Buy it or leave It? What to look for when buying a used road bike

by Chad Grochowina

When you are shopping for a used road bike, a quick, 10-minute inspection can tell you if a bike is great deal or a not-so-great deal. A test ride is also a must as it will give you a feel for the overall condition. If it rides well, make sure to also look at the following.

Drivetrain

Take along a chain-measuring tool as it’ll help determine the condition of the drivetrain. Minimal chain wear is a good sign provided none of the gears are skipping during that test ride. If the chain is overly worn, assume that the cassette needs to be replaced as well. Take a close look at the chainrings; they may also need to be changed. Derailleur pulley wheels are a good indicator of overall drivetrain condition. If they are pointy or close to pointy, the bike has probably enjoyed many miles and you’ll need to replace the entire drivetrain. The new gruppo can be a big, upfront cost, especially if you’re replacing Shimano Dura-Ace or Campagnolo Record parts.

Frame and fork

If the bike you’re considering has a carbon-fibre fork with a carbon steering tube, you should remove the fork and inspect it for cracks. Cracks on the steering tube are more common than you think; they could end catastrophically. The same is true for carbon-fibre frames. Pay close attention to any scratches or chips. With aluminum frames, big dents and deep scratches can lead to cracks over time. Take along a set of Allen keys and make sure the seatpost can move freely in the frame. Over time, seatposts and carbon/steel/aluminum/titanium frames can become one if left unattended. Also, if the post is carbon, pull it out of the frame and look for cracks around the clamping area.

Wheels and tires

With the wheels still on the frame, wiggle each one laterally checking for play in the hub. Give each wheel a spin and listen for rumbles or grinding. By using the brake calipers as a guide, spin the wheels checking for trueness and how round they are. Next, with the wheels out of the frame, spin the axle with your fingers checking the bearing

Headset and bottom bracket

Squeeze the front brake and rock the bike back and forth feeling for knocking in the headset. Turn the handlebars from left to right to see how smooth in the headset bearings feel. Inspect the bottom bracket by checking for side-to-side play and how freely it spins when the chain is off.

Cables, housing and bar tape

How smooth are the shift and brake cables? Stiff cable movement – which can be caused by neglected and worn cables and housing – can cause excessive wear on the shifter internals. The result could be costly repair. In my experience, if the bar tape is in shabby condition, there is a strong chance the cables and housing beneath the tape are also in poor condition.