loose headset. May cost you between £10 - £60.
• Pedals crunch as they go round: the bottom bracket may need replacing. May cost you between £10 - £20.

[edit] Stolen bikes

• The main reason not to buy a stolen bike is that you will be supporting the trade in stolen goods. If you have ever had your bike stolen you will know how upsetting this is.
• Even if you are not worried by the moral implications of buying stolen bikes do bear in mind that if a stolen bike is traced then the police can seize it and you get no compensation for your loss.
• It is hard to spot stolen bikes and generally LCC does not recommend buying from places that are known to sell stolen cycles. You can check to see if there is a postcode or other identity marker on the bike, which you can verify with the police. If there is a patch where an identity marker may have been scratched over, this may mean the bike is stolen.

[edit] Where to buy a second hand bike

[edit] London

You can get second hand bikes from many different places in London including:

• Specialised second hand bike shops, which generally buy from auction houses and then rebuild the bikes, or regular bike shops which sell one or two occasionally - download our list of second hand bike shops via the link on the right.

• Auction houses that may sell catalogue returns or end-of-line bikes and re-sell bikes found by the police. Greasbys in Tooting are the auctioneers for bikes recovered by the police in London. Follow the link on the right to find out when their next auction is.

• Bike hire shops, which will often sell their bikes on after a certain time, e.g. 18 months. These can be good deals, as they will have been regularly serviced.

• Markets, though you should be aware that markets have a VERY bad reputation for selling stolen bikes, particularly Brick Lane market.

• Newspapers and cycle magazines - newspapers will be a little like markets; you need to be careful you are not buying a stolen bike, and know enough to avoid buying a dud. Cycle magazines can be good options for more expensive bikes.

[edit] Donating a bike

If you have an old bike that you don't use anymore, how about recycling it?

[edit] Waltham Forest's Bike Recycling Scheme

Waltham Forest Council runs a very popular bike recycling scheme, where you can not only donate an old bike and get a new bike (for a donation), but you can also learn how to work on your own bike with the assistance of a bike mechanic, or take part in a maintenance workshop with the Waltham Forest LCC group. Check the Waltham Forest website for location and times.

[edit] Wandsworth's Bike Reconditioning project

Wandsworth’s Youth Offending Team run a bike reconditioning project which works to recondition old bikes. These are then given to groups and individuals in the borough who are keen to start cycling. If you have a bike to donate, contact the Wandsworth Cyclists through our Borough Groups page or visit their website.

[edit] Freecycle London

Freecycle London is an email based messageboard where you can list items you don’t want anymore, or claim items that other people are giving away, entirely for free. Bikes come up quite often but are always in demand – so you’ve got to be quick! Join via the link on the right.

[edit] Re-cycle

Re-cycle recycles old bikes and parts and ships them to Africa, where partners teach locals the skills to repair and maintain them to improve their lives in a sustainable manner. You can donate bikes every Saturday morning between 10am and 1pm at 100 Vauxhall Walk, SE11 5EL.