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MOUNTAIN BIKE MADNESS What To Look For Before Buying a Second-Hand Bike… Good mountain bikes these days are by no means cheap. However, a knock-on effect of their expense is that they are being built with much stronger and more durable materials, meaning there are literally thousands of great second-hand bikes out there for a fraction of the cost of a new one. You just need to know what to look for. There are usually many elements to a second-hand mountain bike and each bike tends to vary in its make-up. Outlined here are the key points to look out for on the more common components.
Wheels
Brakes
Turn the bike upside-down and check the condition of the rims. Look out for dents or fractures in the metal and spin both wheels to see if they run true. Any problems with the rims will hinder performance and might mean you’ll need to fork out for a new pair straight away. Check each spoke individually for tightness or damage. Spokes can be tightened or replaced easily but loose spokes can be an indication of a misshaped wheel. When spinning the wheels, pay attention to how the bearings function. The wheels should spin almost silently and with very little resistance. Any noise or resistance to the wheel turning could be a problem with the bearings and may mean they need replacing.
There are a number of different types of brake used on modern bikes but they all do the same job, so the best way to test them is to get on the bike and use them to stop. Use both brakes individually in order to highlight any problems and look out for weak braking power, excessive noise, shuddering or having to use a lot of hand force to engage the brakes. Also, check the brake cables for any fraying or splitting…any damage to the cables can spell trouble for braking power, especially for hydraulic brake reservoirs, so give them a good inspection. To be honest, most problems can be corrected by making small adjustments, but be prepared to pay for new cables, pads, levers and even brake-sets if there is significant wear/damage. Frame The frame is arguably the most important part of the bike to inspect. Almost every frame is different but there are common elements that should be checked. First, examine the welds in the frame. Are there any cracks or clear weak spots? How about the top tube and down tube, are they in good condition? Don’t be afraid to apply a reasonable amount of force to each part of the frame, it should be able to hold up to a lot. If you see any weakness or excessive movement, then the frame is severely compromised. In some instances, the frame can be re-wielded or strengthened but it’s unlikely to be worth your time - and there are plenty more bikes in the sea. The general condition of the frame should be good. If there are lots of dents or nicks in the frame, it may suggest the bike’s had a lot of use or has been badly treated. Suspension As with other elements of a mountain bike, suspension can come in many forms, so again the best way to test it, is to use it. To test the front forks, repeatedly apply pressure downwards on the handle bars and see how much travel there is in the forks. Look out for restricted movement or too much movement – both of which can suggest damage. Remember however that many types of suspension allow for adjustments to the travel in order to give a firmer or softer ride, so test at both extremes that the forks
February 23rd, 2012 -February 29th, 2012 AZWeeklyMagazine.com
offer. Some forms of suspension use oil in the forks. If this is the case, then clean both forks, apply some downward pressure on the handle bars and see if there is any oil on the forks when the suspensions expands back out again. If there is oil, there’s most likely a problem with the fork seals and they’ll need replacing. To check the rear suspension, place pressure downwards on the saddle. Like with the front forks, there should not be too little or too much movement. However, advances in rear suspension have allowed adjustment to the travel here as well, so take this into account. Chain Depending on quality, the price of a new chain can be quite steep, so you’re going to want to inspect the condition of the current one. A good chain shouldn’t have any rust on it, it should be well-fitting and each link should be able to pivot on either side. If two links will not move independently of each other, then they can very easily be replaced. But beware, one locked link often means there will be others. Tip the bike upside down and give the chain a good few rotations. It should be smooth, quiet and easy to turn. To reiterate, the best way to test a used mountain bike is to give it a good ride. If everything on the bike is in good condition, the seller shouldn’t mind you testing it. And if there are any problems, they will soon become apparent.