Owning a bike, whether new or used, gives you a unique sense of accomplishment. A biker’s love for a bike is unfathomable, which is why, even if you’re on a budget, you shouldn’t give up on your ambition of owning one. A biker who can’t afford a brand-new bike or want to save a few bucks might consider a used bike.
Purchasing a used bike is simple if you know what you want and where to look for it. Naturally, there are various locations where you can find great deals on second-hand bikes. However, among them are a few trying to rip you off. This is why you must have your wits about you while buying a new bike.
Not to worry, below is a guide on what you need to know to get a second-hand bike that would be good for your wallet and the road. So, what do you need to know before you go out and buy that bike?
- Know What You What
The first step in purchasing a second-hand bike is knowing what you want. There are a wide variety of bikes out there, so you have to set your criteria. Consider a specific bike before starting your search, and be open to other possibilities.
- Know The Price Of The Bike
Do not go in blind. Be knowledgeable about the cost of the bike when it is brand new. This way, you can be sure you are getting a better deal on it because it has already been used. Doing your research helps you negotiate a better price when what is offered isn’t fair enough. This also shows the buyer that you know your bikes and mean business.
- Meet With The Seller Face To Face
Although the world has gone digital, it is advisable to meet with the seller face-to-face if possible. Inspecting a second-hand bike in person is quite different from inspecting through pictures because, with these inspections, you get to check out for dents and scratches that might not be visible from the pictures.
- Know A Reputable Insurance Agency
In the same way, you have your car, health, and other essential aspects of your life insured; it is important you also have your bike insured after purchase. It isn’t a legal requirement; however, it is a great idea. Choosing a bike insurance agency can be challenging due to the number of options. As such, you should settle for only the best, like Velosurance, which caters to the needs of bicycle riders nationwide. Velosurance provides a multi-risk policy that protects cyclists from crash damage, theft coverage, loss in transit, medical coverage, and more.
- Test-Ride The Bike
Buying a bike is similar to buying a car because you should have it tested before finalizing the transaction. Buying the bike online and having it delivered might be less hassle for you. However, you have no way of knowing that you are getting a fair deal, nor would you be able to tell the bike’s condition just by looking at it.
After inspecting the bike for damage, cracks, brakes, and bearings, the next step is to test-ride it. This lets you know the bike’s performance as well as its heath. If you are familiar with bikes, a five-minute ride can tell you whether the bike is worth purchasing.
- Know The Servicing Record
With a service record, you get to know how much maintenance has gone into the bike and how much more needs to be done. Many e-bikes have a log of their service history. You can tell from the service record if a bike has been properly looked after.
If there is no physical record, you can simply ask the seller for an estimate on maintenance and how often this is done.
- Consider The Availability Of Parts
Bikes are continually evolving. This means that older bikes can quickly become outdated, so you should consider how easy or difficult it is to track down replacement parts when needed. Before purchasing a second-hand bike, check to see if the bike is still in production or has been discontinued. This way, you will know if parts are hard to source.
- Ensure Proper Documentation
Proper documentation is essential when it comes to purchasing a second-hand bike. You don’t want to end up with a bike that has been stolen. Sometimes, if the deal is too good to be true, that might just be it. Be sure that the bike is security marked and not stolen. Alternatively, you can ask for proof of purchase to close the deal.
Conclusion
Finally, when purchasing a used bike, you should make your purchase through a trusted source. Using a reputable service can help you avoid being scammed, and some online services even allow purchasers to meet with the vendor and view the bike before handing over their cash. Now, you are ready to purchase a second-hand bike without going through too much hassle with the above guideline.