Most residents of Cambridge end up getting a bike at some point - it makes commuting much easier, especially if you end up living in private accomodation.
What kind of bike should I buy?
Be aware that bikes, when kept out in the rain, can deteriorate very quickly in Cambridge. Cheap no-name bikes, e.g. the notorious “Professional” brand, need constant (often expensive!) maintenance to remain serviceable - it is almost always a better idea in the long run to find a reasonably priced used cycle somewhere. (Personal anecdote: I bought a cheapo bike, for which almost everything broke - the seat rusted out, the handlebars detatched from the steering column, both wheels developed wobbles, and the bracket holding the pedal axle wore, all in < 1.5 years. Fixing it properly cost > £100 all up.)
Prices to expect are
New, low-end bike (e.g. Halfords, Cycle King), - £150-200
New, midrange commuter bike - £200-£400
New, high-end bike - £400+
Used name-brand bike (Raleigh, Giant, BTWIN…) - £100+
Used bike from an old student - £70-£130 (great deals available during early September, check ticketbridge on Facebook and WhatsApp chats)
Used no-name bike - do not pay money for these
Some additional notes:
Larger bikes (suitable for people >170cm) are generally more expensive by 15-25%
Mountain bikes tend to be cheaper than city bikes.
Step-through bike frames are often heavier than a similarly-sized conventional frame.
Secondhand bikes from bike shops are more expensive than equivalent bikes off e.g. marketplace and Byke. However, they are much more trustworthy.
Pannier Racks
When buying one of these, you will need to check that it will fit your bike. This is a lot easier in a brick-and-mortar store.
Maintenance
DIY
Christ’s has a small set of (admittedly annoying-to-use) tools through the blue gate off the side of the typewriter, behind the 2-level bike park (ask a Porter for directions if you need help). This can save you quite a bit of dosh in some cases - it’s relatively easy to
Replace your own brake pads ( £8 at halfords)
Adjust your brakes and gear levers
Replace a chain (if you can find the right tool)
Replace a broken seat
Replace a broken bell
Oil a dry chain
Replace a worn-out or seized cable
Change a tyre tube
if you are persistent. (If you are not, there are many memers of the MCR that would be hally to help)
Professional Servicing
For maintenance at a mechanic, typical quotes are on the order
Air - free
Wheel trueing (i.e. fixing wobbles) - £10-20 per wheel
Bottom bracket replacement - £60
Bike Shop Review (WIP)
Online
Byke (formerly Oxbikes)
An online-only bikeshare scheme. They both buy and sell. If you know what to look for, you can get a reasonably good, well-maintained secondhand cycle for £90-£200. (Be warned - it’s peer-to-peer, so bikes are sold “as is” without warranty. They sell both good and bad bikes.)
Marketplace / Gumtree
Great deals available, but proceed with caution.
City Centre
The Bikeman, Market Square
Charges a fair price for bikes and repairs, in my experience (£15 for wheel truing).
Will pump up your tyres for free if they’re not busy
Cyclesmith, Market Square
S&G Cycles, Silver Street
Will do short-term bike rentals for a reasonable price
Cash only (the madman running the place will staple your deposit to your receipt)
Broadway Cycles, King Street
Decent prices available (~£100), but choose carefully.
Evans Cycles, Grafton Centre
Premium new bike shop.
Kingsway Cycles, near Grafton Centre
Expensive, limited range.
Chesterton
University Cycles, Chesterton
Have a wide range, but a bit pricey last I checked.
Mill Road
Cycle King, Mill Road
Sell a range of barely-rideable to downright unsafe secondhand cycles, likely designed to upsell you to one of their atrocious new bikes. Do not shop at Cycle King.
Marketplace and Gumtree: Avoiding Stolen Cycles
Bike theft is very common in Cambridge, and as a result, there are always a large number of suspiciously cheap secondhand high-end bikes for sale on Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace. Though some listings are legitimate, you should proceed with great caution if you try to purchase one — always check the stolen bike register to make sure you’re not buying ill-gotten goods. (moral reasons aside, there’s a good chance someone may demand their bike back!)
A suspicious seller on Facebook
Red Flags:
Nondescript background (e.g. bricks, fence) similar to background of other bikes for sale
Seller has many dissimilar top-of-the-line bikes for sale
Lackluster description, e.g. “18inch Frame Rear pannier rack Everything works fine”
Green Flags
Seller visible in photograph (becomes red if this seller is different to the person you meet)
Details given in description