What to Look for When Buying a Used Bike
Spring is just around the corner, which means it’s the perfect time to start looking for a new bike. If you’re not a mechanic, buying a used bike is pretty daunting, but the Global Cycling Network offers a few simple things to watch out for.
The video contains a number of tips, some of which are more obvious than others. Here are some highlights:
- Examine the bike for dents, kinks, and rust. If it’s a carbon bike, look for cracks. Check for strange turns by taking a test drive, then remove your hands from the steering wheel (assuming you cannot ride without hands). If the bike rocks a lot, it may be out of alignment.
- Test your headset by holding the brakes and moving your bike back and forth. If you feel a knock, then the headset is not properly secured, which, while inexpensive, also suggests that the owner has not looked after it very well.
- Test the brakes by pressing the calipers directly instead of pulling the brake levers. If they come back, they are fine.
There’s a lot more in the video, including everything you need to look at the drivetrain and know it’s safe to ignore, like a coarse chain or a coarse tape on a tire. Once you’ve settled on a used bike, be sure to take it to your local bike store for inspection if you’re not mechanic-minded yourself.
How To Buy A Used Bicycle | Youtube