Voodoorada's Guide to Buying a Bicycle on Ebay

For many of us, buying a bicycle begins with a search on Ebay.  This is because of the wide and varied selection of new and used bicycles than can be found here, from the latest carbon-fiber racer to that vintage old Colnago that we dream about.

Of course, there are several things to consider when looking at bicycles being offered on Ebay, the least of which is the asking price.  In this guide I will try to outline what you should be aware of when purchasing a bicycle from a seller here on Ebay.

Starting the Search

We'll assume you've already decided what type of bicycle you would like (road, mountain, comfort, recumbent, etc).  Now you're ready to begin your search on Ebay for that perfect bike.  If you need some help deciding which type of bike is even right for you, consider reading my other guide on that subject, found here: Buying a Bicycle

You'll begin your search by going to the Cycling Section of Ebay.  You'll notice on the left side of the page are different links, such as Apparel, Mountain Bikes and Parts, etc.  You can use these links to search more specifically for an item, which will narrow the results so you will not have as many pages of product to sort through.  For example, if you wanted to search for a Trek road bike and entered "Trek" in the main Cycling category, you would get results for Trek road bikes, mountain bikes, helmets, clothing, and all manner of Trek accessories.  But if you will click the Road Bikes and Parts link on the left before doing your search, then only Trek bicycles listed under this category will be displayed, making your search easier.

Narrow the Choices

Once you've decided what type of bike you want and found several results by searching, you can begin to narrow your choices down.  The first thing I look for once I find a bicycle I am interested in being listed by a seller is that particular sellers feedback rating.  As with any auction, make sure you are buying from a reputable seller.  In addition, even if they have 22 positive feedbacks, they might be all from buying on Ebay, and not selling.  I would take this into consideration before paying this seller several thousand dollars for a bike.  Of course, a seller like this may be completely reputable, but I am just advocating caution on your part.

Second, check out the auction itself and the description of the bike.  Does the seller sound knowledgeable about the bike he/she is selling?  If the seller is listing a brand-new bicycle for $2500, using a stock picture pulled from a website, and has little or no feedback rating, again I would be wary.  However, if there is a fully detailed description of the bike, multiple pictures of the actual bike, and solid feedback for the seller then the best bet is that the bicycle and seller are for real and you will get what you paid for.

Common Listing Mistakes

A lot of people who sell their bicycles on Ebay are not necessarily knowledgeable about those bikes.  The most common error I see when people list their bikes is the size.  A lot of people think in old school terms when listing their bicycle.  They are used to hearing bicycles called "26-inch" bicycles, and think this is the size of the bike.  But this is the standard size of mountain bike wheels, and has nothing to do with frame size.  Mountain bike frames are measured in inches, while road bike frames are usually expressed in centimeters (cm).  You also need to find out how the seller measured the bike as well, as there are a couple different methods.

One of these methods is center to center, and the other is center to top.  These are commonly expressed as "C-C" or "C-T".  Center to Center means the measurement is taken from the center of the bottom bracket (axle that the crankarm spins around at the bottom of the bike) to the center of the top tube.  Center to Top means the bike is measured from the center of the bottom bracket to the top of the seat tube, where the frame ends and the seatpost begins.  Realize that a 60cm bike measured center to center is larger than a 60cm frame measured center to top.

So if the auction does not express these explicitly, email the seller and ask what the measurements of the bicycle are and how the bike was measured. 

Details, details, details...

Ok, hopefully we won't get bogged down on this part.  For some of you this may not even matter, you just want the bike and it will work fine for you no matter what.  But for those who are looking for a perfect fit from their bike, they need to know more than just the frame size.  Other details the seller should have listed about the bike include the following:

• Stem length
• Handlbar width
• Crankarm length
• Gearing (bike speed, 21, 24, 27, etc)

Aside from those measurements, a buyer might also want to purchase the bike and swap out some of the components for some he/she already owns in order to upgrade the bike.  Or if you are just buying a frame to build up, the following information will also be helpful if listed by the seller:

• Frame size
• Bottom bracket size
• Headtube size
• Seatpost size
• Dropout spacing (front and rear)
• Front derailleur type (braze-on or clamp-on)

If a seller knows this information and lists it, chances are they know a lot about the bicycle they are selling and are more likely to be a reputable seller to purchase from.

