Used Bike Buying Guide Including Checklist
There are many advantages to purchasing a second-hand bike - with the cheaper purchase price as one of the main benefits. However, one of the biggest challenges of buying a second-hand bike is finding one for the right price in the right condition whilst ensuring the sale goes through safely and securely. A lot of the risk of purchasing a second hand can be negated by trusting a bike shop which sells second-hand bikes - choosing this route will see you purchase a freshly serviced and mechanically sound bike.
If you choose to buy a used bike privately, check out our do’s & dont as well as our mechanical checklist, below:
Don't Trust Photos
Photographs will not always tell the full story of a bike’s condition - and it’s very easy to be tempted by some very kind pictures of a bike which is actually in pretty poor condition up close. Although detailed photographs can give you a good indication of the condition of a bike, they cannot accurately show the mechanical condition of the bike, whether the bike is skipping gears or whether or not bearings are worn down and degraded. In some extreme cases, private sellers use stock images of the bike from the manufacturer because they cannot be bothered to take high-quality images themselves.
Do not be concerned about asking for more photographs of the bike - up-close images of components such as the chain, tyres, and brakes are good for giving an indication of whether you will need to replace anything - and the more information you gain at this point, the better your decision-making process will be.
Carry Out A Stolen Search
If something appears too good to be true, it usually is. So it’s always a good idea to check to see if the bike you are buying is registered as stolen. The Bike Register Base is a good place to start. A couple of non-intrusive questions are also a good starting point; ask why the bike is being sold - and you can also ask for the original receipt/bill of sale.
Used Bike Mechanical Checklist
Below is a rough guide on the things to check on the bike you are considering purchasing; these checks can only be done in person and, once carried out, will give you a good idea of the bike's condition.
Cracked Carbon Frame
This is one of the biggest problems a carbon bike can have, and although repairable - a carbon fibre bike with a crack in the frame is totally unusable.
Buckled Wheels
If the rim of a wheel has had an impact when in use, it may be buckled. A buckled wheel feels pretty terrible to ride - and the wheel can cause premature wear of the brakes and chainstay of the bike unless it is replaced.
Poor Gear Changes/Worn Gears
If you test-ride the bike, you should be able to identify poor gear changes. Also, examine the teeth on the chainrings and the cassette - teeth on these components should be round; if they look sharp - they are worn and need replacing. By purchasing a chain wear indicator, you can check if the chain is worn.
Worn Bearings
You can’t see the bearings on a bike visually without taking the bike apart. Instead, you should conduct a few simple tests to test the condition of the bearings. To check the headset bearing, move the handlebars from side to side and listen/feel for a grinding motion.
To check the bottom bracket bearing, push the side of the pedals to side to see if there is any play - the pedals should also spin smoothly. It’s the same with wheel bearings, look and feel for grinding.
Consumable/Changeable Items
Try to avoid worrying too much about worn-down consumable items, such as brake pads and tyres - that can be replaced before you start riding, but think about the costs of these items and take this to your haggling position. Equally, do not worry about personal preference items, such as saddles and pedals - as these can be changed to suit the rider.
Buying A Dirty Bike
It’s up to you whether or not you want to buy a dirty bike - but it does show that the owner has not looked after the bike as well as they should have.
Retain Some Budget
Buying a bike is just part of the kit that you need to hit the roads or the mountains - so retain some budget for essentials, such as padded shorts, water bottles and puncture repair kits, keeping you moving and most importantly, comfortable.