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Tips on buying a used bike

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Tips on buying a used bike

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flag Epicmastodon
Posted: Oct 30, 2021 at 12:35 Quote
Looking to buy a newer carbon full suspension bike. What should I look for to insure it’s in good shape? Thx
flag gabe999
Posted: Feb 12, 2022 at 15:43 Quote
Cracks and depths of chips. If someone who is selling has RideWrapped their frame that would be ideal too. Buying new gives you several years to lifetime warranties depending on the company.
flag Bikesbecauserunningsucks
Posted: Feb 27, 2022 at 4:58 Quote
gabe999 wrote:
Cracks and depths of chips. If someone who is selling has RideWrapped their frame that would be ideal too. Buying new gives you several years to lifetime warranties depending on the company.

For sure this. Hopefully a new ish bike wouldn't have these issues, but I'd also check for play in the pivots. If there is any it could be a sign that bearings needs replacement, which is like a $500+ dollar job at an LBS. It's also worth checking if the suspension has seen regular service, and factor it into purchase price if not. I think FOX says to replace seals every 50 hours and do a full damper tear down every 125, although that is a bit excessive.
flag gabe999
Posted: Feb 27, 2022 at 10:15 Quote
I was only thinking of the frame but yeah, fork, shock, bearings ( also check for creaking on your ride but that can be from many things that just needs cleaning/regressing) and of course pay special attention to the rear hub which gets a lot of abuse. Only takes a moment to remove the wheel and give it a spin in your hand. Same with front hub. Bottom bracket, take off chain and spin slowly and then faster free style but you may not get much from that to see how the bearings are. You don’t want to say remove the cranks. Haha That will be a bit much. If LBS is charging 500+ for bearings time for a new LBS. I always try to see what I can do on my own..
flag svhamel
Posted: Mar 11, 2022 at 14:09 Quote
I would have to say Used Carbon bike risky due to the fact that you don’t know how much abuse it has taken. That being said, a New carbon bike has issues regarding durability and cost. Carbon will definitely hold us better in cross country vs enduro or downhill. Also weight vs cost savings? The difference in weight between carbon and aluminum is minimal 1-3 pounds. Here is a link to a Gearlab article that might be helpful.

https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/expert-advice/carbon-vs-aluminum-mountain-bike-frames-the-showdown
flag gabe999
Posted: Mar 11, 2022 at 16:06 Quote
svhamel wrote:
I would have to say Used Carbon bike risky due to the fact that you don’t know how much abuse it has taken. That being said, a New carbon bike has issues regarding durability and cost. Carbon will definitely hold us better in cross country vs enduro or downhill. Also weight vs cost savings? The difference in weight between carbon and aluminum is minimal 1-3 pounds. Here is a link to a Gearlab article that might be helpful.

https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/expert-advice/carbon-vs-aluminum-mountain-bike-frames-the-showdown

Well, I bought a used 2014 carbon Norco Sight about 3 years ago and my son absolutely abuses that thing downhilling, taking seriously high and far jumps and anything else you can throw at it. Carbon is solid. Who says a new carbon bike has issues? Which ones? Who says you can't take downhilling? Those are old wive's tale.
flag svhamel
Posted: Mar 11, 2022 at 20:17 Quote
Your right. After some more extensive reading on the technology I was wrong about carbon. It’s actually much stronger and durable than I thought. I was just buying into old school myths. Attached is link to an article. Thanks again for the re-education . Who says you can teach an old dog new tricks .

https://enduro-mtb.com/en/carbon-myths/
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