How To Buy A Used Bicycle

Lookin' fer a "new to ye" used bike can be a dauntin' task, especially if ye be not to familiar wit' bikes, th' components on them, how to judge wear & tear, 'n how much needed repairs 'n replacement parts gunna cost . 

Fer them 'o ye who fit in that boat, ye be in luck, fer I have sailed th' seven seven seas, 'n I be goin' to be spewin' forth knowledge, as I cap'n ye along in 'tis quest. rarrrg. 

A bike be a bike, right? Not so much. No used bikes be ever th' same. 

Used bike check list

A rusty frame isn't going to last long.

• Frame - Clean, free from dents, dings, and rust. You also want to look down the center of the bike to make sure the frame is straight. You really can't be 100% sure on frame alignment without a gauge, but at least eyeball it. Carbon frames require a different test, it is done by sound. You tap on the frame with your knuckle, and listen for buzzing sounds when you knock on it. A buzzing sound can be a sign of a crack.

Check tires for wear.

• Fork - Steel - Not bent. Carbon - No impacts and free of serious scratches or gouges.
• Wheels - Check spoke tension. Make sure the rims are straight. Look at the spoke head/nipples for signs of wear or pull through.
• Tires - Look for cuts, holes, and wear. Check the side walls as well for dry rot, cracking and fraying.
• Brake system - Check pad wear. Cable actuated systems, check cables for wear or broken ends. Hydraulic systems - when was the last brake bleed? Most systems require an annual system bleed.
• Shifting system -Give both shifters a good run through, shifters do wear out, so check to make sure everything is still clicking in there.
• Drivetrain - Is it clean? How much wear is there? Rusty chains, stiff links? Cycle the pedals backwards, if the rear derailleur hops check that section of chain for damage. Firmly grasp the crank arms and give them a shake, check for play, there should be none. Look at the cassette and chainrings for excessive wear, if present,  you'll notice a narrowing of the teeth, or the absence of a couple. Like a hobo's friendly smile.
• Handlebars -Cracks or bends?
• Grips / Bar tape -Rips, tears, sticky?
• Stem -Check the face plate bolts and stem bolts holes for wear or cracks from being over tightened. Most stem bolts only require 5-6 nm of torque, and most people go far past that.
• Seat post- Check for cracks, especially carbon near the seat collar. Also check the bolts and plates that hold the saddle on for sign of stress. The seat post bolt is another commonly over tightened bolt.
• Saddle - Saddles last about 5 years before they lose support. Check for wear and under the saddle to see if the cover is peeling off.



Check the underside of the bar tape too.



Frayed cables will need to be replaced when adjustments are needed.

• Pedals - Are the spindles bent? Pedals with bent spindles can be a sign of an abused bike. It takes quite a load to bend the spindle of the pedal.

Don't forget to maiden voyage ride th' bike before ye shovel out ye doubloons fer it. But before ye ride th' bike, make sure th' brakes set the sails, 'n th' wheels, pedals, 'n handle bars be tight. While ye ride th' bike, shift through all th' gears, maiden voyage th' brakes, 'n listen fer strange noises. If somethin' seems out 'o place, ask 'bout it. It be better to ask questions then get stuck wit' a lemon.

Some things to consider about used bikes.

• No manufactures warranty. No matter what Mr or Miss bike seller says, the manufactures warranty does not transfer with ownership. It is valid to the original owner, with the original sales receipt only. This point alone makes any bike worth much less used than new. For example the limited lifetime warranty that comes on Trek frames, and the one year warranty on the parts is not transferable. New Trek bikes also have an optional Red Shield wear and tear warranty for a 3 or 5 year period, however, this product is transferable for a fee.
• Previous owners. Who rode this bike? How often? Did the owner take care of it? Is it cursed? These questions play a factor in the the value of the bike.  Was the owner hard on the bike? Are the pedal spindles bent from jumping stuff? Not only does abuse on the bike wear out parts, but riding a bike harder than it is designed for can also cause premature cracks to form and bikes can break.
• Wear and tear on the bike. Bikes with regular use require maintenance and new parts, if the parts have not been replaced recently, you can almost guarantee, you will be doing it soon.
• No return policy. You don't like the ride? Bike the wrong size? A total lemon? Too bad, it's yours. New bike shops usually have a return policy. Village Cycle Center allows for 7 days 100% cash back, or 30 days to exchange.

Ye got yourself a new to ye used bike 'n now ye want to get some stuff fixed up or even just changed to fit ye better. Here be a list 'o repairs, bar wraps, flat fixes 'n more, 'n th' cost associated. These prices vary, 'n in order to be tellin' ye exactly what may need to be done, th' bike shop gunna have to spy wit' ye eye ye bike.


What bicycle repairs cost. (These prices be based off 'o Village Cycle Center's Service Menu. Labor charges vary dependin' on city 'n shop.)

Adjustments & Services

Tune-Up - $90 (There is a coupon for $20 off)
Wheel True - $15-$25
Replace Spoke - $20 + spoke(s)
Adjust Brake - $15
Adjust Derailure - $15
Wipe & Lube - $30
Flat Fix - $18 (includes tube)
Bleed Disc Brake - $30 each / $50 set

List of Service & Tune Up Packages
List of Misc Labor Rates
Bike Suspension Service Intervals

New Parts

Box of chains.

Chains - $13.99 - $80.00 + $5 labor
Cassette/Freewheels - $20 - $80 + $5 labor
Tires - $20 - $80 + $10 labor
Saddles - $20 - $300
Wheels - $60 - mucho $!
Bar Tape - $20 - $40 + $7 labor
Grips - $10 - $60
Brake Pads - $5 - $40

 

Buying a bike on the internets?

Here be a couple thin's ye be considerin' when buyin' a new bike from an online vendor.

• Who is going to build the bike? Bikes typically come the manufacturer partially assembled, and will require a full adjustment, as well as additional assembly once out of the box. It will also necessitate several specific tools and a working knowledge of bicycle mechanics.  If you are not capable, anticipate having to pay a bike shop to build it for you. Rates for new bike builds are around $100 and up.
• If there is a warranty issue with the bike, who can you take it to? If your online dealer has no retail location, you may have a bit of problem with a warranty claim on your bike.
• Make sure you get the correct size. It is a giant pain in the butt to return/exchange bikes purchases online, and very costly to have a bike re boxed and shipped for exchange.

All in all, be a used bike worth it? Some be, 'n some be not. If someone be sellin' their barnacle-covered bike thar be a reason fer it. Sometimes people just want a new bike, some be broke 'n need th' doubloons (ye get deals from them folks), they may have out grown th' barnacle-covered bike, or it be simply the hour fer a change. But other times th' cost 'o th' repairs needed on a bike gets to th' point whar it be dump th' barnacle-covered one 'n get a new bike the hour. So ye becareful not to buy someones doubloons pit from them. 

Be vigilante as ye sail th' seven seas 'o used bike sales, 'n wit' a keen eye, 'n some patience, ye gunna score ye own bike lovely booty.

Another thin' ye keep in mind, be, parrots rock.