Tips for Buying a Used Bike
By Coach, Jason Learned
What type of bicycle should I get?
Many people ask if a century ride can be ridden on a mountain bike and the answer to that is, yes . . .however, if you plan on riding a mountain bike there are a few things that you should do to it to make your ride more enjoyable. The first is to replace your knobby mud gripping tires with a set of slick road type tires. The second is to install a set of bar ends if you do not already have them installed. The bar ends give another position for your hands to be in when riding so they are not in the same position for miles upon miles. Also keep in mind that mountain bikes have lower gears than road bikes and you will have to work harder to ride the same speed as your road bike riding comrades.
We recommend that you ride a road bike because road bikes are specifically designed for the type and style of riding that you will be learning about through out this program. You can also read the article, Bike Types, to learn more about the different types and styles of bike frames. We recognize that not everyone can run out and drop a grand or two on a brand new bike. This article is meant to arm you with the necessary knowledge to enable you to go out and find a good used bike at a bargain price. A brand new, entry level road bike will set you back anywhere from $700-$1,200 whereas a good used bike can be found anywhere from $300-$800 saving you a considerable amount of money.
There are many places that you can go to find used bikes. Some retail stores such as Recycled Cycles or Play it Again Sports have a varied inventory of used bikes. Craigslist is a great resource as you can find used bikes on a daily basis in all price ranges. The challenge with buying a used bike off of craigslist is knowing that what you are buying is right for you. If after reading this article you still have questions about purchasing a new used bike please do not hesitate to ask your coach for additional help or clarification.
What size of bike is right for me?
The easiest way of figuring out the correct size of bicycle is simple and fun! To get a good idea of what size bike frame you need, you should take a day and visit your local bike shop and just test ride as many new bikes as you can. The clerk or sales person should be able to match you with a correctly sized bike. Road bike frames are usually measured/sized in centimeters. The kicker is that different manufactures make these measurements form slightly different reference points. One of the easiest ways to tell if they set you up with a correct frame size is to measure the distance between the top tube and your groin, on a road bike, it should be about 1-2". Remember the size of the frame that fit you the best because this will be the size you will be watching for on craigslist or at the shops that sell used bikes. Once you find a used bike that has the correct frame size and you test ride it and finally purchase it, you should read the article about Fitting Your Bike to You.
What type of components should be on the bike?
When looking at the components on a bike you should make sure that they all work properly and smoothly. You should be able to shift up and down through the gears without the chain falling off or skipping in between changes. The 2 most important components to take a look at are the number of chainrings (Double or Triple) and the total number of gears (speeds).
The typical number of gears on a road bike can be either 21, 24, 27, or 30. You should not be purchasing a road bike with less than 21 gears. If the listing is unclear ask the seller.
Most listings will tell you if the bike has a triple or double chainring. The chainring is the large set of gears that are attached to the crankarms. You should be looking at bikes with a triple chainring as these make it easier for beginning cyclists to get up hills. Read the article, Double Vs Triple Chainrings for more details.
Is there anything else I should be looking at?
Most definitely! Check out the frame for any dents larger than a dime, or cracks anywhere on the frame paying particular attention to the weld seams. If you find any cracks, forget about it! Make sure that the wheels spins freely. Lift the bike off of the ground and turn the handlebars left and right, they should move freely and not bind at all. While the bike is off of the ground spin the pedals and listen to the bottom bracket for loud grinding and feel for uneven or rough travel, this indicates that the bottom bracket is worn out and needs replacing. This is a simple repair but gives you leverage in lowering the price. Check the brake pads and operation of the brake levers.
Some other articles you should read:
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