eccc whippet Posted December 17, 2015 Posted December 17, 2015 Firstly this thread is not about trashing sellers or locol bike shops...I would just like to share my recent experiences which might assist others in the future. (hybrid and road bikes...there is a lot more to a mtb) So you want to buy a new bike...you start by looking for the make and type of bike...if you like me you have a piggy bank which has money saved up in it...others will have a credit card..and some will have to buy on tick if they buy from a shop. Unfortunately for me on both occasions i was not fortunate enough to find what i was looking for so i had to buy new or just take what i could find at a "reasonable" price. my first bike (hybrid) absolutely free (I still use this bike to this day) only issues i encountered with this bike...because the bike had been left in a garage for many years i had to strip the bike regrease and re assemble...and replaced the tyres because they were really old...i then upgraded the seat etc...which is normal as you find your way into cycling. So you find a a bike and not sure what to expect a s it is second hand and the seller will "generally" tell you it is in perfect condition...and as in my case recently...if looks were anything to go by...the bike was perfect. Some tips on what to look out for: - Flat spots on the tyres...would mean replacing tyres. - wheels...dents or scratches on the rims...which could have been caused due to potholes etc..very difficult to find someone to fix a damaged rim...if they cheapies no problem just replace...but if not you in for a few bob to replace the rim and maybe a few spokes as they could break when trying to loosen...also check for shudder when applying the brake...this could involve replacing the pads or cleaning the rim. - brake pads...just check...you will have to replace at some stage anyway...so no big deal. - bearings...now this seems to be a bigger challenge than i expected...you spin the wheel it spins no problem...cool all good...if you smart you take the bike for a check at the local bike shop and let them check...2 bike shop later nobody picked up that the bearings were not good...the front wheel siezed a week after the "bike" was checked...and the bearings had to be replaced...i then took the bike out for another ride and noticed a slight hum from the back wheel...one of the back wheel bearing was running rough and the other ok...i had them both replaced. seat...this is something most people move to their new bike...so chances are that you will end up with the original seat still in good condition...or a seat moulded to that persons butt...or the seat will be collapsed...so you need to replace. frame...this is another important check...if the bike has been in an accident and repaired...there could be all sorts of issues...like a bent frame...repaired carbon frame...etc etc. gearing...make sure the gears select easy...and run from top to bottom and visa versa...listen for chain noise...if the gears are not selecting correctly there could be a few thing wrong...cable sticking...bent derailer hanger etc...check that the teeth on the gears are not worn excessively. chain...there is a tool you can get to measure the chain wear. Di2...one of the checks you could do if you have all the cables and experience to do it...or it might pay you to have the firmware checked and upgraded if required...i dont have enough experience to comment on this topic...yet....so i couldnt tell you if there is a way of "checking" the system. I am sure there are other things I havent mentioned...so feel free to add. as i mentioned this is not a name and shame...it is merely a tips guide to buying a second hand bike...if you purchase new...you wouldnt experience any of these issues and if you did...it would involve a return trip to the bike shop for them to repair under warranty. My advice to anyone buying a second hand bike...take the bike to your lbs shop with a list of your requirements itemised...dont just drop it off and ask them to "check it"...if you are not sure...rather have a major service done...which should include stripping and cleaning "all" the bearings. For some people...blowing R50k on a second hand bike is no big deal and fixing anything that goes wrong is just a swipe of the credit card away...for others it could mean the bike is going to stand for a couple weeks or months while you try save up the money. what i have come to realize on this forum like most social media platforms...there is a huge difference in salary brackets...and in some cases trust funds...rich parents etc...dont feel bad if you are like me and have to work for everything i have...sometime I have to penny pinch to get what i want...which could take months...looking for the best deal could be the difference between me getting the a pair of shoes and pedals this month or having to wait 2 or 3 months to get the pedals. By the way i am still like a kid in a caddy store at the moment...I will ease off my posts as i loose interest in cycling...but for now i might repeat on more than 1 or 2 or 3 occasions...it would be best for the fellas who have been there and done it and have the Tshirts to rather..."ignore" my posts.
Rocket-Boy Posted December 17, 2015 Posted December 17, 2015 So what hassles did you have with your new roadie other than the bearings? Buying 2nd hand could well mean you need to replace cassette/chain/rings and brake pads. If you know what to look for those can come in handy in terms of price bargaining.
eccc whippet Posted December 17, 2015 Author Posted December 17, 2015 So what hassles did you have with your new roadie other than the bearings? Buying 2nd hand could well mean you need to replace cassette/chain/rings and brake pads. If you know what to look for those can come in handy in terms of price bargaining. a few minor things which were listed above...they have been sorted out...just the back tyre needs to be replaced due to a flat spot...otherwise the bike is running well...the different between spending R2k on a bike and R20k you kind of expect more from the R20k bike...much lighter...smoother ride...which is what i am getting...once the tyre is replaced i hope to achieve a very smooth quiet ride...the joys of Di2 lining up the front derailer as the back changes up or down...no more chain rub.
