What features would a rain-proof(ish) second-hand bike have?
July 6, 2017 7:48 AM Subscribe
My commute is such that I need to get a bike I can leave at the train station overnight, so I can cycle the last bit of my journey. I'm going to get a second-hand one (budget about £100), but what should I be looking for? (I don't know much about bikes.)
I'd like it not to rust away really quickly, but I live in rainy UK. (There is a bike shelter, but I may not always be able to access it.) I'm thinking things like, maybe covered gears? Although not many of the bikes I'm seeing have them, and some people seem to think they're bad because dirt and water still get in but don't get out. Any suggestions?
I'd like it not to rust away really quickly, but I live in rainy UK. (There is a bike shelter, but I may not always be able to access it.) I'm thinking things like, maybe covered gears? Although not many of the bikes I'm seeing have them, and some people seem to think they're bad because dirt and water still get in but don't get out. Any suggestions?
If you happen to see an internal-gear hub, get that, they are low maintenance and are sealed against the elements. An enclosed chain is good, but enclosed gears and chain is even better. Note I am not talking about a traditional rear cassette with an enclosure like this, I'm talking about hubs with the gears inside. A Sturmy Archer hub is not exactly hermetically sealed, but dirt can't really get in. I know this because when my 40-year old hub finally stopped working, the inside was clean.
Belt drives are pretty good for resisting water wear, but I don't know how likely you are to find one at that price range.
The bigger risk, IMO, is that damp brakes won't work well, and that can get to be a safety concern. So whatever bike you get, make sure you tune up the brakes and test them when damp.
Finally bike covers are a thing. Rather than get a bike and planning to leave it out in the rain, you could get a cover and a small under-seat pouch to store it in.
posted by SaltySalticid at 8:30 AM on July 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
Belt drives are pretty good for resisting water wear, but I don't know how likely you are to find one at that price range.
The bigger risk, IMO, is that damp brakes won't work well, and that can get to be a safety concern. So whatever bike you get, make sure you tune up the brakes and test them when damp.
Finally bike covers are a thing. Rather than get a bike and planning to leave it out in the rain, you could get a cover and a small under-seat pouch to store it in.
posted by SaltySalticid at 8:30 AM on July 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
Yes, fenders that properly cover the wheel, not the flimsy ones you see on mountain bikes - the person behind you also wants to stay dry.
Sturmy Archer hubs are great if you don't need a lot of gears. I have an old Dutch bike that's been going for decades on its original Sturmy Archer gears.
Also, make sure you have wheels with a reasonable tire width, like 700x28 or 700x32. Roads can be slippery in wet weather, especially at intersections where oil from cars accumulates.
posted by wavelette at 8:35 AM on July 6, 2017
Sturmy Archer hubs are great if you don't need a lot of gears. I have an old Dutch bike that's been going for decades on its original Sturmy Archer gears.
Also, make sure you have wheels with a reasonable tire width, like 700x28 or 700x32. Roads can be slippery in wet weather, especially at intersections where oil from cars accumulates.
posted by wavelette at 8:35 AM on July 6, 2017
Not to be contrarian, but the dreamy features SaltySalticid suggests in that first paragraph are almost certainly going to run you more than £100.
Truly what you want is any bike you feel comfortable riding. Then add front and rear fenders yourself if the bike doesn't come with them.
Then get some good rain gear. If you're cheap/broke, this Ikea rain poncho is meant to be worn on a bike, and the hood fits neatly over a helmet (but fits a bit funny if you go helmetless--which you absolutely shouldn't, especially if you're riding in the rain).
posted by tapir-whorf at 8:35 AM on July 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
Truly what you want is any bike you feel comfortable riding. Then add front and rear fenders yourself if the bike doesn't come with them.
