Advice About Second Hand Bike Buying
A relatively uncomplex design has meant that push bikes have been embraced in every country of the world. In practice this means that parts are easy to build and can be replaced with relative ease should they go wrong. Having said this, some bike parts are easier and cheaper to replace than others, so you should keep an eye out for certain things when purchasing one second hand. Below we look at some of the more serious issues you can find on second hand bikes, and the ones that crop up most often.
Badly Rusted Frames. Before checking anything else, make sure the frame is in good condition. This is literally the backbone of the bike and if it’s not in good shape it spells trouble for the whole bike. Dissimilar to surfboards and snowboards that are often coated with strong waterproof layers, bikes are often only given a coat of paint to protect them from moisture. The result of this is quite quick corrosion once the paint barrier is breached due to damage or flaking. Give the entire frame a good once over and if you see any rust, inspect well to see how bad it really is.
Suspension. Bikes are still being made that do not have suspension, but as their are millions of bikes that do it is worth commenting on. The best way to test the suspension is by riding the bike and really putting it through its paces. If there is any hindrance of the performance, such as sticking or excessive noise, get it checked out properly buy a bike expert. A very common problem with lots of types of suspension is wear and tear around the seals, which can be identified by a hissing of air or release of suspension fluid when the devise is compressed. If this is the case, the seals will need to be replaced. This is the seller’s responsibility, but you could do it yourself if they are willing to bring down the cost of the bike.
Strength of Wheels. Admittedly the wheels are rarely the greatest expensive to replace on second hand bikes, it’s worth noting that problems very rarely effect just a single wheel at a time. Spend some time testing the strength of the rims and looking for serious rust, as well as inspecting the spokes. If they are broken or bent it could be a sign that the whole set needs replacing.
