Buying a used bike without taking a stolen one home

Most of the good bikes in this city are second-hand. So are most of the arguments. A low price on a bridge is not a bargain if the frame number sits in the theft register.

Ask for the frame number before you meet. Check it on Stop Heling. No number, a vague story, ‘I lost the key but it is mine’: do not buy. We will not open that lock to save the deal.

A receipt, or a message in which the previous owner confirms brand, colour and number. Cash on a corner with no name is how stolen bikes keep moving. You are then the next person filing a report.

The lock comes with it, or you agree a lock goes on immediately. A bike with no key is often not a ‘forgotten key’. It can be a cut lock dressed up with a padlock. Look for grind marks on the old shackle.

Test ride: gears, brakes, play in the bottom bracket, a wheel that wobbles, a seat post pulled too far out of the frame. A crack at the rear fork does not show in a listing photo.

Used e-bike: see the battery, charge it while you are there, ride further than the end of the street. Display errors and a battery that is ‘still fine’ are the expensive surprise.

If the size is wrong, the bike is expensive even when the price is low. Same sit-test as new. Buying new explains that test.

We sometimes have a bike. Not an anonymous lot. You hear what is wrong with it. Message us, or read the types on buy a bike first. If you are unsure about an advert that is not ours, read buying used and bring the frame number. We will not buy it off a stranger for you.