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There’s just one rule for buying a good bicycle. You should go to a good bicycle shop. It may be slightly more expensive than a cycle warehouse or a shop that sells everything, but it will be worth every penny. You will get a good guarantee, service and above all good advice on how to keep you and your cycle fit. You will also get all your accessories.
To find a good shop, you need to gather information. Talk to other cyclists in the area, go to the local library or go to your local bicycle shop. First see how the people are. For example ask whether they have something very obscure like six-speed screw-on SunTour block and see how they react. Check their level of commitment and see if they have things like advertisements for second hand bicycles or fliers for forthcoming club runs or races. If they care about cycling, they’ll care about selling you the right kind of bicycle. Once you’ve found the right shop, make specific enquiries and explain exactly what you are looking for. Check up on magazines on cycling for this) If they haven’t got exactly what you want, ask. They might order it for you or might have a similar model in stock.
It is unlikely that the parts are bad or suffered crash damage, but check anyway. It is best if you change defective parts before paying. Many shops allow test rides so do go in for it. But you must expect them to ask you to leave adequate security with them.
If you want to go in for a second hand bicycle, do it. You can almost always get a better bicycle for less money, second hand. Track down a good bicycle your size and make sure it isn't stolen or damaged. Take a friend along with you for support or technical help and to stay in the shop while you go for a test drive. Check for the following things before handing in the money.
Crash Damage: Rippled paint on tubes where the meet head tube suggests crash damage. Don’t buy it.
Frame Alignment: If you can try riding the bicycle hands off during test drive. If it constantly veers to one side, it means there’s a problem with frame alignment.
Wheels: Lift both wheels one at a time off the ground and try to spin them. If there’s a side-to-side movement, the bicycle needs truing. Bulges or cracks in rim will require a wheel rebuild. Check the seat stays aren’t bent in the rear wheel and that the wheel sits at equidistance between them. Also check that the derailleur hanger is vertical.
Bent forks: Check that the forks aren’t bent inwards or towards the down tube and also check the top of the forks carefully.
Bent pedal spindles: The pedal spindles should be parallel to the floor and at right angle to down tube.
General wear: Check for frayed
cable ends, ripped saddle, torn bar tape, worn tyres and brake
blocks.
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