Buying a used bike

Buying a used bicycle is better for the planet and can be more affordable than buying new. However, your savings can be quickly offset if expensive parts need to be replaced. You can always meet the seller at the bike shop, where we can give the bike a free assessment. If you're checking it out yourself, here are some things to think about.

Some components wear out from regular use and we expect to replace them every few thousand miles, namely the tires, cables, brake pads, grips or bar tape, and drivetrain components like the chain. Problems with these isn't too much of a cause for concern; with a tune-up your bike can go from being 'used' to 'refurbished.' Other parts, like cranksets and bottom brackets, wheels, and the bicycle frame itself can be pricier to replace. If the bike is a great deal, you may consider purchasing it regardless, and plan to refurbish it more completely. Catching these problems at the time of purchase may allow you to negotiate a better deal with the seller.

First, look at the bike overall. Are all the tubes straight? Are there any large dents, rust spots, or suspicious amounts of tape wrapped around certain parts of the bike? When you look from the front or back, are the wheels sitting in the middle of the bicycle frame, or are they tilted to one side or another? If any of these things are amiss, the frame may be bent.

Lift the frame up an inch or two and gently let it drop to the ground. Do you hear or feel any rattling, like some of the parts are loose? This could indicate that some of the bearings are loose or worn out or something else is out of adjustment. Try to isolate the movement and check out what part of the bike it's coming from. Loose bearings can be adjusted, but replacing them if they're very worn out will be more expensive.

Inspect the wheels. If the bicycle has rim brakes, feel the rims. If the rims are concave they will have to be replaced soon. Squeeze the spokes—are any broken or missing? While spokes can be replaced, this is cause for concern. Wheels are the priciest part of a bike, starting at around $70-150 for the part and installation labor. However, if you spin the wheel and it looks a bit out of true, or it wobbles a little bit from side to side, it can likely be adjusted. Same goes for tires—if they're a bit cracked or dry, replacing them won't be too expensive. A flat tire is likely no cause for concern.

Squeeze the brakes. Do the levers move? Does the brake caliper move? Do the brakes stop the bike when you roll it forward? If there's some resistance, it could mean that the cables need to be replaced and the calipers adjusted; if there's a lot of resistance or none at all, something may be seized or broken. If the brake levers feel okay but the brakes don't stop the bike, the pads may be worn or the brake out of adjustment.

If the bike has gears, shift while turning the pedals or taking the bike for a spin. This will allow you to get a feel for the bike's drivetrain, which consists of the chain, the cassette or freewheel (rear gears), and the chainrings (front gears). If the chain skips forward under load, it (and likely the cassette, and possibly the chainring) may need to be replaced. If shifting is slow or difficult, old cables may be to blame. In some cases, derailleurs may also need to be replaced.

Grab the pedals and rock them side to side. Do you feel any movement beyond the way they should normally rotate? This indicates a loose or worn out bottom bracket. If the bike is really old, and has cottered cranks, this could be an expensive replacement; otherwise, it's likely to fall in the $60-80 range for the part and labor.

Ask the seller why they're getting rid of the bike. Great reasons: they're moving or can't store the bike, it's the wrong size, or they're upgrading. Ask them about the service history. When was the last time the bike got worked on, and what was done? Unless the bike was just tuned up, it's a good idea to bring it by a shop. Not only can we take a look and make sure it's safe to ride, we can also help to fix problems before they get worse—and more expensive. Set aside some of your bike budget for service and you'll end up with a new-to-you bike at much less than the cost of a brand new one!