1.
~ Crash Damage ~
Rippled paint on the top & bottom tube where they meet the head
tube suggests crash damage.
Do not buy it
Top of page |
 |
2.
~ Frame Alignment ~
Try riding the bike hands off, if you are able to on the test
ride.
If the bike consistently veers to one side the frame could be
out of line.
(Cannondale Lefty's all veer to the eerrr ... left!)
Do not buy it
Top of page |
|
|
3.
~ Are The Wheels True? ~
Lift the front and back wheels off the ground and spin them.
Any side to side movement & the wheels may need truing.
Bulges or cracks in the rims will require a wheel re-build.
Top of page |
|
|
4.
~ Bent Forks ~
Check the forks are not bent
inwards towards the down tube.
Check the tops to see if they are
aligned.
Look at the forks head on to see
if the wheel sits equally between the legs.
Check to see if any oil, dents, or
broken seals are visible.
Check the value attachments are in
good order.
Top of page |
|
|
5.
~ Rear Wheel Alignment ~
Check the seat-stay are not bent
and the wheel sits equally between them.
Check the rear mech hangers not
bent too.
Top of page |
|
|
6.
~ Worn Gear Sets ~
Check for hooked teeth on the
chain-ring & sprockets, they are a sign of wear.
Generally to replace these items
could cost you anywhere from £40 - £100 depending on the
quality.
Top of page |
|
|
7.
~ Worn Head Sets ~
Check the bars, apply the front
brake and rock the bike.
If it feels loose, the headset is
either too loose or worn.
Lift the bars to get the wheel in
the air, and turn left and right. Any sticking?.
The headset is too tight, or worn.
Top of page |
|
|
8.
~ Bent Pedals Or Crank ~
Check the pedals for damage, spin
the pedals to see if they rotate freely and are not seized up.
Look at the crankarm, make sure
it's tight and feel the crank or free-play.
Top of page |
|
|
9.
~ General Wear ~
Check-out for frayed cables and
end caps, ripped saddle, worn out bar ends.
They are signs that a bicycle has
had some heavy use.
Look out for worn tyres & brake
blocks too, if the bike has disc brakes check the pads for wear.
Top of page |
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
4 new brake blocks or
discs from about £15 / £30 |
|
2 |
New cassette from about
£25 / £45 |
|
3 |
New chain from about £10
/ £25 |
|
4 |
New grips from about £10
/ £15 |
|
5 |
New crankset or crank
rings from about £45 / 165 |
|
6 |
New handle-bars from
about £15 / £130 |
|
7 |
New set of tyres from
about £20 / £70 a pair |
|
8 |
Strip the bicycle down,
de-grease and cleaning then re-build (No charge) |
|
9 |
A new set of brake and
gear cables from about £ 15 / £25 |
|
10 |
Lubricate the parts that
need it |
|
|