Veebee Posted December 17, 2015 Posted December 17, 2015 By the way i am still like a kid in a caddy store at the moment...I will ease off my posts as i loose interest in cycling...but for now i might repeat on more than 1 or 2 or 3 occasions...it would be best for the fellas who have been there and done it and have the Tshirts to rather..."ignore" my posts. Don't take things too seriously... it might impact your riding.
eccc whippet Posted December 17, 2015 Author Posted December 17, 2015 Don't take things too seriously... it might impact your riding. f^&* that...i believe if you gona do something do it with all your heart otherwise dont waste the energy...we will ride together soon and you we can get to know each other better
Rocket-Boy Posted December 17, 2015 Posted December 17, 2015 a few minor things which were listed above...they have been sorted out...just the back tyre needs to be replaced due to a flat spot...otherwise the bike is running well...the different between spending R2k on a bike and R20k you kind of expect more from the R20k bike...much lighter...smoother ride...which is what i am getting...once the tyre is replaced i hope to achieve a very smooth quiet ride...the joys of Di2 lining up the front derailer as the back changes up or down...no more chain rub.Maybe I see it differently, but if you are going to be saving R10-R15k off the new price then the R2k-R3k it takes to get the bits sorted out are much easier to swallow. Personally I always buy 2nd hand in good nick(not worried about cassette/chain/chainrings)
IceCreamMan Posted December 17, 2015 Posted December 17, 2015 one thing to remember is that some manufacturers have a lifetime warranty on the frame but this is only applicable to the first buyer...the second/third/fouth buyer does not enjoy this guarantee... check the manufacturer
Veebee Posted December 17, 2015 Posted December 17, 2015 f^&* that...i believe if you gona do something do it with all your heart otherwise dont waste the energy...we will ride together soon and you we can get to know each other better I am going to try to ride outdoors next week, then a few weeks to get back my fitness, so a few laps around the circuit in early Jan maybe
eccc whippet Posted December 17, 2015 Author Posted December 17, 2015 Anyway i look at it ...my last purchase was a good deal...i have spent just over R2k getting everything up to scratch...New gatoskin tyres...Both... Back wheel... strip and rebuild...replace bearings...clean and service working parts... Firmware upgrade... Brake swop...so that my back brake is on the left... Brand new double taped handlebar... Check torque settings on all nuts and bolts... bb ...strip... check and service.Brakes aligned and set so they open evenly... Check the front wheel...replaced bearings and check true and spokes are right. Everything is running super smooth... Including my trip to jhb to collect the bike...still works out cheaper than what the bike was advertised [emoji3] However as i mentioned this thread is not about my purchase...it is a general over view of things to consider when purchasing a second hand bike.
eccc whippet Posted December 17, 2015 Author Posted December 17, 2015 one thing to remember is that some manufacturers have a lifetime warranty on the frame but this is only applicable to the first buyer...the second/third/fouth buyer does not enjoy this guarantee... check the manufacturerI did take that into consideration...and my plan was to dump the merida frame and source a TCR 2015 frame...because the components...like the 2x11 di2 ultegra ... fulrum racing pro wheels and sram red crank is worth more than what i paid for the bike...or i was gona swop the whole bike for a tcr...however after riding this bike a few times...i am glad i didnt...even the red is starting to grow on me [emoji3] i have replaced the red tyres and red handlebar tape...which make it look a lot better.
eccc whippet Posted December 17, 2015 Author Posted December 17, 2015 Before ...will post the after pic in the next day or 2
eccc whippet Posted December 18, 2015 Author Posted December 18, 2015 Pity i have to go to work today...cant wait to ride with the new tyres upgraded to conti 23 - 25...new wheel bearings and no brake shudder.
eccc whippet Posted December 18, 2015 Author Posted December 18, 2015 Did leave a little red in the tape [emoji6] The white cable tie will go when i decide which gps to get fenix 3 or edge 520
Veebee Posted December 18, 2015 Posted December 18, 2015 looks much better with the black bar tape and "black" tyres.I think black bottle cages will also enhance the appearance a bit.
eccc whippet Posted December 18, 2015 Author Posted December 18, 2015 Agreed...pity the contis dont have red writing......need to heat shrink the bombs...dual purpose colour and prevent finger freeze
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