5 Tips for Buying a Used Bike

It’s hard to beat the feeling of New Bike Day, but bikes are pricey, and it can be hard to justify shelling out the dough to buy a brand-new bike. Buying used can provide a great solution, but you must know what to look for. So here are a few steadfast tips for buying a used bike. 

Tip 1: Research 

Get familiar with the available bike type and the riding you want to do. It is helpful to start with new bikes on the market to find your ideal bike, then work backward, searching for used bikes that better match your budget. Technology changes quickly, and even though you might save a lot of money with an older bike, new components are often worth shelling out a few extra bucks for the performance benefits alone. It can also be harder to source replacement parts and upgrades for older bikes, so even if you get a screaming deal on an older bike, it won’t do you any good if you can’t get it serviced. You can use bicyclebluebook.com to find an approximate bike value and browse sold listings on popular sites like eBay and Pinkbike classifieds to find the value of the bikes you're interested in. 

Tip 2: Use a reliable platform. 

One of the significant downsides to buying used is the lack of a reliable bike shop to look after you during and after your purchase. Buying from a reliable platform is one of the most important things you can do to ensure you’re buying from a reliable seller. The added reassurance of having a profile assigned to the seller adds a great deal of credibility and means you'll be less likely to get scammed.

Some trusted online classifieds include:

• Facebook Marketplace

• BuyCycle

• Pinkbike Classifieds

• Bicycle Blue Book

There are also several certified pre-owned used bike distributors:

• The Pros Closet

• BuyCycle

• Bike Exchange

Tip 3: Verify the bike  

If you are interested in buying a bike, the first step is to ask the seller to send you a picture of the serial number so you can search for it on bikeindex.com and verify that it hasn’t been reported as stolen. Next, you can search for the bike on 99spokes.com to confirm the year, make, and model. An excellent way to do this is by matching frame color/graphics and researching the components that came spec's on that model. This allows you to see what parts might have been replaced or upgraded and ask follow-up questions for a better bike history. 

Tip 4: Inspect the bike.

A good bike Inspection comes down to knowing what to look for. You’ll want to check off a few key details immediately before getting too far down the line. Check the frame and wheels for cracks, dents, and dings. If you find a crack in the frame, you may want to write off the bike as a whole unless you plan to have it repaired. Next, go through all the bearings and moving parts. Does it squeak or rattle when you ride it? If so, this is a good sign that you may have to put some money into it to get it riding correctly. Next, you can wiggle all the bearings side to side to see if they have any play. You can do this by pushing the wheel side to side on the hub, pushing the crank side to side on the bottom bracket, and moving the bars laterally to the headset. If there is any knocking or creaking, it is a good sign that the bike will need some maintenance or new parts, which can add up quickly. 

Tip 5: Get a professional tune-up. 

Once you’ve pulled the trigger and bought your new, used bike, you should always take it in for a tune-up. Even if it doesn’t need work, getting a professional to inspect the bike and ensure everything is safe is necessary. A professional bike shop can also help you get fitted to the bike and set you up with any accessories you might need to maintain and care for your new bike. 

Conclusion 

Buying a used bike can be a great way to save some money and get you out on the trails for less, but if you aren’t careful, it’s easy to end up with a lemon. Fortunately, if you're patient, know what to look for, and follow these tips, you will surely end up with a great used bike and, hopefully, a great bargain.