What's So Hard About Buying a Used Bike Online?

from The Gear Patrol Podcast · host Tanner Bowden, Nick Caruso

Senior Staff Writer Tanner Bowden explains what's so difficult about buying used bikes online–and offers tips on making it much easier. Episode Navigation:01:20 – What's Hard About Buying Any Bike Online05:10 – Why the Used Bike-Buying Process Is So Convoluted07:20 – The Pandemic and Economic Issues Caused a Massive Bike Shortage11:05 – Specific Elements That Complicate the Used Bike-Buying Process12:10 – Some Dedicated Sites That Sell Used Bikes (And That You Can Trust)13:30 – What You Should Know Before Starting Your Search15:50 – Why Shopping Online for a Used Bike Is Harder Than Finding a Used Car18:20 – Tips and Tricks for Buying Used Bikes From Different Websites22:05 – How To Inspect a Used Bike In Person If You Aren't a Pro24:10 – eBay-Specific Advice: Seller Ratings, Photos, and More27:00 – Serial Numbers and How To Avoid Stolen Goods29:30 – FatFingers.com May Help You Find Hidden Gems32:35 – 'The Pro's Closet' Is The Best Way To Buy a High-end Used Bike40:00 – Tanner's Most Important Advice: Ask Lots of QuestionsFeatured: Shopping for a Used Bike? Here’s How to Get One on the InternetThe Internet Is the Best Place to Buy a Used Premium BikeThe Used Bikes We’d Buy Right Now Under $50011 Awesome Bicycle Brands You Should KnowComplete Guide to Buying Your First Bike Used Bike Marketplaces and Forums:The Pro’s ClosetPinkbike’s BuySell forumBicycle Blue BookGearTradeSerial Number Searches:Bike IndexProject 529 Find Hidden Gems on eBay:FatFingers

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Jun 8, 2021

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What this episode covers

In this episode, Senior Staff Writer Tanner Bowden, who covers outdoors and fitness, explains what's so difficult about buying used bikes online–and offers tips on making it much easier. Like so many other industries and hobbies, cycling has seen a pretty significant resurgence in the wake of our Coronavirus-related lifestyle changes, and perhaps you're newly in the market; maybe you're a cyclist of many years and looking for an upgrade. Regardless, you'd be forgiven for finding the used bike-buying process somewhat opaque, but with a few specific strategies in mind–steps you may not have thought to take, helpful websites to utilize–Tanner says it's actually quite easy to find that bike of your dreams. So whether you're a casual or new rider looking for a commuter, or a dedicated enthusiast in search of an extremely high-end machine, Tanner's tips will arm you well to tackle the used bike marketplace.