Buying advice: Used mountain bikes

The adverts for used bikes paint a bleak picture of mountain bikers. The sports equipment is apparently only purchased in order to put it in the living room immediately after purchase. There it remains until the next new purchase. Unused, pampered, occasionally looked at. The offers read like a menu from the land of milk and honey. Examples? Specialized Stumpjumper Expert, half the new price - "only ridden a few times on the road". Cannondale Flash, for a bid - "only one day old". Or on quoka.de: Specialized FSR built in 2006, 1900 euros - "bike is only in the living room". Similarly on Ebay: Cube Stereo built in 2007, bid 540 euros - "better than the original!". It's hard to believe. Of course, it's all a lie. Nowhere is there more fibbing than in sales adverts.

A classy mountain bike for a fraction of the price? You can forget it! The mountain bike industry is booming. Especially in the premium segment, the buying mood has been unchecked for years. Some companies can barely keep up with deliveries. But what happens to all the used bikes is a mystery. Compared to new purchases, the supply of high-quality second-hand goods is thin on the ground. This is mainly due to the enormous drop in value. Even used high-end bikes of the current vintage are priced at the same level as brand new, radically reduced discontinued goods. This is why many bike owners prefer to pass on their expensive bike to family members or use it as a second bike in winter. Second-hand bargains are possible. But you need patience and nerves of steel. A test ride is a must, compromises on frame height are taboo! The following tips will help you through the second-hand jungle.

Buy a new or used bike?

Here's an example of what you can get for 1500 euros. The price of the brand new Cube LTD AMS 125 Pro with aluminium frame (above) plummeted from 1900 euros to 1500 euros at the end of the season. The full warranty and dealer service speak in favour of the bike. The 2600 euro Radon Sceen 8 also costs 1500 euros second-hand. It has similar equipment and a carbon frame. Possible defects are difficult to assess.
Conclusion: better to play it safe and buy new.

Where to buy or sell used bikes?

Classifieds: The easiest way to offer a bike, usually even free of charge. Absolutely risk-free. The only thing you need as a seller is a little patience. Buyers should not be afraid to haggle, as the prices are often set too high. Tip: www.quoka.de

Bicycle trade/bike shop: Because of the tricky warranty issue, hardly any shops take bikes as trade-ins. And if they do, then at ridiculous prices. Second-hand shops are a good address for sellers who need quick money. And buyers who value service.

EbayEverything finds a buyer here, the only question is at what price. Attention: Sellers should remember the Ebay fee; buyers should remember the shipping costs. Another minus: A test drive is often not possible due to the distance.

This is what the pro advises when buying used bikes:

Frame: Carefully check the frame for cracks. Small dents in the aluminium are not bad, a crack in the carbon is a total loss.
Fork/damperPull the brake, push the wheel forwards and backwards. Does it jerk? Then the bushes are worn. Be careful with plunger tubes and dampers!
Brakes: Rubbers crumbly or even completely off? The replacement will cost you about a penny.
ImpellersRemove the wheels and turn the axles. If they run roughly, the bearings are damaged.
Tyres are wearing parts, but quite expensive. Check the tyres for cracks, including the side casing!

Buying used bikes: Tips and tricks

1. check the original price: Advertisements often quote fantasy retail prices to make the offer appear favourable. Check!
2. test ride: Never buy a bike without a test ride. Even if the offer promises to be a one-off super bargain.
3. take your time: Look at every detail. Ask about crashes, previous damage, defects. If in doubt: Hands off!
4. contract: Words are fleeting, letters are binding. Always seal the purchase with a written contract.

Selling used bikes: Tips and tricks

1. remain objective: Describe the bike honestly in the advert. Exaggerated advertising phrases such as "top!" quickly provoke anger.
2. rectify defects: Even if it costs a few euros at first: Only a flawless bike will fetch a high price.
3. set a limit: Every prospective buyer will haggle. That's okay, but you should set yourself a lower limit right from the start.
4. wait for demand: Demand booms in the spring, nothing works in the winter. Wait until the warmer months before selling.

The legal situation for used mountain bikes

Lawyer Michael Albert knows the pitfalls of second-hand purchases:

Guarantee Even if it is a private seller, the buyer has the full statutory warranty rights. If the bike has defects, the seller must rectify them.

Guarantee As soon as such a promise has been made, the seller must honour it. This also applies if freedom from defects has been guaranteed.

Defects Defects must be pointed out. However, the seller does not have to point out all unfavourable characteristics of the bike if he is not asked about them.

Warranty period If a defect only appears days or weeks after the purchase, it becomes difficult. Legally, it depends on whether the bike had a defect on the day of purchase, and the buyer must then prove this. Which is not always easy. When buying from a second-hand shop, it's the other way round. If a defect occurs within the first six months, the dealer must prove that the bike was free of defects when it was sold.

Interview with the used bike expert

How do you determine the value of a used bike?
To be honest, pi times thumbs. There are no tables or fixed rules. Only experience counts. Roughly speaking, a good, well-maintained second-hand bike costs around half the price of a new one.

Which bikes are particularly popular?
Timeless, simple bikes. A good XT hardtail will still be a good XT hardtail in ten years' time. Fullys are difficult. They are often old hat after just a few years. Nobody asks for them.

When is the best time to buy a bargain?
In autumn. Many sell their bike after the season because they want a new one in spring. Others need money for Christmas presents. Demand is low. That's when you should strike.

From private sellers or second-hand shops?
Of course, as dealers we also have to earn something. We can hardly be cheaper than private dealers. But with us, the customer is on the safe side. Every bike is meticulously checked. We offer a free service for a few months. That's a good argument.