Terrible Luck with Second Hand Bicycles

[PedallingNowhereSlowly]

I must have owned at least half a dozen second hand bikes over the last 18 months.

My luck has not been too great.

• Willier Montegrappa - advertised as in good working order - wheels were seriously worn. Bought some good used wheels and after a while decided the bike wasn't for me.
• A something something Audax bike - it was a bike shop branded taiwanese frame with some nice kit hung off it. The frame was as bendy as a bendy thing - every time I sat on it, the rear mudguard rubbed the back tyre under the seat stays.
• Specialized HardRock - bought from a member of this forum - I'm pleased to say this has been the only good second hand purchase I've made in recent history.
• Specialized Langster - advertised as just serviced and in good working order. I beg to disagree. Replacement front wheel and new tyres needed to make it safe.
• Trek FX2 - advertised as in good working order - absolutely shot. And to top it off, the BB is stuck fast in the frame.
• Carerra Intercity 8 folder - latest second-hand acquisition. Looks like some threads have stripped on the steerer/headset nut. Hopefully the latter. Proprietary part though.

I think I'm sworn off buying another used bike! Although I do enjoy working on them.

I still have the HardRock, Langster, Intercity folder and the FX2 frame (in the faint hope I can get the BB out one day).

 

[midlandsgrimpeur]

I must have owned at least half a dozen second hand bikes over the last 18 months.

My luck has not been too great.

• Willier Montegrappa - advertised as in good working order - wheels were seriously worn. Bought some good used wheels and after a while decided the bike wasn't for me.
• A something something Audax bike - it was a bike shop branded taiwanese frame with some nice kit hung off it. The frame was as bendy as a bendy thing - every time I sat on it, the rear mudguard rubbed the back tyre under the seat stays.
• Specialized HardRock - bought from a member of this forum - I'm pleased to say this has been the only good second hand purchase I've made in recent history.
• Specialized Langster - advertised as just serviced and in good working order. I beg to disagree. Replacement front wheel and new tyres needed to make it safe.
• Trek FX2 - advertised as in good working order - absolutely shot. And to top it off, the BB is stuck fast in the frame.
• Carerra Intercity 8 folder - latest second-hand acquisition. Looks like some threads have stripped on the steerer/headset nut. Hopefully the latter. Proprietary part though.

I think I'm sworn off buying another used bike! Although I do enjoy working on them.

I still have the HardRock, Langster, Intercity folder and the FX2 frame (in the faint hope I can get the BB out one day).

Does my nut in, to the point I don't tend to buy any used bikes or components anymore. Anyone that describes stuff as 'barely used', 'never ridden in rain' or 'less than 500km' is usually lying. I am always completely up front when I sell parts, I'll say if certain bits (with regards complete bikes especially) are worn or need replacing. A lot of people seem not to do the same.

 

[Jameshow]

There are decent deals out there I found a few last night on the vintage spotted thread.


I'm the same but with cars tbh!🤣

 

[PedallingNowhereSlowly]

And on the vintage bikes ... when they are advertised as 'original' or 'completely stock' but clearly aren't 🤦‍♂️

 

[fossyant]

I've bought two used bikes, and I have bought 'used' components for my old MTB to keep it period. First bike came from a guy I knew, and he was selling it for silly cheap - just wanted rid. Very Nice BMC Fourstroke MTB. He chucked in a brand new Reverb (seat post dropper) and a spare set of cranks. The only thing wrong with it, it was filthy, needed the brakes bleeding, and some bearings replacing/greasing.

Second was a used Colnago Cyclo Cross bike. Absolutely fine, other than needed a good clean and polish as it had been in a loft for some years. The seller was a keen cyclist. As a precaution I changed all the cables, new brake pads, new bar tape, and had spare wheels for it, so some extra tyres. I serviced and changed some bearings on the rear wheel, and the headset has recently had a new bearing.

Both needed work, but I got them for a really good price.

 

[midlandsgrimpeur]

I've bought two used bikes, and I have bought 'used' components for my old MTB to keep it period. First bike came from a guy I knew, and he was selling it for silly cheap - just wanted rid. Very Nice BMC Fourstroke MTB. He chucked in a brand new Reverb (seat post dropper) and a spare set of cranks. The only thing wrong with it, it was filthy, needed the brakes bleeding, and some bearings replacing/greasing.

Second was a used Colnago Cyclo Cross bike. Absolutely fine, other than needed a good clean and polish as it had been in a loft for some years. The seller was a keen cyclist. As a precaution I changed all the cables, new brake pads, new bar tape, and had spare wheels for it, so some extra tyres. I serviced and changed some bearings on the rear wheel, and the headset has recently had a new bearing.

Both needed work, but I got them for a really good price.

I think that is totally acceptable, when you know it needs a bit of work but you are completely aware of it. It's the dishonest sellers who claim something is what it really isn't that wind me up!

 

[Bonzothechippy]

I purchased my Trek calibra Mtb five months ago. It was less than four months old. The forks were loose and needed a new brake lever because it was over tightened and snapped. Plus it had a replacement jell seat.
They guy wanted it gone because it hurt his bum and it was to tiring to ride.
They were selling for around £1,300 new and I got it for £650.
I put a spare set of reasonably decent forks on it and fixed the above in around an hour.
Absolute bargain and a great ride.
If your aware of what your buying you shouldn’t go to far wrong.

