What to look for - buying a second hand bike

[upandover]

Hi,

A couple of quick searches yielded nothing on this, so I thought I'd ask.

I'm popping tomorrow to look at a Cyclocross bike, some guys winter training bike. If I'm buying a car second hand, I have an idea of what to look for, obvious stuff etc.

Is there anything obvious it would be good to look for on a bike (aside from the type of parts etc? I'm guessing just to ride it, look out for noises, sounds of hubs, ec, and see how it feels? Anything more complicated than that?

Thanks

Steve

 

[chris667]

It's a gamble, obviously. But if I look at an old bike, I do this.
First, have a really good look. Any ripples, that might indicate damage? Stickers in weird places to over up cracks? Dents in the tubes?
Next, have a ride around. Does it creak or wobble? Does everything work? Does it go in a straight line if you ride no hands? If it fails any of these tests, that doesn't mean it's bad, but you should definitely find out more.
Good luck! Come back and ask us if you get stuck.

 

[cadseen]

obviously the price will be important as well. Get a specification of the bike so you can get an idea of its worth before you go and have a look.

 

[Dave5N]

Has he raced it or jet washed it? Listen to the freehub - spin the back wheel. Listen to wheel bearings, BB and headset for noise and inspect for play.

Are the braking surfaces on the rims worn or gouged?

Check for crash damage and check the frame is true.

 

[Sif]

Surely you just need to kick the tyres?

 

[swee'pea99]

Mostly wot you said: 'ride it, look out for noises, see how it feels'.

Hope it goes well.

 

[jimboalee]

+1 on chri667.

And frame alignment. Everything else can be fixed easy.

Take a ruler with you and measure the distances between the inside of the rear dropouts to the wheel flanges. If the rear triangle has been deformed, he will have put an extra washer in one side between the cone and the locknut, and the rear stays will need to be spread to get the wheel in.

Check the parallelism of the headtube and the seattube.

Even so, if there is a slight distortion, a good LBS can get the two tubes parallel with a pair of mandrels. Try to knock him down if you see ANYTHING like this.

I've bought some really bent frames, enough for a lesser person to throw on the dustcart ( well, in fact they had cus they were from a scrapyard ). I bought a 531 once for £5 and got it straightened for a small £5 charge at my LBS.

I digress. Good luck and good bartering.

 

[PpPete]

It's a gamble, obviously. But if I look at an old bike, I do this.
First, have a really good look. Any ripples, that might indicate damage? Stickers in weird places to over up cracks? Dents in the tubes?
Next, have a ride around. Does it creak or wobble? Does everything work? Does it go in a straight line if you ride no hands? If it fails any of these tests, that doesn't mean it's bad, but you should definitely find out more.
Good luck! Come back and ask us if you get stuck.

Have a specially close look at the front end of the top tube (just behind where it meets the head tube) If it's been in a front end impact it will often show up there, on a steel frame sometimes as a bit of rust under paintwork.

Take the chain off, and see how easy to turn pedals. If any resistance, bottom bracket needs attention (or replacement). Not a big job, but you can use it to barter price down.

 

[upandover]

Thanks Guys, I'll come back to you shortly.

Cheers
Steve

 

[Ivan Ardon]

Also check for proof of ownership - is the bike stolen?

 

[upandover]

Thanks guys - I've bought a new bike!

Good point on the ownership, and I was wondering about that earlier. While I didn't see proof of purchase, I did get the full story, and the bits he's replaced etc. I was absolutely confident it was his bike. (poor bloke shattered his ankle).

It seems like a good deal, £150 for a steel cyclocross bike, not a new one but in great condition, Shimano rims and hubs, (shop bloke who trued them this afternoon said they were nice wheels, he thought I had bought an expensive bike), sora derailier, and a new Campagnolo crankset, 105 brake changers etc. Not sure what else to say about it other than it seems a simple but well built bike. Clearly a used bike, but a nice on to ride. Already had a very muddy ride around our local waterlogged park this aft. It came with wheels out of true (which I knew), but no other faults I can find.

I'm not using it for racing, more for messing around, trail and canal riding etc, and with the kids where anything goes, and possible with other tyres on if I want for other riding.

Thanks for the advice guys - very helpful.

Steve

ps- If you think I got ripped off - I'm happy and so I think I'd like to continue being happy, even if in ignorance!

 

[palinurus]

If it's got nice wheels and 105 shifters then it's probably a pretty good deal.

 

[upandover]

I thought that was sarcasm, but I've just looked up the price of 105 shifters! Good grief.

Thanks.

steve

 

[palinurus]

Already had a very muddy ride around our local waterlogged park this aft.

Fun, isn't it?

 

[upandover]

Fun, isn't it?

Absolutely!

Steve