How To Buy A Used Bike – What To Look For When Buying A Second Hand Road Bike

Buying a second hand, pre-owned or used bike is a great way of getting a super bike for a lower budget!

Ex-Professional cyclist Simon Richardson explains what to look out for when buying a second hand bike. We go through a pre-owned bike that we bought online.

Simon explains what to look out for as well as how to check the for the following list of components.
We've also given some basic indications of prices for replacing any parts if needed.

Frame & Forks
Wheels, hubs, rims
Bottom Bracket
Brakes
Tyres
Headset
Drivetrain (chain, cassette, derailleurs, chainrings)
Cables (gears and brakes)

Watch more on GCN...

Let us know if you've bought a used bike and any tips 👇

Music
Sky Lounge, Israel Medina - John Kunkel

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Leave us a comment below!

[gcn]

Let us know if you've bought a second-hand bike and any tips you've got for others! 👇

[Josefms]

Being a newbie in the sport I used this video as a benchmark on what to look for. I went in fully prepared on what to look for so when I started to ask questions the seller had no idea what I was talking about. End result: Seller reduced $200 from the price tag just because they didn’t even understand what I was talking about.

[colnagocHP]

Time for a GCN showdown. Each GCN presenter is given a 150 pound budget to buy a second hand bike, fix it up and then race head to head.

[JanMichalDzban]

This guide you can surely use for checking the condition of your own bike ha ha :-) very usefull!

[teatrobellini]

Is it just me or buying that bike for 90 quid is extremely lucky? I'm looking for a decent second hand bike rn and can't find anything below 400.

[roof]

Very useful video, many thanks guys. On a side note, I was lucky enough to win a bike today; donating it to my car mechanic (a fellow cyclist) who has worked on my car at a moment's notice on more than one occasion - and did so today. Always worth giving something back.

[petetube]

Finally some real world bike advice from GCN. The consumer treadmill of constant 'innovation, with new models and graphics every 6-12 months bores me to tears. cycling is in danger of becoming more about buying than riding.

[paulmcgarry]

Always, always, always check that the seat post has not fused or rusted inside the seat tube on a second hand frame but excellent guide and good to see budget buying getting some air time too.

[ucnguyenminh]

I'd like a part 2 of this after you has fixed it all up :D

[cameron]

This was exactly the kind of video i was hoping to find, great vid dude!

[TheLionEric]

Checking serial numbers etc to see if the bike is stolen/Checking for documentation.

No one wants to see their bike stolen and no one wants to buy a stolen ride!

[lianneadams]

This was incredible knowledge and easy to understand. I was nervous to look at my first used road bike tonight and can now go with confidence.

[jseski]

Excellent job, Si (& GCN)! Another great vid; perfect for it's intended market.

[isaachudson]

Do a bike build, one episode a week and do detailed videos of what you are doing and why you bought each product. Do it like a vlog

[jpb]

when is was younger i always bought second hand bikes they served me well when i stopped growing i saved up to a brand new full carbon bike and some new carbon wheels.

[piotrkol]

My first road bike was indeed a second hand bike :) Got a Giant Cadex CFR2 for about $250 in 2012. Pretty old - 1994 frameset, but oddly enough - the top, down and seat tube are carbon. The bike came with a complete old (late 90's) Shimano 105 - old but very durable! Also had sturdy, unbreakable mavic wheels. Rode it for 4 years before switching to a brand new Canyon. I still have that Giant though - still working nicely. I use it as my "winter" or "bad weather" bike :)
So much memories, so much great rides...

[abyshepherd]

I bought a second hand bike for £40 and rebuilt it using Maintenance Monday videos. At some point I'll do a video of my journey. I painted it matt black with red cable housing. It looks great. First time I've done anything like this. Thanks GCN.

[hybridstrength]

Amazingly informative video man. Good work!

[elizabethbennet]

wow thanks so much, this is super helpful! Subscribed today!

[billreddy]

Excellent information (as usual)...I would have missed checking several things you mentioned.