How to test ride a used bike?

How to test ride a used bike? When it comes to getting a new bike secondhand can be a challenging process. You have to find the right deal, ensure it’s not too far away to collect, find a buyer who will send you the bike, and even make sure it’s all the right size for you. A question we often get asked is how to test ride a used bike.

The test ride is a valuable part of the process. You get to try the bike out and find out if it’s going to work for you size-wise and if it does everything it should be doing properly. In this article, we are going to tell you how to do the perfect test ride. 

1. When can you test ride a used bike?
2. What should I look for when I test ride a bike?
   1. Is it stolen?
   2. Checking for broken and worn-out parts
   3. Check for correct components and size
3. How should a used bike perform during a test ride? 
4. How to identify a genuine seller when buying a used bike?
5. What red flags to avoid when test riding a bike
   1. Creaks and bangs
   2. Strange meetings
   3. Custom builds
6. What to do if you can’t test ride a used bike
   1. Inspected bikes
   2. Standard buycycle returns
7. How to test ride a used bike: A final note

When can you test ride a used bike?

Test rides are not always possible, depending on how you are buying a bike. If you are buying from a local seller, then it is generally expected that you will test ride. If you are buying from a shop locally, they often have test bikes that you can use. 

If you are buying online, a test ride isn’t always possible. You have to have much more trust in a private seller or a company to ensure you are getting a bike that will work perfectly and fit you right. 

What should I look for when I test ride a bike?

When it comes to how to test ride a used bike, there’s a lot to look out for, and in this article, we will list everything you need to consider. We highly recommend making a list before you go to ensure you know what you are looking for. 

Is it stolen?

The first check you need to make is if the bike is stolen. Bikes being stolen is a common practice for many thieves, and they will try and sell them on with a private sale. It’s not rare to hear stories of people who have bought a stolen bike and never knew until they have come to sell it. 

If you look under the bottom bracket, you will find a code stamped into the frame. You can search the police database for this code online, and it will tell you if it has been reported stolen. It’s important to remember that most people don’t report bikes stolen, but it does show you have done your homework. 

Checking for broken and worn-out parts

Next, we need to check for broken or worn-out parts. Here’s what you should be checking when it comes to the bike. It helps if the bike is clean; hopefully, the seller has done this for you. 

• Check the frame for cracks, breaks, and parts where it might have impacted. 
• Look at the frame from front to back to ensure it is straight. 
• Check for the stretch on the chain with a chain checker or by pulling the chain on the chainring.
• Check cassette and chainrings for “Shark Tooth” teeth.
• Ensure wheels and tires are in good condition and straight and true.
• Look for rounded bolts on the handlebars stem and also the rear of the pedals.

If you find worn-out parts when going through the process of how to test ride a used bike, this is okay. It can help with negotiations later, and you can get the bike at a lower cost. 

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Check for correct components and size

Something we see quite often, especially with high-end bikes, is people swapping out high-end components for cheaper parts. It’s good to look at the original specification and ensure it matches up or is better than the original. 

If any parts have been replaced with lesser quality or lower-performance parts, then it’s another tool for helping you negotiate a better price and better understand what you will be buying.

It’s also very important to check that the frame is the correct size. If it isn’t stated on the frame, you will want to take a tape measure and measure the top tube on a road bike or the seat tube on a mountain bike.

How should a used bike perform during a test ride? 

Now that you have done all the checks, you must take the bike for a ride. Bikes should ride well and feel smooth. They should not feel lumpy or make lots of creaking or crunching noises in any situation. How to test a used bike comes down a lot to the way it rides and feels.

It’s good not just to lightly go around a carpark but also to give it some power and make sure that the suspension can travel properly and that it goes into all of the gears. You will quickly be able to tell the difference between a good, well-maintained bike and one that has been given a tough ride. 

If the bike rides well, then start negotiating. If it doesn’t, it’s important to find out why and start negotiating the cost of fixing it. It’s important not to be scared to walk away from a sale if necessary. 

How to identify a genuine seller when buying a used bike?

It is also a good idea to consider the seller. If you get someone who wants to meet at their house and seems honest and reliable, then that is a very good sign, and you can put good faith in the bike being well looked after.

If you are asked to meet at a carpark and a person with their hoody up just wants the money as soon as possible, then that is a red flag, and you should take into consideration where the bike might have come from.

What red flags to avoid when test riding a bike

When it comes to testing a bike, there are some red flags that you need to avoid. Here are some times when you might want to be worried about when it comes to how to test a used bike.

Creaks and bangs

If the bike you are test-riding is making strange noises, it’s important to have concerns. Before negotiating, it’s important to find out the problem and ensure the seller is not just looking for a quick sale.

Strange meetings

The next consideration in how to test ride a used bike is whether the seller wants to meet in a strange place, such as a car park, or out in the middle of nowhere. Also, if they turn up just on the bike without any identification, it’s all a bit strange.

Custom builds

Although custom-built bikes are fantastic, there are times when, instead of carefully picked components, it’s just a jumble sale of parts thrown together. Ensure it not only rides well but is compatible with the parts.

What to do if you can’t test ride a used bike

If you are looking to buy a secondhand bike but don’t get the opportunity to test ride, then you must be very cautious about where to buy it. In this next section, we will discuss using buycycle as the best option for buying pre owned without test riding. 

Using buycycle takes away the risk of buying a used bike without being able to test ride it. Not only do they come with a guarantee, and your money is safe with them in control, but they offer amazing options for you to choose from.

Inspected bikes

Inspected bikes come with some amazing benefits. Not only do you get the buycycle refund policy, but you also get a one-year warranty, and you know that an expert shop has looked over the bike and made sure that any parts that need replacing have been. 

Standard buycycle returns

If you choose not to go for an inspected bike from buycycle, then you also have the company's support if the bike turns up and it doesn’t quite ride as it should. If the bike has been described incorrectly or doesn’t fit the description you have been given, they will help you.

How to test ride a used bike: A final note

When it comes to testing a used bike, it is important to look at the details and ensure you know exactly what you are getting. You don’t always need to test ride a used bike. There is always buycycle as a safer option and the best of both worlds.