Buying a used Bike

[Sharpys top lip]

So like everyone else in these crazy time, I'm going out of my mind stuck at home. Recently i bought my lad a bike (well Santa brought it for him) and he's started riding. I've been borrowing my mates bike to go riding with him and we both love it, been great being out the house for a few hrs at a time. So now i need my own bike.

I do want a decent one like a Carrera,or Scott or something like that. Not a top end bike but a decent one. Thing is i Don't want to buy a brand new one but I'm prepared to pay a few hundred to get the right 2nd hand one. As im new to this it's an absolute mine field out there on things like Shpock or EBay..... Has anyone got any good ideas on where to look or tips on getting a decent one.

or if you have one you want to sell....


Thanks in advance all
Sharpy......

 

[COYBL25]

So like everyone else in these crazy time, I'm going out of my mind stuck at home. Recently i bought my lad a bike (well Santa brought it for him) and he's started riding. I've been borrowing my mates bike to go riding with him and we both love it, been great being out the house for a few hrs at a time. So now i need my own bike.

I do want a decent one like a Carrera,or Scott or something like that. Not a top end bike but a decent one. Thing is i Don't want to buy a brand new one but I'm prepared to pay a few hundred to get the right 2nd hand one. As im new to this it's an absolute mine field out there on things like Shpock or EBay..... Has anyone got any good ideas on where to look or tips on getting a decent one.

or if you have one you want to sell....


Thanks in advance all
Sharpy......

I`ve bought a few used mountain bikes off Ebay for my lad over the years mate and what I`d say is that in my experience it`s similar to buying a used car - people don`t tell the full truth in the ads and when you get there the bike is quite different to how they`ve described it !

Look at it logically. Any bike that`s been owned by a young lad will have been thrashed, especially a mountain bike, as that`s what they do with them.

If you`re going to buy off Ebay etc, just like a car, look for a bike that still has the bill of sale, receipts and service history, as that tells you that to some degree the owner has looked after the bike.

The last bike I bought for my lad of Ebay, was sold by a shop on behalf of a private owner and came with, a bill of sale etc and a 12mth guarantee as part of the sale - I`m assuming the shop took a cut.

I paid about £50 over the going price for it as a result, which I was happy to pay for peace of mind.

Also a lot of shops take bikes back as part X and they`re worth looking at too.

Some shops also sell end of line stuff off cheaply too and now is the time that they start doing it, with this years models coming in - they want to make room for the new stock.

Beware of bikes going too cheap as well, as they`re probably nicked !!!

 

[Black Belt Jones]

Facebook buy and sell is active for bikes and will show local sellers.
Most important thing is that it fits you, so good if you can throw a leg over it before buying.

 

[Disgruntledgoat]

So like everyone else in these crazy time, I'm going out of my mind stuck at home. Recently i bought my lad a bike (well Santa brought it for him) and he's started riding. I've been borrowing my mates bike to go riding with him and we both love it, been great being out the house for a few hrs at a time. So now i need my own bike.

I do want a decent one like a Carrera,or Scott or something like that. Not a top end bike but a decent one. Thing is i Don't want to buy a brand new one but I'm prepared to pay a few hundred to get the right 2nd hand one. As im new to this it's an absolute mine field out there on things like Shpock or EBay..... Has anyone got any good ideas on where to look or tips on getting a decent one.

or if you have one you want to sell....


Thanks in advance all
Sharpy......

AS @Black Belt Jones says, there are loads of Facebook groups out there as cyclists are an odd bunch who are always looking for the next bike. Likewise, there are a lot of shops deal in second hand bikes which will be maintained to a decent standard before they leave the shop.

Whereabouts are you based, I know people in a few places around Britain who may be able to help you out.

 

[evilwebby]

A lot, perhaps the majority of 2nd hand bikes are stolen.

Consider buying a new bike through cycle2work scheme. With the tax saving and monthly payments it may work out a better deal.

 

[Sharpys top lip]

AS @Black Belt Jones says, there are loads of Facebook groups out there as cyclists are an odd bunch who are always looking for the next bike. Likewise, there are a lot of shops deal in second hand bikes which will be maintained to a decent standard before they leave the shop.

Whereabouts are you based, I know people in a few places around Britain who may be able to help you out.

Liverpool mate, but willing to travel for the right bike. Thanks.

 

[blue61]

I used to know a man who peddled bikes.

 

[-Rob-]

Before working out where you're going to buy the bike from, you need to work out what kind of bike you want. Mountain bike, hybrid or road bike?
I'm guessing if you're just going out with your young lad you won't be going too far or too fast so probably don't need a road bike.
It's probably worth looking at Halfords at bikes that are roughly double your budget, find one you like then have a search for a 2nd hand one on ebay or Facebook that will be half the price if in decent condition. That's what I did when I bought mine and I got a £850 bike for £350.

 

[Shevin Keedy]

You mention that you like Carrera and Scott, and furthermore that you are willing to pay a few hundred quid, you do know those brands fall into that price bracket brand new do you not?

You had a little look at Halford and Evans?
Most bikes on gumtree are stolen, I am not sure about ebay.

 

[tommye]

That reminds me, how is your mother?
Not seen her in a while

 

[witchdoc187]

I always got my bikes off Gumtree. Pretty much £100 every time for £450 bike. Then when it got stolen it wasn't too painful. I was always weary of having a decent bike because people will just steal it if they want to.

 

[witchdoc187]

Especially if you leave it outside a pub in London on a busy street when you are getting wasted

 

[Philw]

That reminds me, how is your mother?
Not seen her in a while

Two and a half hours. GOT is slacking. Disappointing considering everyone's just sat at home doing diddly!!

 

[Kurt.]

Only advice I would offer is avoid Halfords

 

[-Rob-]

Most bikes on gumtree are stolen, I am not sure about ebay.

I'd say some bikes on gumtree and ebay are stolen, I wouldn't say most are.
Look for sellers that look genuine and have sold what looks like a reasonable assortment of things on the past rather than just stolen bikes.
Also with a bike you're going to be looking local for collection so you can assess how dodgy the address looks when you pick it up.