5 Ways to Find a Good Used Bicycle
So you’ve been thinking about buying a used bicycle? Good for you. A used bike will save you money, keep the environment cleaner, as well as encourage the recycling process in general. This leads to more people being able to help themselves and their environment. If you’ve been reading this blog, you know I’m a big fan of helping the environment.
Used bicycles are a win / win proposition. Some people have said that buying a used bike may be good for the earth, but bad for them. They think that a used bike will break down more often than a new one.
Well, I ride regularly and I can tell you that anything mechanical will break down. I’ve found that used bikes don’t break down any more often than new bikes. Repairs have to be done from time to time. Tires will go flat and have to be fixed. I have not been paying attention and hit objects in the road and damaged my bike. All of this happens with a used bike just as easily as with a new bike.
If you decide you are going to buy a used bike, the next step is to locate one. This can be done in a number of ways.
1) If you live in a larger city (as I do) there are whole sub-cultures of bike riding enthusiasts and these people can be some of your best allies in finding out where the best bike shops are, which bike shops deal in used bikes and / or offer reasonably priced and quality bicycle repair services. So just ask your friends.
2) If you live where they print independent publications next to the major newspapers, pick up a few. In my town, they call it the Weekend Shopper. You’ve seen them, I know. You can find them in gas stations and outside of some stores and restaurants. In my neighborhood, they appear in my driveway on Friday morning, almost like magic. Chances are you’ll find some ads for some of the cooler bike shops or individuals selling their bikes.
3) And nearly every town or city has Salvation Army centers and other thrift shops like that. These are wonderful places to find used bicycles. Just be sure to call ahead and find out if they have any bikes. Sometimes, especially in larger cities, certain types of items will all be at one particular location. It’s better to know ahead of time if you’re going to the right location for the best chances of finding a bicycle.
4) You can also go online where there are numerous auction websites where you can search auctions by location. This way you can search all the new and used bikes for sale from auction sellers that live close to you. If you stick to sellers that are close to you, then you don’t have to worry about shipping costs. You can go check it out yourself to verify that it’s a bike you’d like to have and then, if it is, you can take it home yourself.
5) Last, but not least, there’s also the good old classified ads in the local newspaper. If you don’t see something right away, keep checking back every week and you’re sure to come across some used bicycle ads eventually.
Buying a used bicycle is like buying anything else. You do your research and check the prices and try to get the best value for your money. If you do your homework, you’ll quite often find a bargain and enjoy many years of cycling pleasure for very little money. Good luck in your search.