Wanted: bike, components or advice on bike buying

Hi - I have a good quality gravel bike I use for commuting (and a lot less offroad than I'd intended) and don't like leaving it locked up around London (already had one nicked from outside the swimming pool I go to at lunchtime).

It would cost £125 for a chain that I'd feel confident using, so am considering buying a cheap SS to keep at work and use as a runaround. Would be willing to go up to £200.

I've looked around on Gumtree and Ebay and most of the things available are the Teman bikes and similar, which sell for £160 new. I'm looking for something that was more like £400 new and is now a few years old and selling for half that.

I'm 6'3" and would need a frame from 58 to 62.

Would be happy to build from second hand components - especially frameset and wheels. I have a 105 Hollowtech chainset lying around at home and would be glad to find a use for it.

Is what I'm looking for unrealistic?

I did find one thing on Gumtree that ticked the boxes, but think the frame is too small (vendor has given mixed info).

If it is realistic, I'm open to any offers.

Thanks - Dan

You can definitely get a bike for £200 that will do what you want although will be easier if you know what you are doing / can build it up yourself. A set of SS beater wheels should be available for under £100, and then the other bits for SS (brakes etc) can be had cheap if you don't mind flat bars / cheap or mismatched components. I can have a look in the parts box later, fairly sure I've got wheels that could work for you if you need?

However even with a £200 bike you still probably need a £50+ lock for it to survive in London, worth factoring that it.

Thanks - would appreciate that, although would wait till I'd also found a frameset before buying anything.

I've already bought a new Bullguard D-Lock, which should be enough. My problem is my gravel bike stands out and is worth a crook going out of his way to nick, which is what happened to my last one. They say always lock your bike next to a more expensive one - unfortunately that was mine. Now I want the cheap one to park near the more expensive ones, so the D lock should do.

And yes, I'd be happy with mismatched components - hopefully would make the bike even less attractive to thieves.

If you actively fancy building up a bike for the giggles then finding a vintage road frame / forks and converting it to fixed / single speed is fun and straight forward. Otherwise if you're more focussed on getting on the road asap, you should be able to find a used and ok quality bike in budget, something like a used Charge Plug would do the job. Perhaps post a wanted ad in this section and see what turns up, happy hunting!

I have a specialized /stem/brake lever combo for a single speed set up on lfgss going for £20. They have not much use if this helps. 120mm length stem but 42cm drop bars. I say but as your height. I am 6'2 and they were fine for me. So they may be ok

Anyone still looking, I have now got myself a bike so no further offers required (for the time being). Thanks to all for your help, special mention to GreatSince78.

It was my pleasure Dan, hope your new steed serves you well...