Cheap bikes or transport?

[Nostrodamus]

There was a post on a while ago now about bikes.
As I remember the cheaper folders were a pain to ride and something like a Brompton cost a fortune.
I have seen those with full sized bikes on deck but they tend to rust pretty badly.
Storing the bikes seems to be the problem, especially with limited space.
Yesterday we visited a “second hand type shop” where you could pick up a pretty reasonable bike for about 80 euros. I asked and they would buy it back for about 30 euros.
Is it worth buying a cheap bike, using it over winter and selling it back or leaving it at the marina with a note saying please take. I have also heard of people doing this with an old banger for the winter.
Is there anyone else does this or have you another suggestion for getting out and seeing places during the winter lay-up.

 

[Blue5]

Bikes are great for exploring in Summer, in the cold of winter they do not have the same appeal.

We have a couple of folding ones onboard and I am a keen cyclist on land but folders have their limitations, great for short shopping trips.

PS. If you fancy the folding variety the are some good deals at Decathalon.

 

[tri39]

I bought a new bike for around 99euros in an Italian supermarket, Mercatone Uno. I don't take it sailing but have found it very useful during the boatyard refit. When I eventually leave Monfalcone the bike will be donated to a yard hand! You can work up an appetite cycling to different restaurants and local chandleries.

 

[vyv_cox]

We wouldn't be without bikes. They are so useful, increasing mobility enormously and so useful for carrying heavy loads of shopping and water, even if you have to wheel them. In our yard it is even worth using them to visit the ablutions, which is a good walk away.

A cheap mountain bike is better to ride than a cheap folder, and probably cheaper too. For many years we carried two mountain bikes on a 29 ft boat, with the wheels off they will fit onto a spare berth or a bigger locker.

 

[r_h]

We wouldn't be without bikes.

+1
We don't have the budget at the moment for decent folders, but even a ropey one is three times better than walking any distance, especially if carrying a load.

 

[ribrage]

There was a post on a while ago now about bikes.
As I remember the cheaper folders were a pain to ride and something like a Brompton cost a fortune.
I have seen those with full sized bikes on deck but they tend to rust pretty badly.
Storing the bikes seems to be the problem, especially with limited space.
Yesterday we visited a “second hand type shop” where you could pick up a pretty reasonable bike for about 80 euros. I asked and they would buy it back for about 30 euros.
Is it worth buying a cheap bike, using it over winter and selling it back or leaving it at the marina with a note saying please take. I have also heard of people doing this with an old banger for the winter.
Is there anyone else does this or have you another suggestion for getting out and seeing places during the winter lay-up.

I have one of each , a mega light weight bike which doesnt fold and a folding bike for my son when he visits, the folding bike would make a better anchor than it does a bike , it gets jammed in every awkward knook and cranny when you try to get it out, this thing is like a evil transformer !

The non folding bike i had a cover made for, I oil the whole thing (except brakes) it lives on deck when at anchor or in a marina and in a spare cabin when at sea.

personally i wouldnt be without a bike, good exercise and with panniers fitted great for shopping or excursions.

If you have space to store it a non folding bike is WAY better

 

[TQA]

Tried both folders and full size. Full size is WAY better. Store on deck and spray with WD 40 / oil / liquid grease.

Never paid more than £25 and found they would last about 18 months.

Used them a LOT in europe and the Canaries, rarely in the Caribbean due to the crazy bus drivers and regarded tham as essential in the USA.

 

[duncan99210]

Wouldn't be without ours. 2 folding bikes bought in Caragena 2 1/2 years ago now. Spanish make called Monty. Whilst not comparing to full sized bikes, they are invaluable during the winter, making shopping trips easy. During the summer, they spend most of their time in the glory hole but come out when we're moored to a quay and want to explore.

