What should I look for when buying a used bicycle?

Question

I'm moving to a city where I can ride a bicycle to the grocery store, coffee shop etc. I want to purchase a decent used bicycle. I'm leaning towards a bike that's in between a "10-speed" or road-bike and a mountain bike. What should I look for when choosing a particular bike?

I've never purchased a used bicycle. Other than classifieds (e.g., Craigslist), what types of places can I look? What other issues should I consider, such as size, visual appearance, leaking tires, etc.? How can I make sure it's not stolen?

Answer 1

In my area, there is a shop called Recycled Cycles, where they buy old bikes, fix them up and resell them at a discount. When my wife and I last visited, they had quite a few vintage bikes for sale.

You can also take a look at pawn shops, and if you live near a college/university, the campus police may hold a bike auction near the beginning of the school year. Our department collects abandoned bikes at the end of the spring semester and sell them the next calendar year (giving the owners time to come back and claim them). We usually have 60 or more bikes up for auction, ranging from rust buckets to almost brand new Treks.

As for what to look for in a bike, take a look at the answers in Purchasing a Bike.

Answer 2

As far as avoiding stolen bikes: I would use definitely use Craigslist, but just make sure the seller purports to be the owner (not "I'm selling it for a friend"--what, your friend doesn't have a phone to answer questions? Out of town working for the CIA? Mmm-hmmm...), and has knowledge of the bike. Like, be able to tell you what the frame size is without looking at the bike. Also, they should have an understandable reason for selling. You have to use some judgment there of course. Maybe ask them how they used it in the past. If you get "I don't know anything about it 'cuz..." walk away.

Answer 3

Here are some tips to avoid getting a stolen bike:

1. Google the phone number. If they are selling a number of bikes be alert. If the number is listed with a number of different names, you can almost guarantee the bike is stolen.
2. The price might be suspiciously low.
3. Thieves often know little about bikes and often have very poor grammar and spelling. If it's a very nice bike, a legitimate seller will be very aware of what it is and what it's worth. They won't list is as "AWESOME BIKE. gos very fast. black weels"
4. Things listed as "must go today", "selling for a friend" etc. should raise alarm bells.

Answer 4

In addition to picking the right type of bike and avoiding stolen bikes, which have been addressed in existing answers, it's important to consider whether a particular bike is well made and in good condition. Depending on the price, a few minor maintenance needs may be expected, but a single serious problem or a large number of minor problems can easily make it more expensive to get a used bike in good condition than it is worth.

Avoid department store bikes. Note that many bike shops refuse to service such bikes because they are low quality, hard to repair, and impossible to properly tune.

A quick inspection can reveal mechanical problems. The following list of common problems to look for is loosely ordered from more serious to less serious.

1. Frame. A cracked, bent, or dented frame affects both safety and performance. Not only would it be expensive to get a new/used frame, but removing and installing the parts from the other bike would be a lot of work. Note that creaking can be caused by a damaged frame.

2. Drivetrain. In addition to the cost of replacing rusted parts, a rusty chain, cog, or derailleur is a sign that a bike has been left outside and poorly maintained. Unsmooth shifting may only require derailleur adjustment or new cables (which are easy and inexpensive to replace), but a damaged derailleur is a more serious problem.

3. Wheels. Try spinning each wheel off the ground: it should spin smoothly for a while, and it shouldn't appear wobbly. A hub that doesn't spin smoothly may require new bearings or may even need to be replaced. A slightly warped rim can be a minor problem if there's just a broken spoke, but a severely warped or tacoed rim may be unfixable.

4. Brakes. Unsmooth braking usually only requires adjustment or new cables but can be a sign of a bigger problem.

5. Chain, tires, and brake pads. Replacing "consumable" parts is relatively easy, but a $20 chain, two $30 tires, and two $10 pairs of brake pads adds up to $100. New parts can increase the effective price of an otherwise cheap bike.

Answer 5

It is hard to avoid a stolen bike, however here are some tips

• Ask them for the frame number before you go to view the bike, and then check with the police if it has been reported stolen. (Check the frame number when you view the bike)
• Tell them you will wish to take a photo of them and check IDs before parting with cash.
• Arrange to meet them in their house and note their address, if this is hard you could view the bike the first time elsewere, but you must view it in their house before buying it (Not just outside their claimed home).
• Take a photo of the person selling you the bike
  • One that is a close up of their face
  • Another that shows them with the bike.
• Check their ID (passport or driver's license in the UK) and take a copy of the ID. If it’s a passport of a county other than your own, be very carefully, as do you know what the password should look like?
• Ask to see a bill or bank statement that shows their name and the above address, take a copy if possible. (The copy only has to show the top of the statement and does not have to include any transactions.)
• If you are have still have doubts about their ID, you could ask them to show you a cash card that has their name on it, then ask them to take to you a ATM and (without you looking at them typing in the PIN) prove that they know the PIN for the card.

By this point, anyone selling a stolen bike; will decide you are not the best customer for them! If you think the bike is stolen, tell the police.