Buying a brand-new bicycle in stores can be an expensive endeavour and they are currently like gold dust. With cycling being perfect for exercising whilst socially distancing, finding a bike in stock has become more difficult. So, whether you’re struggling to find the perfect bike in stock, keen to avoid long collection times or just want to save some extra cash, we’ve put together some tips to help you buy second-hand.
Where to look
As with buying anything preowned, eBay, Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace are your go-to sites.
When buying on eBay make sure the pictures are detailed and in line with how the seller has described the condition. Right now customers can earn cashback on eBay purchases when shopping through us.
Gumtree and Facebook marketplace are great as most sellers will be open to negotiation. This means that if you’re a keen haggler you can bag some amazing deals.
When using Gumtree and Facebook marketplace remember to never send any money before receiving the item in person. Also, when collecting, try to bring along a friend or family member and make sure to meet in a public place – whilst remaining socially distant.
What to look for
Firstly, check the frame for cracks and dents. These could both significantly reduce the lifespan of the bike and pose safety risks down the line. Plus, with so much choice on the second-hand market you don’t have to settle for a bike with significant issues.
Make sure to take the bike for a quick test run. In just a few moments you can check whether the tires have any punctures and if the gears are functional. Again, whilst these are minor issues that could be fixed, as there’s so much choice on the second-hand market, a little extra patience and diligence could save you a lot of time and effort down the line.
If you do find yourself with a second-hand bike in need of a little extra love, be sure to keep an eye out for the next round of free government repair vouchers. The Fix your Bike Voucher Scheme allows members of the public to receive a voucher worth up to £50 towards the cost of repairing a bicycle.
Most bikes will have a serial number located somewhere on the frame either as a sticker or stamped directly into the metal. You can check to see if the bike is registered stolen by typing this number into sites such as https://www.bikeregister.com. Whilst this will only work if the original user registered their bike, it is worth the minimal time investment to make sure you’re not buying stolen goods.
Once you’ve bought your bike
Before riding off into the sunset you must make sure that both you and your bike are protected.
Investing in a good lock as well as a helmet and cycling light are essential. Customers can protect themselves and their bike whilst earning up to 4.95% cashback at Halfords when shopping through us.
You can take your bike’s protection a step further by insuring it. In fact customers can currently earn up to £33 cashback with CycleGuard when shopping through us.
Finally, make sure to register your bike for free online with www.bikeregister.com. In the unfortunate event that your bike is ever stolen, being registered increases the chances of you getting it back.
