Some Tips to Remember when Buying a Used Bike
Buying a used bike may save you money but is it really a good deal? Buying a used bike can save you money. With any purchase of a previously owned item, there are some things to keep in mind when evaluating if a bike is right for you. Here are some things to keep in mind when purchasing a used bike.
The quality of the bike will help in determining if the used bike is a good deal. I really enjoy bikes with an aluminum frame. They don’t rust and are really light. A fine crafted bike will have a place in the used market. A cheap bike that rusts is not worth the reduced cost.
Make sure the used bike is right for the kind of riding you plan to do most often. If you are planning to do a lot of riding off road, then a mountain bike is the most logical choice. A touring or road bike is a better choice for riding paved roads. Cruisers are fat tire bikes that are good for riding on the beach. While BMX and dirt bikes may be more associated with racing, these bikes do make a good general use bike.
The most important thing to remember when buying a used bike is to make sure it is right for you. Take it for a test ride to see how it feels. Your legs should fully extend while pedaling. While some adjustments can be made to the seat, adjust it and test ride again. The seat in a better position for your height might not be as comfortable.
The physical condition, the mechanical wear, and overall comfort are all ideas to keep in mind when evaluating whether to purchase a used bike. If the bike will need a lot of work, then it might actually be cheaper to buy a new one. Some repairs to a bike are not that expensive like replacing the tire tube. Evaluate what needs to be fixed and get an estimate on what the total cost to get the used bike road worthy.
All bikes go through some wear. Gears can go out of adjustment, the brakes can become soft and other general bike breakdowns can happen. An experienced cyclist can do most of these repairs; if you feel unconfident to perform such maintenance, take the bike to your local bike shop. When considering the cost of a used bike, if repairs will have to be made should fit into the equation if the used bike is actually a better deal than a new one.
There are many areas to give close attention to when examining a used bike. The physical shape, mechanical condition, and overall care of the bike should be evaluated when buying a used bike. The most important aspect of buying a used bike is that the bike is comfortable to ride. Always test ride a used bike. If you do purchase the bike, enjoy riding and ride safely.
