How do I know if my bike is in good condition?

Give the cranks a spin in the backward direction, so you don't spin up the rear wheel. As long as the drivetrain is running smoothly, the bottom bracket should also be running smoothly. Inspect the chainrings for damaged, missing or excessively worn teeth. Worn chainrings will wear to a shark-fin like profile.

How do you tell if a motorcycle is well maintained?

Sit on the seat and bounce the rear shock with your body weight. It should go down, come back up and stop. If it goes down again and acts springy then chances are good the rear shock needs replacing or rebuilding.

What to look for when checking out a used bike?

Inspect the Parts

Tires themselves are easy (and affordable) enough to replace, and a wobbly wheel can usually be fixed with a little truing from an experienced mechanic—it's really the wheel rims you'll want to look over closely for damage or extreme wear from bikes that use rim brakes.

How much should I pay for a used bike?

Buying a used bike is one of the cheapest ways in the world to save money and have fun. For between $100 and $250 you can find a decent used bike that should not require much fixing; and for $250 to $500 you could find a really great used bike that would cost you well upwards of $1,000 new.

Which second hand bike should I buy?

How To Buy A Used Bike – What To Look For When Buying A Second Hand Road Bike

Where do bike frames crack?

A common, and scary, place that frames crack is the underside of the down tube, just behind the headtube. If this one isn't found in time, the result is usually catastrophic failure and a trip to the dentist (at best). Some cracks are merely cracks in the paint.

How many years does a bike last?

A bicycle can last for 30+ years, or even a lifetime, if the frame and forks are strong and good quality. The life-expectancy of components is far shorter, and variable. You'll need to change different components between 1000 and 10,000 miles.

What is the average lifespan of a motorcycle?

Regular motorcycles last for over 50,000 miles, although at that point, people consider them old. On the other hand, sports motorcycles become “old” at half that number since they undergo a lot of wear and extreme conditions. 50,000 miles is equivalent to 200,000 miles on a car.

How often do bikes need servicing?

After this initial service, we recommend a major service each 12 months with a minor check up at each change of season. It's a reasonable guideline, but it really does depend on how much you ride, and what kinds of conditions you're riding in. Heavy use, rain, mud and dust all mean more frequent servicing.

How often should I maintain my bike?

A regular schedule of maintenance (monthly, weekly or more often depending on your type of riding) is important. If you spend a lot of time riding in wet, muddy conditions, or if you ride hard, fast and often, plan to clean your bike more frequently.

Is it OK for a bike to get rained on?

You can absolutely leave your bike out in the rain, but you need to be careful about it. Not every accessory can take the water, and you'll need to do regular maintenance if you want your bike to stay in top shape.

How do I know if my carbon frame is damaged?

Look closely for scratches, especially anything deep or through the paint. With a dollar coin, tap on any suspect area and listen for a change in sound. A normal “tap” sound will become a dull thud when the carbon is broken. Gently push on the suspect area to feel if it's softer than the surrounding area.

What causes a bike frame to crack?

Age is probably the main factor in a bike frame cracking. The older it gets, the weaker the material gets. The weaker the material gets, the more likely the frame is to crack.

Can a cracked bike frame be repaired?

In some cases a cracked aluminum bike frame can be welded, but it is complicated, it will take a lot of your time (1-2 weeks of running around) and is expensive to do well, plus the frame will become heavier. Also, some cracks may just be too difficult to be safely repaired.

Can frame damage be fixed?

If you've been in a collision, there is a chance your vehicle may have sustained frame damage. A damaged frame can be dangerous to drive with, and may even lead to further damage if left in disrepair. Thankfully, frame damage is often repairable.

Are old carbon bikes safe?

Myth: A carbon frame won't last as long as a metal one. Reality: As long as you don't crash hard or take a hammer to the frame, a carbon bike can theoretically last forever. In fact, steel and aluminum last only so long before the metal fatigues and can no longer be used safely, but carbon remains stable indefinitely.

Which bike has highest mileage?

Which bike is best for long life?

Which old bike is best?

Does my bike need a tune up?

No matter how often you ride you should give your bike a tune-up at least once a year. Today we'll learn how to tune up your bike, which I'd recommend doing at least once a year, or even every few months if you ride every day.