 

[oxoman]

First bike off the bay was a dawes giro 300 and it was mint all be it about 6yrs old. The guy got it and didn't like it so stuck it in a spare bedroom. Got a dawes fox 1970s off the bay supposably suitable for a rider 5ft 8, yeah right try 6ft 8. Was complete with original racks mudguards you name it. Sold to a dawes enthusiast and made a few beers. Since then only got off mates or new.

 

[All uphill]

Sounds like some hard lessons learned.

Definitely ask questions of the vendor, but only rely on your own inspection, and if you find they have been untruthful - run!

For me that means only buying local bikes (I don't have a car and I'm not going to travel far to have a look).

I've bought several bikes from recycling charities, and have always been happy - maybe not the cheapest, but as you have discovered, better to pay a few quid more to get a bike that is sound and fits you.

 

[Andy in Germany]

I must have owned at least half a dozen second hand bikes over the last 18 months.

My luck has not been too great.

• Willier Montegrappa - advertised as in good working order - wheels were seriously worn. Bought some good used wheels and after a while decided the bike wasn't for me.
• A something something Audax bike - it was a bike shop branded taiwanese frame with some nice kit hung off it. The frame was as bendy as a bendy thing - every time I sat on it, the rear mudguard rubbed the back tyre under the seat stays.
• Specialized HardRock - bought from a member of this forum - I'm pleased to say this has been the only good second hand purchase I've made in recent history.
• Specialized Langster - advertised as just serviced and in good working order. I beg to disagree. Replacement front wheel and new tyres needed to make it safe.
• Trek FX2 - advertised as in good working order - absolutely shot. And to top it off, the BB is stuck fast in the frame.
• Carerra Intercity 8 folder - latest second-hand acquisition. Looks like some threads have stripped on the steerer/headset nut. Hopefully the latter. Proprietary part though.

I think I'm sworn off buying another used bike! Although I do enjoy working on them.

I still have the HardRock, Langster, Intercity folder and the FX2 frame (in the faint hope I can get the BB out one day).

Sounds like some hard lessons learned.

Definitely ask questions of the vendor, but only rely on your own inspection, and if you find they have been untruthful - run!

For me that means only buying local bikes (I don't have a car and I'm not going to travel far to have a look).

I've bought several bikes from recycling charities, and have always been happy - maybe not the cheapest, but as you have discovered, better to pay a few quid more to get a bike that is sound and fits you.

Exactly. I appreciate that as I work for such a charity, I'm biased, but I've also seen customers refuse to buy a bike with us and turn up a week later with a "bargain" they bought at a car boot sale and want us to fix it.

Bike recycling charities have to make sure their bikes are fixed and safe. It costs more because of the work put into the bike; in the case of the current charity, we replace cables, brakes, and tyres, and anything else that isn't working; the bike is then checked by a master mechanic before being put out for sale. That way, the customer can just buy the bike and know it works.

 

[Gillstay]

Last two I have bought have been very good bargins, the Marin before less so as the headstock is stuck but its the right height and only cost me 60 notes.

 

[DCLane]

I buy towards and at the bottom end of the price range. There's been a few bad buys where the bike was mis-described, but most have been fine. It's a risk I'm willing to take.

 

[Reynard]

Touch wood, I've been lucky.

The vintage Raleigh Max MTB, bought "sold as seen" at the local tip, I only wanted for the frame (more or less) to modify and build up according to my taste. Components were largely shot, but that didn't bother me as they were going to be binized anyway. Frame, forks, seat post, BB etc and everything else was fine, although some marinating in WD40 was required to free a few stuck bits.

My Wiggins Chartres 26 hybrid was bought off someone here on CycleChat who originally bought it new more or less the same time I bought my road bike. Some mods had been made to the original spec, but the bike was very well cared for and it has served me very well for the six years since.

 

[Exlaser2]

I’ve always done really well ( touch wood ) buying second hand .
Ive bought my daughter a trek Lexa with sora, my wife two Lexas one with sora and one with 105 ( she now has bought herself a top of the range new Liv for summer use ) All were no more than a couple years old and had very little use .
For me I’ve bought a great Rose Road bike with a full campag Athena group set with high spec campag wheels , six months old , only ridden twice for half list price . Brought by a mountain biker that wanted to get into road biking but then didn’t like it.
I only have two rules .
1) I only ever buy based on condition. It’s quite easy to tell if a bikes had a hard life . Just look for wear on the frame, group set, wheels and head set bearing etc .
2) Never buy something if you have any doubts at all. There is always another bike to look at.
So far these rules have worked for me and I havnt bought a lemon, so far 😀

 

[wafter]

I think I've been pretty lucky. Both the Brompton and CdF flat-barstard were nearly new; the former's price the better-end of reasonable, the Genesis pretty well-priced.

The Brompton's been a twat but for all the usual Brompton reasons rather than issues confined to that specific bike, while the Genesis has needed a few small bits doing and has a few scuffs, but is extremely presentable and I can't complain for the price.

I suppose my Fuji's been a bit of a money pit but I went in (largely) eyes open and it didn't cost me a huge amount to begin with. Bits that needed rectifying from purchase (rather than anything that's happened in my ownership) include: crankset (fit), some cables (wear/damage), brake levers (compatability), chain (wear), saddle (fit), stem (fit) plus a good deal of general fettling / tidying...

Including remedial work it's probably worth about half what it owes me; however I've had a fair amont of use out of it, its served its purpose well and it's all ultimately pretty small potatos so I don't begrudge it the spend