what to check 2nd hand

[stalagmike]

I am picking up my first road bike later this week. A second hand btwin. Just looking for advice on what I should check easily/quickly to avoid purchasing a dud. Anything that would immediately be a deal breaker? Aside from obvious things like massive dents or cracks to the frame or wheels. Thanks!

 

[e-rider]

is it stolen? is the seatpost stuck in the frame? if so avoid, as they never come out again!
minor problems can still have expensive repair bills!

 

[MichaelW2]

Lookup an M check.
Frontal impact may cause paint ripples behind the headtube.

 

[User6179]

chain, cassette, crank, tyres for wear , a second hand bike could be worthless if the cost of fixing it is more than it is worth .

 

[MiK1138]

Concave Wheel Rims a sign of wear, although there seems to be a lot of Wheel bargains about at the moment.

 

[mjr]

http://www.londoncyclist.co.uk/the-bicycle-m-check/

http://www.londoncyclist.co.uk/buying-a-second-hand-bike-in-london/ but I think it's a bit pessimistic about rust. With the seller's permission, prod the rust with a small hex key (don't bend it! Maybe a 4mm which is often the smallest on a multitool) or flathead screwdriver and see if it gives. Surface rust can be treated fairly easily, but structural rust is trickier.

http://www.stolen-bikes.co.uk/ - and a web search for the make and frame number shouldn't produce many hits! Edit: I love the "Recovered" one with the caption "moron posted it on eBay" and there's also a blog post https://stolen-bikes.co.uk/how-to-avoid-buying-a-stolen-bike/

 

[vickster]

Ask the seller for proof of purchase / ownership like a receipt

 

[stalagmike]

Thanks everyone. I will update later in the week with news of either a new purchase or my reason for not buying.

 

[biggs682]

Thanks everyone. I will update later in the week with news of either a new purchase or my reason for not buying.

@stalagmike check the frame for dents ,ripples,cracks and oddly placed stickers

spin the wheels and watch against brake pads for any excessive buckle and flat spots in the rim

check the seat post is not seized in the frame if it is walk away

check gears all engage upwards and downwards and ride without any jumping or slipping

where is bike located ? i might be available to help to offer advice

 

[ayceejay]

In the real estate business they say that 'curb appeal' is a sales magnet, so get past the shiny frame and look for worn teeth on chainrings and cassette.

 

[stalagmike]

@stalagmike check the frame for dents ,ripples,cracks and oddly placed stickers

spin the wheels and watch against brake pads for any excessive buckle and flat spots in the rim

check the seat post is not seized in the frame if it is walk away

check gears all engage upwards and downwards and ride without any jumping or slipping

where is bike located ? i might be available to help to offer advice

Thanks for the offer @biggs682. I'm picking up tomorrow at lunchtime from Paulerspury. A bit of a distance from Wellingborough, but I feel pretty well armed with what to check for from the posts on here, and through chatting with the guy in my LBS.

 

[swee'pea99]

I'd actually spend as much attention on the seller as on the bike. Does (s)he strike you as a decent sort of bod? Wrong'uns aren't usually hard to spot, and people who aren't will generally be straight with you.

 

[biggs682]

Thanks for the offer @biggs682. I'm picking up tomorrow at lunchtime from Paulerspury. A bit of a distance from Wellingborough, but I feel pretty well armed with what to check for from the posts on here, and through chatting with the guy in my LBS.

keep us posted on what you buy

 

[summerdays]

Lift the bike off the ground and drop it two inches.... Whilst listening for odd rattles, I've often heard a noise that has set me off looking for the loose bolt/ headset etc that way.

 

[sidevalve]

Tyres chain sprockets are all consumables - easy to fix and easy to get. Even if they are new you will wear them out sooner or later anyhow. Worry about buckled wheels can be fixed but tricky to do at home - the biggy is frame damage, cracks or ripples NO - walk away. Loosen the saddle and check seat post isn't stuck [as above] if it's solid it can be fixed but again it's a pain. Otherwise not much to be afraid off - it's a bicycle not a saturn 5 rocket.