I’m considering buying a bike in the 700-1500 range and want to save money by buying a used bike. I’m in the Silicon Valley area.
What’s some advice for buying a used road bike on craigslist?
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6 Responses to What’s some advice for buying a used road bike on craigslist?
Given the price range, you can get something pretty nice brand new. An example would be the Giant TCR2 (105 10spd, aluminum frame, carbon fork & seatpost) new is $1250. You also may be able to pick up a 2006 model on a close out as the ’07s are on the way. But if you want something used off craigslist or ebay do your homework first. Find out what the bike retails for brand new (I’ve heard somebody spending $1000 on a bike that retailed for half that. Find out what the component level is, an approximation on the total mileage on the bike, & overall shape it is in. Ask for lots of pictures and get close ups of the frame, fork & wheels to try & check for potential problems. Find out how well the bike was taken care of & ask about any repair work that may have been done (like if the wheels have ever had broken spokes). This will give a rough idea as to what the bike has been through and any potential problems you may run into later. Ideally, you should look at the bike in person to really be able to examine it or better, take it to a shop & have them go through it. Another thing is to make sure that you know what frame size you actually need before buying the bike. Also take into consideration that some bikes may run big depending on the maker. Cervelo & Cannondale tend to run big (a 56cm Cannondale fits closer to a 57 or 58). Most makers put the sizing on their website, check the sizing charts and try to hit the local bike shops to actually see the bikes in person to get an idea on sizing.
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Do not ever buy a bike without seeing it before hand.Try to find something that is not too far away from you. Go see it before hand. Inspect it carefully to make sure that it meets your expectations. Example: I saw a used Bianchi road frame for very cheap money via Craigslist. I emailed Craigslist that I might be interested, BUT wanted to see it before making a final decision. The seller had no problem with that. I saw it in person, liked what I saw,bought it. A word of warning: Don’t try to price down the seller, because many prices tend to be firm and for the most part are pretty fair to begin with. Good luck.
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#1 – Never pay asking price on Craigslist. Most people post what they ‘expect’ to get out of the item, but are almost always willing to drop it down a few bucks.
#2 – Just as you’d take an auto mechanic to check out a used vehicle you’d consider purchasing, take someone (unless it’s yourself) who knows a bit about bike parts and repair and can spot trouble.
#3 – Know what you want in terms of components and keep an eye out for something that is EXACTLY what you want. Trust me, it’s worth waiting for the ‘right’ bike.
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In that price range, you can find something new that’s decent. And now is the time of the year when bike shops are trying to get rid of the 06′s. Everything I’ve seen on craigslist is over-priced. Even **** like Magna. Some of the bikes on that site are stolen. Never buy a bike without test riding it first. There’s a reason for that person selling the bike.
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I’ve bought two bikes off of craigslist – both worthwhile, I still ride them.
1. don’t buy anything that you can’t see in person. and test ride.
2. you may be able to haggle for a lower price, but that comes after you have weighed the options. talking about a lower price before visiting and getting your full view on it can hurt your opportunity.
3. be prepared to buy something that usually isn’t new. yes, most CL postings are for used merchandise, so be prepared for scratches, nicks. then again, it shouldn’t be falling apart either.
have fun!
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Don’t buy used.
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