Check the Photos

Photos of products can sometimes be deceiving on Ebay.  Make sure you look very closely at all the photos of the bicycle the seller has provided.  They should be showing you the bike from every angle.  If there is anything suspicious, ask the seller about it.  For instance, if you notice that none of the pictures show the left side of the bike, ask for more photos or check the description.  There might be some frame damage the seller is trying to keep you from noticing.  All reputable sellers will disclose any and all frame damage, including dents, paint dings, and other scuffs to the best of their knowledge.  If any of the components don't work, they should list this as well. 

Look for signs of abuse or neglect, such as a rusty chain.  Chances are if the chain is rusted solid and the bike is a steel-framed bike, then it has rust on the inside of the bike as well.  Take note of any issues the seller describes, such as a frozen seat post (will not move up or down), non-working components, etc.  You might get a great deal on a bike, but it won't look so great after you spend a lot of money having a bike shop repair it first thing.

Ask Questions

If there is anything you want to know about the bicycle that the seller hasn't described, ask the seller.  I would never make a major purchase from a seller who wasn't willing to respond to my question in a timely manner.  A seller like this has something to hide, so make sure you get the answers you need before making a purchase.

A few questions can save you a lot of trouble in the future, and save a lot of money as well.  These are some common questions that can help you determine the condition of the bike:

• Are the wheels trued?  (Do they spin with no wobble side to side?)
• Does the drivetrain shift properly through ALL the gears?
• How old are the tires and tubes?
• Has the bike ever been used for racing?
• Has the bike ever been crashed?

Things like having the wheels trued before you get the bike might seem trivial, but a bike shop will charge you about $45 or more to true the wheels.  A tune-up runs $50 and up, and new tires can cost anywhere from $12 to over $50 each, depending on the type and brand you buy.  If a bike has been raced, then it has been used hard and the frame and components have endured more stress than normal.  This can lead to premature failure and having to replace the items long before they normally would need to be.  And of course if the bike has been crashed, then the frame and fork, among other things, would need to be inspected for damage that could lead to failure in the future.

Pack it Up

So you've found the bike or bikes that you want from a seller on Ebay.  You've read the item description very carefully and the seller has answered all your questions to your satisfaction.  It sounds like you're ready to buy!  Make sure you know the shipping costs involved and how much you should be paying.  It costs about $45 to $50 to ship a bike through UPS.  Most people will pack the bike for free, as they can get a bike box at their local shop free of charge.  However, some people charge an additional $35 or so, and sometimes this is for "professional" bike packaging by the local shop.  Find out in advance exactly how much the total packing and shipping charges are for the bike you want before you bid.

If the seller is going to pack it and ship it themselves, request that the bike be packaged carefully, with the frame and all major parts wrapped with protective material like bubble wrap, pipe insulation, or even newspaper to ensure that nothing damages the frame while in transport.  There's nothing worse than buying a nice bike on Ebay, only to have it arrive beat to pieces because it wasn't packed correctly.  And of course it's always going to be the package company's fault.  Paying a couple dollars for insurance on the bike being shipped is never a bad idea.

You and Your Bike

Ok, you've purchased the bike, it's been shipped, and it's finally arrived!  First, check the box for any major damage.  If you find any, try to inspect the bike before the package carrier leaves.  Have the carrier make any notes of damage found on the slip you sign before they leave, this way there is a record should you need to file a complaint in a few days.

Unpack the bike slowly, pulling out all loose components such as wheels before lifting the bike itself out.  All bikes have to be packed with the handlebars turned sideways, so there will be some minor adjusting to do before you can ride the bike.  If you are unsure at all of how to reassemble the bike, please take it to a shop and have them do it.  For the same amount of money as a tune-up they will probably reassemble the bike, give it a quick run through and make sure it is lubed up and ready to ride.  It's worth the money to avoid any problems or accidents in the long run.

I hope your bike search goes well, and good luck finding the ride of your dreams!  Take your time, there are new bikes on Ebay every day.  If something doesn't seem quite right with an auction, then skip it and wait for another.  You and your bike will find each other, it just takes a little patience.

-VoodooRada