How to test ride a used bike?

Sep 10, 2024 9 min

How to test ride a used bike? Getting a new bike secondhand can be challenging. 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 the right size. We often get asked 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 will work for you size-wise and if it does everything it should be doing correctly. This article will tell you how to do the perfect test ride.

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Do you know buycycle? We are the leading marketplace for buying and selling used bikes. Not just any bikes - only beautiful performance bikes. Come and take a ride!

When can you test ride a used bike?

Test rides are not always possible, depending on how you buy a bike. You are expected to test ride if you buy from a local seller. If you buy from a shop locally, they often have test bikes you can use.

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

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Top tip: buycycle offers a guarantee so that you can return a bike if it’s not in good working order after you buy it. This is one of the only sites offering this, ensuring customers always leave happy.

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

When it comes to testing riding 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 came to sell it.

Looking 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 stolen bikes, but it shows 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 the 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 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 cheaper.

Check for correct components and size

People often swap out high-end components for cheaper parts, especially on high-end bikes. It’s good to look at the original specification and ensure the replacement matches or is better than the original.

Suppose any parts have been replaced with lesser-quality or lower-performance parts. In that case, this is another tool for helping you negotiate a better price and understand what you will buy.

It’s also 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.

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Want to find out more about good options to sell/buy a bike? Check out our article about Craigslist bikes or Pinkbike.

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 many creaking or crunching noises. How you test a used bike depends significantly on how it rides and feels.

It’s good not just to go around a carpark lightly but also to give it some power and ensure that the suspension can travel properly and that it goes into all the gears. You can quickly tell the difference between a good, well-maintained bike and one given a challenging ride.

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

how to test a used bike — Taking a test drive can help ease your final decision.

How do you 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, that is a perfect 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 wants the money as soon as possible, then that is a red flag, and you should consider where the bike might have come from.

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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 how to test a used bike.

Creaks and bangs

If the bike you're test-riding is making strange noises, you should be concerned. Before negotiating, it’s crucial to discover the problem and ensure the seller is not just looking for a quick sale.

Strange meetings

The next consideration in testing 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, it's all strange if they turn up on the bike without identification.

Custom builds

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

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You might also wanna check our guides on where to buy a bike and where to sell a bike.

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 it, 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 cars 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 excellent options for you to choose from. - Alice Huot @ buycycle.

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, you also have the company's support if the bike turns up and doesn’t quite ride as it should. If the bike has been misdescribed or doesn’t fit your description, they will help you.