Buying Used Question

[Nyimbo]

Background: I took my trek fx 7.5 in to get a gearing upgrade the suggestion from a local expert re taking it cross country is in addition to new gearing is to replace wheels, (24) spokes, replace fork with a steel fork from trek 7.3, add bar ends. He said by the time you have done the up grads you have payed 1/3 the cost of a new touring bike - or 1/2 to full price of buying a used bike.

I started reading Craig's List last night and see two bikes in my size. A Fuji touring for 400. And a Cannondale T800 for 300.  I'm not going to offer to buy either because I need to learn some things first and I'm not in a rush.
So my buying used question: 1 how do I determine they are not a stollen bikes and 2. How do you determine the condition since I'm not mechanically inclined?

Any suggestions for thinking through this?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Pat Lamb]

Bad news: other than checking with your local police and giving them the serial number (typically located on the bottom of the bottom bracket/crank), there's no systematic check for stolen bikes.  Thieves in my town typically fence them 60 miles away, and vice versa.

Used bikes are like used cars, in that if you can't assess them yourself, the best bet is to take them to a qualified mechanic.  In the case of a bike, a bike shop mechanic should be able to give it a quick check without hitting your pocketbook too hard (I'd guess $25 or a dozen doughnuts).  In the middle of the summer, Tuesday and Wednesday are the best time, since it's peak season and they get a lot of business getting ready or getting over the weekend.

I've got a Fuji Touring, and it's a good bike, but they're offering it for only 30-50% off list (depending on age). That T800 sounds sweet.

[BrianW]

A T800 for $300 is a pretty good deal. I had one for a while and liked it. Does it have a threaded (quill) stem or threadless? The nice thing with C'dale frames is that they are the same across all models of that year, so upgrades make sense if/when you want to make them.

[paddleboy17]

Background: I took my trek fx 7.5 in to get a gearing upgrade the suggestion from a local expert re taking it cross country is in addition to new gearing is to replace wheels, (24) spokes, replace fork with a steel fork from trek 7.3, add bar ends. He said by the time you have done the up grads you have payed 1/3 the cost of a new touring bike - or 1/2 to full price of buying a used bike.

I started reading Craig's List last night and see two bikes in my size. A Fuji touring for 400. And a Cannondale T800 for 300.  I'm not going to offer to buy either because I need to learn some things first and I'm not in a rush.
So my buying used question: 1 how do I determine they are not a stollen bikes and 2. How do you determine the condition since I'm not mechanically inclined?

Any suggestions for thinking through this?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

The conversion does not sound that bad.   A new wheel set is easy enough to get, and just have a new cassette put on it.  The current FX 7.5 picture shows a tapped fork that should work.  I don't know that you need bar ends.  I would try to make do with the bike that you have. 

Are their other things about the upgrade?

[greenbubba]

Ditto on taking it to your favorite shop.   Bought my road bike used and after a year am putting on new sprocket and chain, plus put a wheel on first thing. Not saying I was ripped off, in fact considering my income I'd do the same thing. I got a great trek bike for $350, and will soon have $575 in it. Nothing that may not have worn out in a year anyway with regular riding, but my guess is a new bike would have only needed tires and brakes by now.

Not being in a rush is good. I watched craigslist for 3 months or more before I found what I wanted at what I could pay. Just looking everyday I learned a lot.

My 2 cents