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What to Look for When Buying a Second-Hand Bicycle

Wednesday, 06 April 2022 | Mackenzie Haskins

What to Look for When Buying a Second-Hand Bicycle

Buying a used bicycle can be trickier than expected. It’s best to have a general idea of what you’re looking for before making an informed purchase. With the cycling industry rapidly changing this can be tricky. Inspecting the parts of a bicycle can best ensure you make the right purchase. What follows is a list of factors you should consider, before buying a used bicycle.

Type of Bicycle: Firstly, understand what type of bike you’re looking for. If you’re riding to work each day, a road bike would be appropriate or if you enjoy traversing unbeaten paths, a mountain bike would be the go. It’s also important to look at the year model. More recently made bicycles will be more expensive and older bikes will be cheaper. As a buyer you are best to look for a happy medium to ensure the parts are of a better standard and to save a few dollars.

The Frame: The frame being the centerpiece holding a bike together is the most expensive part to replace. Small chips and scrapes are fine though it’s important to look for large dents or bends. If you’re looking at carbon models, frame dents are a particular worry as it increases the chance of breaks and fails in the future. The frame is also important in determining what size bicycle you will need. The link below to help determine what size bike and frame you will need:

https://www.bicycling.com/bikes-gear/a20047780/find-right-bike-size/

Tires: The tires of most bikes are affordable and easy to replace. Tires are easily come by, and small punctures can be patched in the short term. Wheel rims are important to inspect as they are worn down by rim brakes over time. Rims not only hold the tire but provide a braking surface which if damaged can lead to accidents. Check the spokes for large bends as this is what loosens and breaks the tire.

The Gears: To check the quality of the gears focus on the condition of the chainrings and the cassette. For those unsure, the cassette is the cluster of sprockets on the back wheel and chainring is the sprockets on the front. The cassette has a larger number of teeth though both are equally important in propelling your bike forward. The cassette should sport smoothly rounded teeth and are in bad condition if they are pointy and sharp. If this is the case, then it is likely that the chain is worn and will need to be replaced. When replacing the chain, the chainrings and cassettes won’t need to be unless damaged as stated before.

Brake Pads: Working brakes are crucial to bring your bike to a stop. To see if the brakes are worn out, there will be wear lines on the pads themselves. Small wear lines aren’t of great concern SO it’s important to look for larger indents. Fortunately bicycle brakes are cheap and relatively easy for a novice to repair.

Saddle and Pedals: The saddle and pedal of a bike being worn is simply a sign of use. This isn’t necessarily a detractor being these parts are better switched to something more suited to your requirements anyway. The pedals should be changed to suit whichever shoes you decide to use when riding, e.g., pedals with pins if you’re wearing trainers and lipless pedals if you’re wearing road cycling shoes. A saddle is best replaced to improve your comfort when riding. Buying and replacing saddles and pedals should be factored into when buying a second-hand bicycle.

Using a Reputable Source: Buying from a known and widely used sellers provides a greater level of security. Facebook and eBay are commonly used though individual sellers have been known to lack transparency. Consider the cost of postage, which can be alleviated all together by purchasing locally. Reputable local businesses should be your go too. Regardless the most important step is inspecting the bike yourself and considering each of these factors.

Extra Equipment: When purchasing a bicycle also be prepared for other necessary expenses such as a helmet. Additional costs should be factored in as various utensils will be required such as a mini pump, spare inner tube and a multi tool.

Understanding the various functions of a bicycle helps to make the right choice when buying second hand bike. With this information, the next most important step is to find a good deal. When looking across the various online shopping platforms that exist be sure to check out Canberra’s auction houses. ALLBIDS have recently received an assortment of bicycles to auction off on behalf of Canberra’s police. These police recovered goods close for auction this Friday (8th April). An assortment of bikes are featured, all different sizes and suited for specific uses. Use the above guide when perusing ALLBIDS.com’s collection. Take a good look at the bike, speak to one of our friendly staff members and remember to budget for that comfy new saddle. Also check out our range of bikes we have currently online on ALLBIDS. If you have bikes to sell, contact us and we will be happy to help. Happy bidding!