eBay and Craigslist finds

no, they could easily get a cheap road bike (about 20-50 quid) that'd still last for quite a while than paying a lots more for a bike that will fall apart.

Everything falls apart. These a bit faster, but as long as they are not a total death trap, each to their own. A cheap and trendy enough looking run-a-round.

fair enough,,, you tried.