Then get some good rain gear. If you're cheap/broke, this Ikea rain poncho is meant to be worn on a bike, and the hood fits neatly over a helmet (but fits a bit funny if you go helmetless--which you absolutely shouldn't, especially if you're riding in the rain).
posted by tapir-whorf at 8:35 AM on July 6, 2017 [1 favorite]
(For the record I bought my bike with Sturmey Archer hub in the USA a few years ago for $80, which google tells me is £62. So I don't think it's crazy to get one for £100, but maybe it is. I admit I don't know the UK market but those things do last forever and there are many old/cheap ones all around the USA in my experience, I'd think there are still plenty in UK too. I agree belt drives are unlikely, but thought I'd throw it out there as a possibility.)
posted by SaltySalticid at 9:20 AM on July 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by SaltySalticid at 9:20 AM on July 6, 2017 [3 favorites]
(FWIW, my bike's got an old Sturmley Archer hub. I bought it used in Canada last year for $100CAD, which is currently £59. They made lots of the things, back in the day, and they last forever -- mine came from 1971 and is still in perfect working order. It also had fenders built into the frame, as was the way of things in the 70s).
But yes, your big problem will be damp rims which make for bad bad braking. Carry both a shop rag that you can dry your rims off with and a lucky charm.
posted by AmandaA at 10:02 AM on July 6, 2017
But yes, your big problem will be damp rims which make for bad bad braking. Carry both a shop rag that you can dry your rims off with and a lucky charm.
posted by AmandaA at 10:02 AM on July 6, 2017
Lots of the advice above is spot on. In order of importance, I'd look for fenders, chain covers, and internal rear hubs. A good searchable term for your local classifieds is 'Dutch Bike'. Lots of those bikes are close to your price range and have the features you'd want.
posted by thebigdeadwaltz at 11:36 AM on July 6, 2017
posted by thebigdeadwaltz at 11:36 AM on July 6, 2017
In addition to front and rear fenders I'd also suggest going with a fixed gear + decent brakes.
It takes a little getting used to, but you'll be able to avoid a whole bunch of the potential problems with water/grit/rust in your gears and derailleurs, and I find I have much more control in the rain with a 1/8" chain and fixed gear (need to slow down? pedal slower!). I see cheap used aluminum Taiwanese single speed frames in the States in the $150 range all the time.
Even with sealed hubs, if you leave the bike in the rain all day every day you'll need fairly frequent maintenance. If at all possible try to find someplace covered to lock up.
posted by aspersioncast at 1:09 PM on July 6, 2017
It takes a little getting used to, but you'll be able to avoid a whole bunch of the potential problems with water/grit/rust in your gears and derailleurs, and I find I have much more control in the rain with a 1/8" chain and fixed gear (need to slow down? pedal slower!). I see cheap used aluminum Taiwanese single speed frames in the States in the $150 range all the time.
Even with sealed hubs, if you leave the bike in the rain all day every day you'll need fairly frequent maintenance. If at all possible try to find someplace covered to lock up.
posted by aspersioncast at 1:09 PM on July 6, 2017
I'd make sure budget a good amount for a decent bike lock. Leaving a bike overnight at a train station gives me the heeby jeebies. Even with a lock, I wouldn't be surprised if various unlockable components of your bike "walk away".
posted by TomFoolery at 4:46 PM on July 6, 2017
posted by TomFoolery at 4:46 PM on July 6, 2017
Not sure if this is an issue in the UK, but lots of older cheaper bikes in the U.S. have steel rims instead of aluminum, and they are worthless and dangerous for braking in the rain. Make sure you get aluminum rims.
posted by knownassociate at 7:40 AM on July 7, 2017
posted by knownassociate at 7:40 AM on July 7, 2017
The Dutch have figured this out. Heavy, indestructible frame. Single soeed. Coaster brake. Covered chain case. It'll last decades.
posted by entropone at 7:56 AM on July 7, 2017
posted by entropone at 7:56 AM on July 7, 2017
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If the bikes you're looking at don't already have fenders, they're cheap to add on at any bike shop.
posted by bile and syntax at 8:09 AM on July 6, 2017