Shopping for a used bike

(continued)

For many people, buying a used bike is the way to go. Sometimes you can find a great deal when shopping for a used bike if you know where to look and what to look for.

Many times, you can find a newer used bike at a significant discount. You may come across someone who recently purchased a bike and, for whatever reason (she’s moving, he needs the money) — has to sell. A bike is just like a car in one way: The moment it’s sold for the first time, it depreciates in price. Buy a bike after that initial sale, and you could be getting a real steal.

Not all bike shops sell used bikes, but those that do will have usually inspected the bike and made any necessary repairs before selling them. So if your local bike shop sells used bikes, that’s a great place to start.

76 Part I: Getting Started (continued)

Beyond bike shops, you can shop at flea mar­kets and garage sales; peruse the classifieds in the local paper; or check the Internet. Sites like eBay (www. ebay. com) and craigslist (www. craigslist. org) offer a wide variety of bikes. The advantage of craigslist is that you can shop in your town and likely take the bike for a test-ride before you buy.

You can tell a lot about a bike and how it was maintained just by looking at it. If there is rust and corrosion in the chains or cables, if the paint is worn and chipped, if the tires are start­ing to rot, this could be a sign that the bike was neglected and may not be worth the invest­ment.

If you’re going to test-ride a used bike that isn’t being sold by a bike shop, be careful. The owner may not have maintained the bike and, in the worst-case scenario, something may come loose or fall off, causing you to crash. Before you ride, perform the pre-ride inspection from Chapter 16. In particular make sure that:

✓ The brakes work.

✓ There is no looseness in the handlebars or headset.

✓ The pedals and cranks are secure and the bottom bracket is not loose or binding.

✓ There are no bad links in the chain and the cog and chainring teeth are not worn.

✓ The wheels are attached properly and there is air in the tires.

✓ Assume that you’ll have to do some repairs or tune-ups on the bike, and evaluate the bike to diagnose just how much repair is needed. You can get a great deal if you’re willing to do some of the repair yourself, but don’t take on too much — the bike may not be worth it.

✓ Check all bearing surfaces, the bottom bracket, the headset, the hubs, and the pedals. If these are in bad shape, an over­haul may not be sufficient and those parts may be shot.

✓ Inspect the drivetrain. Are the chain and the cogs/chainrings in good shape, or are they significantly worn? A blown-out drivetrain could be prohibitively expensive to repair.

✓ Are the wheels true? Are the rims in good shape, or are they worn on the braking sur­face? What is the quality of the brand of the wheels? This information helps determine the value of the bike.

✓ Are the cables still usable? When you shift or brake, is there resistance from fric­tion and corrosion, or are they smooth? Replacing cabling can be a pain.

✓ Is the frame free from rust and dents?

Buying accessories

Bike shops are great when it comes to helping you find the right biking acces­sories. Staff in many bike shops use much of the equipment they sell, so they can talk to you about what works well and will fit with your budget. When you’ve found a bike shop you trust, the staff can even advise you if they think that a more expensive product isn’t worth the additional cost or if a cheaper product is cheaper for a reason and should be avoided.

Here are some accessories you may want to consider buying:

✓ Helmet: For safety reasons, a helmet should be at the top of your list. The bike-shop staff can help you find a helmet that fits properly and doesn’t move around on your head. They can also help you adjust the straps to fine-tune the fit.

Sizing is very important. A $20 helmet sized properly will protect you better than a $150 helmet that doesn’t fit or is not adjusted properly.

✓ Lock: If you’re ever going to leave your bike alone for more than a minute or two, you’ll want a lock. The folks at your local shop can help you find a balance between a lock that’s difficult to cut and one that doesn’t weigh too much.

✓ Gloves: Biking gloves will reduce vibrations and provide protection if your fall off your bike. Bike-shop staff can help you decide whether to get gel padding, full fingers, or cutoffs, and how tight the gloves should fit. They may suggest rolling your gloves off rather than pulling at the fingers (which can prematurely tear the stitching).

✓ Bike pumps: You’ll need two pumps: a mini bike pump to mount onto the frame and a larger pump to keep in the house. You may also want to consider a CO2 cartridge system for quick and easy tire inflating. They’re a little more expensive than traditional tire pumps, but they’ll get you back on the road fast.

✓ Lights: Bike lights will keep you safe if you get caught out after dark. The folks at your bike shop can offer suggestions on what types of bulbs are best for both front and rear lights, whether rechargeable batteries are the way to go, and where to mount the lights.

✓ Computer: A computer will track statistics regarding each of your rides and provide motivation when you ride to exercise. Staff can help you decide if you need extra features such as a heart monitor, altimeter, and wireless connection.

✓ Shoes: Biking shoes designed to work with clipless pedals will signifi­cantly improve your pedaling efficiency. Staff will advise you on whether to buy stiff road biking shoes or ones designed for walking, as well as talk to you about the best type of material and whether the shoes will work with your pedals.

✓ Clothes: Bike clothes can keep you cool in warm weather, warm in cool weather, and dry in wet weather. Staff will help you find properly fitting clothing for the right season and provides padding and wicks moisture where you need it the most.