Hello, I have just moved to Amsterdam and was wondering if anyone knew where i could get my hands on a cheap and cheerful second hand bike... and roughly how much i should pay?

Your thoughts most appreciated

N

marktplaats.nl

Good suggestion.
You should be able to pick up a standard fiets,good condition with 3 gears,everything in working order for about €100.Bikes are usually a bit more expensive in the 2nd hand shops but you get to have a proper look - sometimes you can waste a lot of time going to peoples houses and get there and its rubbish.

I've seen Aldi have completed assembled new bikes for less than 150euros. They look of good quality too.

I've seen the cheap makes around and they LOOK ok...but from what I know from other people,the parts tend to break easy and it can be a lot of messing around getting them to run properly...
I'd sooner spend €150 on a tidy reliable 2nd hand thing and have less pissing about - personally.

I totally agree with Mr Fook, unless you are an almost professional bicycle mecanic! OMG, these breaking frames etc can be a pain in the butt!

New bikes at €150 are so cheap for a reason.
The parts are made from poor quality steel etc.
Yes Emilio and if the seat breaks and you get that steel tube thing in your ass - that is indeed a pain in the butt !

Check out the www.fietspiraat.nl They have a new batch of 2nd hand bicycles every week. Sometimes very nice ones, sometimes . You can haggle a bit or ask them to put in a free lamp. Nee heb je, ja kun je krijgen. Prices are around 65 Euro.

Wow you guys can be vicious when you turn your nose up on something. I offered it as an option, sorry it doens't meet your standards. However, I usually take my cues from the Dutch who are the experts on bikes. And basically I was told that the 150 Euro bike at Aldi is of the caliber of a 300 Euro bike elsewhere. However they concur regarding the parts, meaning if you need a new one, it could be hard to get it replaced but they aren't put together badly.

Why not just find any bike shop - most will have a second hand stash out the back.

Here's the phone number for Recycle Bikes on Spuistraat (keep going north from the back of the Dam Sqaure Albert Heijn) - 0654 681429. Basically the guy buys bikes from the Politie, repairs them and sells them for between 60 and 100 euro - free chain and back wheel lock and lights as well (only the ones on elastic bands but they're still good enough).

I'm very happy with my fiets!

Is there any magazines which deal in 2nd hand stuff which is published here?

There is an equivalent in the UK but I can't remember the name.

I've been looking for a 2nd hand bike with front brakes - after visiting 5 shops the cheapest is 145 euros, which to me is madness, that's about 125 pounds.

I asked my friend in the UK to look in his local papers and he found one for 6 quid which was perfect, but to ship it over would cost hundreds so not a viable option.

I'm sorry but I do consider these prices ridiculous, considering the amount of bikes used in this country. I wouldn't mind paying 45/50 euros but 145!

Come on sweet Monkeynuts, I thought only the Dutch are "tacaños"!

My partner picked up a second hand garden patio set last week and the owners gave hime two second hand bikes too! Not very helpful in your quest I know but surely worthy of a mention

Unbelievable cheapskate, I can't believe you think 145 Euro is a high price.

My bike cost 1,600 euro's and is worth every penny, but then again I cycle over 200 Km each week, every week of the year in all weathers, so I want something that's quality, well made, comfortable & fast, the tyres alone cost 100 Euro a pair.

http://www.koga.com/uk/

Where do you park it? :evil grin:

But seriously, I had a KogaMiyata(racing) for 15 years and it never let me down. Top materials. Then I came home after 2 yrs Australia....my parents gave it away.... :crying out loud:
Whenever I see one...sweet memories.

Then again, wouldn't drive this bike in Amsterdam. Those junkies don't deserve a KogaMiyata.

Actually,its more likely to be stolen by organised bicycle thieves who operate in groups with a van.

I never leave it in the street, I carry it up the stairs to my apartment, and at work there's a decent bike shed with a lock & key.

Loot ?
http://www.loot.com/ is their online version, combining all of their regional newspapers.

backside of amdam station (where the tourists dont go) i hear all the smack-heads hang out and the going price is about 20euros.

failing that you can even get a cheapy vouwfiets for 150e from boring old halfords. cheapy omafiets (the chinese ones) about 130 most places. look at bycycle hire places next to stations - often have them 2nd hand ready to go.

i would go for the later option!