There is a good used bike shop at the beginning of the Overtoom, next to Vondel Park. Also Frederic's Bike rentals always has used bikes for sale too. www.frederic.nl Just don't buy one from a guy on the street. They sell stolen ones.
I know, wink wink, a bloke, a bloke who lives on a bridge, he can sell you a bike whenever. Secret is which bridge which bloke.?
Mac bikes sells used bikes. They have a location at the Aaron and Moses church at the Waterloo plein.
bikes are a rip off in amstedam. you'll end up paying through the nose for a piece of crap that'll get stolen a week later anyway. although it only contributes to the cycle, the best option is to take a walk around the red light district, (the end of Oudezijds Achterburgwal in particular and the opposite end near the Uni of Amsterdam) and buy one off a junky. just walk around and make eye contact with anyone pushing a bike (probably muttering 'fiets'). don't pay more than 20 euro and make sure you have the cash ready (eg, you don't need change). this might seem risky and a little wierd at first but it really is a commonplace transaction in amsterdam.
i find it very difficult to believe that you've lived in amsterdam for any period of time and haven't bought a bike off a junky? it's almost an amsterdam right of passage!
Dang it dude. We just don't seem to agree on anything do we, lol. If everyone buys them, then they will keep getting stolen, won't they. I am just not one to support theft. But I will agree that it is commonplace. I rode a bright blue Schwin mountain bike, and never had it stolen. btw, a good used legal bike can be had for less then 100E.
True, but such an idealistic stance will end up costing you a lot of money in Amsterdam. Also, I wouldn't be so sure that the second hand bikes in shops aren't hot (or at least have been at some point).
Remember to buy good locks. That will be expensive but will be worth it in the long run. Also make sure the lights work if you buy a bycicle. A few years ago riding a bike without light was no prob, but recently the police has started a campaign against bikes without light and they are really serious about it. That's why everybody has those little lights clipped on their bag/coat. Btw: I've lived in amsterdam for over 10 years now and my bycicle never got stolen. It did get molested once though and another one "died" on its own. If you get caught buying a bike from a junk you'll get a few 100 euros fine and they'll put it on your criminal record. I must admit the chances of getting caught are very slim though (if you are careful).
Buy one from a junky or steal one yourself.. it's so common, your bike gets stolen anyways, so buy one that doesn't look new..
With that attitude you get what you deserve if your bike gets stolen. If you're careful it won't happen that often though: 1) Buy good locks. 2) Always make sure you have your bike locked to some nonremovable object. (like the rail of a bridge or something) 3) Don't buy an expensive bike. 4) Don't leave your bike at the railroad station if you can avoid it. 5) If it's possible, take your bike inside. Of course, if you're unlucky your bike might STILL get stolen, but this lessens the odds. As I said before, my bike has never been stolen in 10 years. P.S. There is also a secondhand bike shop at Waterlooplein.
You'll almost certainly get ripped off at Waterlooplein (and most of them are stolen anyway). If you are totally against buying one off a junky, then I'd suggest the Lindengracht market (in the jordaan) on saturday morning. You can als check out the Nordermarkt while you're there and pick up some nice organic food.
All good suggestions, but sometimes you can't lock your bike to an object and can't take it inside.. And good locks don't work.. they just ride in front of a parking place for bikes with a van, load some in and ride away.. I've had bikes stolen where the locks cost more then the bike..
