Whether you’re on a tight budget or just frugal, buying used is a great way to score a high-quality bike at a discount price. Having said that, there are some risks. There are plenty of dishonest sellers, damaged or abused bikes, and even stolen bikes for sale. This guide explains how to buy a used bike. We’ll cover where to look, what to look for, how to inspect the bike, pricing, and more. This guide will help you score a great deal on a used bicycle whether you’re buying it from a bike shop, eBay, classified site, garage sale, or thrift shop. Over the years, I’ve bought and sold dozens of bikes. In this guide, I’ll share my experience.
Key Takeaways- How to Buy a Used Bike
Step 1: Shop around. Look for used bikes on online classified sites (Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree, etc.), bike shops, eBay, forums, thrift stores, and garage sales.
Step 2: Narrow down your search. Consider the type of bike you want, the size, your budget, the manufacturer, and the condition.
Step 3: Read the description, look at the photos, research the bike, check the price, and ask the seller questions.
Step 4: Go see the bike in person and inspect it. You’ll want to inspect the frame, fork, wheels, drivetrain components, bearings, brakes, and suspension components. You don’t have to worry as much about wearable parts (chain, cogs, brake pads, etc.) or contact points because these are easily replaceable.
Step 5: Check the bike fit and take the bike for a test ride.
Step 6: If you like the bike, negotiate a deal and buy it. If not, continue your search.
When buying a bike, it’s important to make sure it’s not stolen. There are also lots of scams out there.
It’s also a good idea to set some money aside to replace worn out components. Most used bikes need some work. You might also want to upgrade the saddle, pedals, grips, etc.
Table of Contents
- Why Buy a Used Bike?
- Where to Look for Used Bikes
- How to Narrow Down the Search
- Questions to Ask Bike Sellers
- How to Inspect a Used Bike
- Things to Look for During the Test Ride
- Checking the Bike Fit
- Pros and Cons of Buying a Used Bike
- Tips for Buying a Used Bike
Where to Look For Used Bikes
There are always plenty of used bikes on the market. People commonly buy a new bicycle with big plans of getting healthy or getting into cycling only to let the bike collect dust in the garage. Some cycling enthusiasts upgrade often and sell their old bikes. If you shop around, you can easily find a well-cared-for bike for a reasonable price.
A few good places to look for used bikes include:
- Online classifieds (Craigslist, Gumtree, Facebook Marketplace, or your local equivalent)- This is the best place to find used bikes, in my opinion. The main benefit is that the ads are local. This way, you can meet with the seller in person and physically inspect the bicycle before you buy it. You can ask questions and negotiate in person and you can pay in cash. You know exactly what you’re buying. If you put in the effort to research and inspect the bike, your chance of getting ripped off is low.
- eBay- If you’re looking for a specific model, eBay is a great option. The selection is enormous. You can browse through bikes that are located anywhere in the world. You can also score some great deals due to the auction-style of selling. The problem is that you can’t physically inspect the bike. You have to trust the seller based on their rating as well as their photos and description of the bike. When buying on eBay, you should look at the seller feedback and avoid sellers with scores lower than 95% positive. Of course, eBay is very buyer-friendly. If you don’t get what you paid for, you can return the bike and ask for a refund. The problem is that shipping a bicycle is a hassle. The shipping expense is also worth considering. In the US, it costs around $100 to ship a bike across the country. You could use that extra money to buy a better bike locally.
- Bike shops- Many bike shops sell used bikes. The benefit of buying one of these is that they have probably been checked over and tuned up by a professional bike mechanic at the shop. They should have at least adjusted the shifters and brakes and replaced any wearable parts that needed to be replaced. The bike will be ready to ride when you buy it. Another benefit is that you know the bike is in decent shape. Most used bikes for sale in bike shops came in as trade-ins. The shop wouldn’t have accepted them if they had any major damage. You’re less likely to get ripped off. The drawback is that you’ll pay a bit more than you would by buying from a private party. After all, the shop has overhead and has to make a profit. If you don’t know much about bikes, this is probably your safest choice.
