When buying a used bicycle, keep in mind that it has already been ridden and is no longer in showroom condition. You could be tempted to take the bike to your local bike shop to see whether anything must be replaced as a buyer, but you might not want to. If you take the bike to your local shop, you may have to pay for the work yourself, which you don’t want to do.
Purchasing a used bicycle is an excellent method to improve the cost-to-performance ratio of your bike. When buying used bicycles, there are a few factors to keep in mind:
Consdier these before buying any used bicycle
Be Wary of Scammers — Follow your instincts, if you encounter any red flag then avoid making a deal, simply walk away. There are heaps of cases where people are getting scammed when buying used bicycle.
Keep Some Cash — Your used bicycle will almost certainly require some maintenance. Set aside 10% to 15% of your budget to pay it.
Inquire about and stay away from — A frame with cracks or dents is a no-no, especially on a carbon used bike. Look for rims that have been dented as well. You can replace them but doing so should result in a price reduction. Neglected indications such as a rusted chain or cassette, as well as bald Tyres, are other warning flags.
Get Help — If this is your first bike, get the advice of a knowledgeable friend to comb through the minutiae, or read a lot of reviews. If you can’t locate any reviews and don’t know any mountain bikers, a new bike from your local bike store would be a better option.
Dealer Demos – You can visit your nearest dealers and enquire about the current offers on existing demo bicycles as these will be treated as used bicycles.
Sizing — You can be miserable if you ride a bike that is the wrong size for you. For further information, go to the manufacturer’s website such as REI, Canondale etc.
Get Specifics – Request high-resolution, non-stock images of the actual bike, as well as a complete component list and any technical issues that need to be solved. Inquire about the frequency with which the fork and, if relevant, the rear shock has been serviced. (The correct answer is once a year.) In the case of a full-suspension bike, enquire about how often the bushings and bearings are cleaned (monthly) and when they were last replaced (annually). Some people save maintenance receipts. Inquire about the number of miles they’ve logged on the bike. To be sure the bike isn’t stolen, get the serial number, which is usually stamped on the underside of the bottom bracket shell.
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