 

[colhel]

I've thought about taking a "normal" bike to bits and storing it that way. Thinking they don't take long to re-assemble when you need it. Haven't tried it though

 

[Allan]

Saw someone a few years ago who had bought a couple of cheap mountain bikes with rear suspension. He only had to remove one screw and the bikes folded up like the expensive ones.
Allan

 

[simon barefoot]

Def get a bike. If you can keep them oiled etc then fine, they'll last for a while. If not get a cheap s/h one and just give it away when you've finished, ideally to another liveaboard. Maybe oneday bikes will get passed on and on and on.....
Quick release wheels drop most bikes to not much bigger than a folder anyway.

 

[little_roundtop]

Yesterday we visited a “second hand type shop” where you could pick up a pretty reasonable bike for about 80 euros. I asked and they would buy it back for about 30 euros.
Is it worth buying a cheap bike, using it over winter and selling it back or leaving it at the marina with a note saying please take. I have also heard of people doing this with an old banger for the winter.
Is there anyone else does this or have you another suggestion for getting out and seeing places during the winter lay-up.

This has been done a couple of times in the marina here in Agios Nikolaos on Crete. One couple bought second-hand and then sold back and another couple left their bikes for others when they left for the summer. They were gone when we got back that winter so somebody thought they were good enough to keep.

I reckon your idea is a good compromise and if you're happy with the deal then go for it!

 

[Mrnotming]

Folding bikes

Got two if these
http://www.ecvv.com/product/113532.html

The ones that fold in-line,came with storage bags and toolkits.
No gears and they hate drains and kerbs.
But as others have said, useful even if you have to walk back from the supermarket with everything festooned from handlebars, carrier etc.
Spacewise they are great for storing, cannot recommend for serious distances or hills.
Paid EuRO 135 each at Fiumicino bike shop Canalside near Bascule Bridge so at least affordable if not perfection! had to buy extended seat post for knees to clear handlebars!
Maintained with spray furniture polish on paintwork as recommended some time back by another forumite!

 

[chinita]

Just make sure you buy the cheapest you can find.

I had three bikes stolen in as many weeks in Barcelona. Bike theft is huge in Spain.

We recently drove from Seville to Gib and overtook a skanky old Moroccan registered van which had about fifty bikes tied on to the roof and held down by a mattress.

All acquired perfectly legitimately I am sure.

 

[samwise]

The folders from Compass24 are pretty good. We have the cheaper one with single speed gear that is OK for Netherlands and Denmark, but we have just ordered a second machine from them which has an aluminium frame and deraillieur gears. Our original bike has survived two years in the Med and the French canals and the Baltic and remains in good shape. You are, however paying the thick end of £200 for these machines. I guess it is the old conundrum of choosing to buy "cheap and chuck it " or spend a bit more on a quality product that should last.
The other issue is theft. A nice bike is a magnet to opportunist thieves. Thefts of Bromptons are staggeringly high.

 

[grumpygit]

There was a post on a while ago now about bikes.
As I remember the cheaper folders were a pain to ride and something like a Brompton cost a fortune.
I have seen those with full sized bikes on deck but they tend to rust pretty badly.
Storing the bikes seems to be the problem, especially with limited space.
Yesterday we visited a “second hand type shop” where you could pick up a pretty reasonable bike for about 80 euros. I asked and they would buy it back for about 30 euros.
Is it worth buying a cheap bike, using it over winter and selling it back or leaving it at the marina with a note saying please take. I have also heard of people doing this with an old banger for the winter.
Is there anyone else does this or have you another suggestion for getting out and seeing places during the winter lay-up.

We carry a folding bike for the long shops, a second class ride is better that a first class walk!

________________________________________________________________

 

[ytd]

I got a folding bike from Aldi. 6 speed gears, reasonable brakes and a rack. It came with a bag which gives it some protection on deck. When sailing I lash it between the pushpit and handle on the side of the bathing platform. It does get wet in following seas but not much rust evident. The biggest problem has been flats. The Aldi tubes and tyres aren't the best and I think I'll replace them before the next cruise.

 

[colhel]

Hope no-one minds, still slightly on topic


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3bNoDvNnQU