Our tips for buying a secondhand bike

The simple reason most people will buy a secondhand bike is to simply to bag a decent spec and save money. However it can come with some risks: Worn-out components, cracked frames, scammers and item descriptions that are not entirely true. It happens too often in the used bike market but we’ve put together some top tips to guide you through the process and help prevent any problems along the way.

In this guide, you’ll find our recommendations on how to approach buying a used bike, some of the pitfalls to avoid and the things that you need to be wary of. A lot of these tips apply to any kind of bike, so whatever your bike or budget, hopefully we can help you bag a bargain and save you some money.

Red Flags

Let’s get straight into the ‘rules’ of buying secondhand so you don’t get scammed

• Trust your instincts. If it seems too good to be true, it almost certainly is.
• Steer clear of secondhand bike adverts using stock/library pictures. A secondhand bike is a one-off so a picture of it is an absolute must.
• Be wary of vague descriptions. Legit sellers will be quite specific about their bike spec
• Never pay using unusual payment methods like gift cards, payment links or money transfers.
• Always try to pay using a service which offers buyer protection (eg PayPal, Credit Card)
• Never feel pressured by a seller into buying something you’re unsure about.
• Never purchase away from a platform the bike is listed on
• Avoid meeting up in remote, lonely places. Take someone with you if possible, meet in an open, populated space.

Where to buy

The safest and easiest place to buy a secondhand bike is from a reputable cycle shop. You know the seller is legitimate, you can see the bike in person and they may let you test ride it too. If it does need any work they can quote or factor that cost into the selling price too. You may pay a little more here than online but consider that an insurance policy for peace of mind.

Equally, buying a bike online is safe too. The safest option again is from a reputable online retailer or shop but platforms like Ebay and Facebook Marketplace coupled with PayPal are a good place to bag a bargain. Before you hit the Buy button though check out the photos, read the description and have a look at the sellers history to try and guage how you feel about them. Trust your instincts. Does it feel right? Do they look legit? Maybe ask them a technical question or request extra photos. Scammers will be easier to spot based on their responses. Keep in mind the Red Flags above at all times.

Buy in Person

Always try to see the bike before committing to the purchase. It’s a great chance to check the bike for wear and tear and size too aswell as size up the seller. Your idea of wear maybe different to someone else’s so be sure. If you are tempted by a bike too far away to go and see it, ask for additional, close-up pictures of the components you would check in person. Any reputable online seller will understand why and happily supply them. If you get any push back from them, it’s a red flag!

Bike Services UK can collect and deliver any bike without a box

Tools

If you go and look at a bike it’s worth taking some basic tools. A set of allen keys so you can check the bolts etc and adjust where necessary + a chain checker for wear.

Stolen?

You do not want to buy a stolen bike. Ask to see proof of purchase and check the frame number on the Bike Register Database. Any signs of the frame number being tampered with or if it’s missing is another red flag! Walk away. Ask the seller some questions about the bike and the reason for sale. How they respond will give you confidence if it’s legit.

Checks

Lets take you through some basic checks we would recommend you do before committing to buying a secondhand bike.

• Is the bike clean? A dirty bike for sale = not looked after
• Seatpost. Undo it, take it out, check it moves freely. Check for delamination if its carbon.
• Frame and Fork. Visually inspect them for crash damage. Cracked paint. Buckled tubes. Ask the question. Rock the bike back and forth with the brakes on to check the headset. Turn the bars left and right. How does it feel?
• Drivetrain. Check for chain wear with your tool. Inspect the cassette/chainring teeth and rear derailleur jockey wheels. A shark fin profile = worn. Put the bike in 1st gear, are the jockey wheels perpendicular to the rear wheel?
• Wheels. Spin and wobble both and look for buckles, listen for bearings and play. Check the tyres for wear. If the bike has rim brakes, check rim wear. Anything concave = worn.
• Brakes. Check they work. How do they feel? Do they make any noise?
• Finishing Kit. Give the saddle, bars + tape and pedals a once over. They can reveal signs of crash damage.