- Thrift stores- These are great places to look if you’re on a tight budget and you’re comfortable working on bikes. Thrift shops mostly stock older or vintage bikes from the 1980s-early 2000s. You won’t find any newer or high-end bikes at thrift stores. You should also be pretty comfortable making your own repairs because these bikes will need some work. They were donated, after all. In many thrift stores, you can find a decent bike for $20-$50. My friend bought an old Schwinn road bike from the 80s at a thrift store for $40 then greased the hubs and bottom bracket and installed new tires. He now uses it for touring.
- Garage sales- This is another great place to score a cheap bike that has been sitting around and collecting dust. Bicycles are a fairly common garage sale item. Particularly older and lower-end models. If you’re out driving around, it may be worth your time to stop by a few. You probably won’t find high-end or newer used bikes for sale at garage sales. The bike may also need some work.
Narrow Down the Search: Things to Consider When Buying a Used Bike
If you live in a big city, it can be overwhelming to sift through used bike listing simply because there are so many options. You might have to look through hundreds of ads before you find the right bike. Before you begin looking, you should consider what kind of bike you actually want. This will help you narrow down your search.
A few things to consider before you start looking for a bike include:
- Type of bike- Do you want a mountain bike, road bike, touring bike, commuter, hybrid, gravel bike, folding bike, recumbent bike, fat bike, electric bike, beach cruiser, or something else? To help you decide, think about the terrain you plan to ride, the distance, how often you’ll ride, and where you’ll store the bike.
- Bike size- The bike needs to fit your height, inseam length, and reach. Fit is crucial. If the bike is too large, it can feel unwieldy and awkward to ride. If it’s too small, it can feel cramped and uncomfortable. You may also experience knee pain or discomfort during a long ride if the bike doesn’t fit properly. If a bike is slightly too small, you can install a longer seat post and stem to make it fit better. If it’s too big, there isn’t much you can do. Don’t buy a bike that’s not your size just because it’s cheaper. You’ll regret it later. Mountain bikes usually come in small, medium, large, and extra-large sizes. Road bikes are measured in centimeters. Manufactures commonly offer a range of sizes from 46cm-64cm in steps of 2cm. Sizes can vary by brand as well. For example, a 60cm road bike from Specialized could be similar in size to a 58cm Trek. The best way to determine whether or not a particular bike will fit you is to sit on it and ride it.
- Types of components- Think about which wheel size you want. 650b, 700c, or 26″? Consider how many gears you need and what type of gearing. Do you want derailleurs, an internal gear hub, or a single speed? Do you want a 1x or 2x groupset? What kind of handlebars do you want? Drop bars, flat bars, or something different? Do you want disc brakes or rim brakes? What frame material do you want? Steel, aluminum, carbon fiber, or titanium? Some components like the pedals, seat, handlebars, and tires can be easily swapped out. Other components, like the frame, wheels, and groupset, are much more expensive and difficult to replace. Of course, swapping out components adds to the cost as well.
- Manufacturer- Maybe you’re a big fan of a particular brand because you’ve enjoyed their bikes in the past. Some brands have a better fit and finish than others. You can search by manufacturer to narrow down your search. You might also consider the brand of the drivetrain. For example, maybe you prefer Sram over Shimano drivetrains.
- Your budget- When searching online, you can filter your search with a price range. It’s important that you stick to your budget. You should also leave a bit of money for repairs and maintenance.
- Condition- If you’re comfortable working on your own bike, you can save some money by buying an older bike that needs some work and fixing it up yourself. If you don’t have any interest in working on your bike, you’ll want to choose a bike that’s in ready-to-ride condition.
- Mounting points- If you plan to mount racks and panniers, water bottle holders, or fenders, you’ll want to make sure the frame has the proper mounting points or braze-ons.
