Buying Used vs New

A lot of people looking to buy a new road, commuter or mountain bike are often faced with the same question, should I buy second hand or new? While the appeal of second hand bikes often lies in the pricing, there can be some hidden costs down the road. While buying new may be more expensive for the initial purchase, warranty and after sales give you piece of mind. 



Second-hand bikes can often seem like they are a bargain but, if you don’t know what you are checking for replacements can cost more than the bike itself. You may not know when the suspension was last serviced, how long the drivetrain has been on the bike or whether there may be a crack in the frame. 



A full suspension service is going to cost around 300-400 dollars and if there is something severely wrong with suspension that will jump into the 700-800 dollar mark at least. A worn chain may only be 30-40 dollars but, if the cassette has been worn it can cost between 40 and 90 dollars on a commuter. High-end mountain bike or road bike cassettes can cost as much as 500 dollars. If the frame bearings, headset bearings or bottom bracket bearings are worn the labour alone will be in the hundreds. 



A crack in the frame can not only be costly but also very dangerous. If the frame gives way and snaps, you will have no chance of saving it. If you are getting a second-hand frame it is extremely important to scour it for any cracks. It doesn’t take long for a small crack to grow and cause a catastrophic failure. 



When buying new you will know exactly what every part has been through as you have done all the riding. The suspension has never done any work and the frame is pristine. You have a strong piece of mind that your bike is reliable and you don’t have to worry about any failures. 



If you do have issues with a brand new bike from Bicycles Online, we pride ourselves on having the best after-sales support in the industry. The brands we deal with believe in their products and if you have any issues, we can get it sorted with a minimal effect on your wallet. Our support team is all riders and we understand how devastating it can be without a bike so we make sure we get you back riding as soon as possible. 

With that extra peace of mind, all you have to do is ride your bike. No worrying about what may happen, just worry about that feature that is in front of you, your commute into work, or that cruise along the beach. We will make sure your bike is perfect for you.