Terrible Luck with Second Hand Bicycles

[Reynard]

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

My Raleigh is much like your Fuji, maybe even more so. I did throw a lot of money at it - new wheels and tyres, new drivetrain, saddle, ergon grips, trigger shifters, new cables throughout... Some bits came from my parts bin, other bits I bought S/H from a CycleChat member. But at the end of the day, I have a bike that I really like to ride, and it's totally custom to me.

 

[wafter]

Aye; I recall you replacing most of that

Of course that was always going to be project from the off and a much better way of spending money on a bike than finding much of what you thought upon purchase was serviceable - isn't!

 

[Reynard]

Aye; I recall you replacing most of that

Of course that was always going to be project from the off and a much better way of spending money on a bike than finding much of what you thought upon purchase was serviceable - isn't!

It still ended up being far more of a project than I originally anticipated...

 

[freiston]

I've only bought one second hand bike this side of the year 2000 but had quite a few before then. My take on it is that drivetrain and wheels/tyres/tubes are consumables that will need replacing sooner or later and that with second hand, you're already on the way from later and to sooner. Then there's finishing kit - many people on these boards are quite happy to swap out saddles etc. or fit mudguards to a brand new bike purchase (if they can't specify components at point of sale). Then there's some mechanical issues like seized parts - plenty of people on these boards have had issues with bikes they've had from new - admittedly a lot of these issues can be prevented through disassembly and reassembly with grease, copper slip etc. (and also just regular maintenance). imho the biggest bad luck you can have is a damaged or out-of true frame.

Admittedly, my purchase was an approximately 25 year old relatively low end hybrid (£60) about 2 years ago and so I'm probably talking a whole different ball game to previous posters. I did give it a look over before agreeing to the sale and I did know the bloke selling me it (who had bought it himself 2nd hand a few months earlier).

I've spent a few times that purchase price again (probably £200) on the bike, not all of it necessary but all of it making me happier with the bike. I've replaced the tyres and tubes (which I think were original), I've replaced the manky cup and loose ball bottom bracket with a sealed unit, I've replaced the front wheel with a dynamo hub and fitted dynamo lights, I've replaced the rear twisty shifter with a cheap Tourney trigger shifter, I replaced the awful 6 speed Megadrive freewheel (too big a jump between 1st and 2nd) with a 7 speed, replaced the chain and put new grips on the bars. New brake blocks, some new cables, a bell and rear view mirror have also been added. I also swapped out the saddle, pedals and rear rack with ones I had in the spares box.

I know there are people who would consider how much I've spent in total and consider it an expensive deal but for me, I don't see it like that. I know for sure it is now a good bike (which I didn't so surely know when I bought it and nor did the seller) and that it is an ideal bike for me and its purpose (it's a utility bike that regularly gets locked up in the railway station bike hub when I go to work).

If things had proved near-terminal then it would only be a £60 mistake but instead, I've got a good but old bike for about £260 and I would have spent money on any new-to-me bike to make it better for me, and I would have to spend money on any bike on consumables sooner or later too.

 

[wafter]

It still ended up being far more of a project than I originally anticipated...

lol - don't they all?

Tbh I spend a ridiculous amount of time fiddling with my gear, but in the end I think it's worth it to get as close as possible to a bike that's capable, reliable and suits me well.

I trust yours continues to serve you well? Have you felt an itch for something else? My Genesis was supposed to be the "last" bike in 2020, however since then I've acquired a further four (albeit with "good reason" for each)

 

[Punkawallah]

I have had no problems from second hand bikes, but my expeditions of them are low, so. They are bought on the understanding that money would have to be spent on them, and I set myself a £40 budget (including buying it). They are then stripped, cleaned, greased and re-assembled with parts replaced as necessary, then sold for £40. It’s an entertainment. And someone gets a ‘work bike’ for not very much money.

Both current bikes are second hand, the ‘hack’ is a donated frame built up from garage bits. Think I might have spent 10-20 quid in all, mainly consumables. The ‘tourer’ was £90, new parts and on the road for £160, as I wanted it for £300, and recently re-painted for £600 all in. Is it worth that? Not to anyone else; but it will see me out, and I intend to put in another seven years to get my NI contributions back, then work on the taxes I’ve paid, so not bad over the time I’ll have it.

 

[Jameshow]

lol - don't they all?

Tbh I spend a ridiculous amount of time fiddling with my gear, but in the end I think it's worth it to get as close as possible to a bike that's capable, reliable and suits me well.

I trust yours continues to serve you well? Have you felt an itch for something else? My Genesis was supposed to be the "last" bike in 2020, however since then I've acquired a further four (albeit with "good reason" for each)

I think you have a problem...

Sit down next to me.....

I'm Jim and I'm addicted to s/h bikes.... 🤣🤣🤣

 

[biggs682]

Bought and sold loads of bikes over the years never had any real issues had some fun with some.
Normally only sold on after doing at least 100 miles on them so I can give an honest appraisal, not always the case as some were not worth doing 20 miles on.
But you do have to have your wits about you

 

[Gunk]

Bought and sold loads of bikes over the years never had any real issues had some fun with some.
Normally only sold on after doing at least 100 miles on them so I can give an honest appraisal, not always the case as some were not worth doing 20 miles on.
But you do have to have your wits about you

Same here, I just try and avoid anything that’s been left outside.

 

[sevenfourate]

5 bikes in the fleet. 4 purchased new by me.

The only second-hand: (acquired from my Son) Winter-hack is by far the most expensive to run.

A fact of being the cheapest, used in the worst weather conditions. And having been used all this past Winter - probably doing more miles than any other bike per year……Summer miles being spread between 4 if not all 5 bikes.

As much as I moan / worry / complain when it needs some attention. I do actually enjoy researching parts / upgrades, usually doing the work - and certainly after: feel satisfaction having fixed the problem. And tbh - in Winter on those dark evenings it gives me something to do.

Just like when I used to ride off-road / green lanes on motorbikes: winter miles are often the hardest. on man and machine…..

 

[Drago]

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).

Don't forget the BMX with the loaded shotgun for a seat post, or the Raleigh Wayfarer with the land mine in place of the dynoub.

 

[wafter]

I think you have a problem...

Sit down next to me.....

I'm Jim and I'm addicted to s/h bikes.... 🤣🤣🤣

I thought you were going to offer to fix it for me

Joking aside I do wonder.. while I've alway been able to justify - at least to myself - each purchase, the last was a bit of a push and bought somewhat impulsively.

There's certainly no doubt that I have a problem with storage!

 

[recumbentpanda]

Overheard at a popular cyclists coffee-stop:

’My wife made me get rid of some of my bikes.’
’How many?’
’About twenty.’
’Twenty?!!!’
‘Yeah, mostly ones that were in the bedroom.’

 

[Punkawallah]

Same here, I just try and avoid anything that’s been left outside.

‘Tret rough an’ hung up wet’

 

[wafter]

Overheard at a popular cyclists coffee-stop:

’My wife made me get rid of some of my bikes.’
’How many?’
’About twenty.’
’Twenty?!!!’
‘Yeah, mostly ones that were in the bedroom.’

It does raise the question of when such "collecting" can be considered a legitimate problem and the lack of proportionality between perceived benefits of another and legitimate drawbacks associated with it.

I tend to be guilty of prioritising gear over the drawbacks its acquisition will bring and there's no getting around the fact that bikes are a bloody pain to store. Currently I have two in the shed, two in the dining room, one at the flat, one round a mate's house.. objectively I'd rather have far fewer but it's certainly true to an extent that one bike can't do everything.