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Used bicycles on eBay.com

Used bicycle prices are fairly difficult to determine. Is it the latest bicycle model, or a vintage model? Is the bicycle in fantastic condition, or is its frame covered in unsightly scratches and nicks? Are all the bicycle parts in working condition? These are all factors that one must take into account when trying to determine the price of a second-hand bike. By the end of this article, you'll be equipped with the information you need to accurately estimate the price of a second-hand bicycle.

Factors Affecting Used Bicycle Prices

Buying used bicycles, especially from reputable dealers on sites like eBay, is one of the best ways to add to your bicycle collection without burning a hole in your wallet. But what is the real price you should pay for a used bike?

I wish I could give you an easy formula for calculating the price of a second-hand bike - something like, "A used bike always costs 30 percent less than a brand new bike of the same model". However, the used bike market doesn't work that way. Here are three factors that can have a tremendous effect on used bicycle prices.

Working Condition

This is usually the most important factor. Bicycles are meant to be ridden and missing, or malfunctioning bike parts can endanger the cyclist's life. Thus, bicycles that are in poor working condition are likely to be sold at drastically lower prices, especially if there is damage to crucial bike parts like the derailleur or brakes.

Aesthetic Condition

If a bike is in great working condition but is covered in nicks and dents, the bicycle will probably not sell for a very high price either. This factor is especially important for mountain bikes and other high-end bike models. Mint-condition competitive-grade bikes are highly sought after because no cyclist wants to be seen riding a beat-up, scratched bicycle at a competition. With every scratch, the selling price of a used bicycle diminishes.

Bicycle Model

In general, recent bike models command higher used bicycle prices. High-end bicycle manufacturers like Schwinn are updating their bike designs frequently to ensure that they remain cutting-edge in a competitive market. Used bicycles may thus become obsolete and depreciate fairly quickly.

Last Date Of Service

Bicycles need to be regularly serviced to keep the bike chain lubricated, the bike frame free of rust, and the brakes in good working condition. If the used bicycle you're thinking of buying was last serviced years or even decades ago, the odds are high that you will need to take the bike for an expensive maintenance session. You should bring this factor up in negotiations to force the seller to lower his price.

Tire Condition

Bikes with tires that are completely bald and worn out fetch lower used bicycle prices. Some bicycle tires do not come cheap, especially if the bike is designed for use with huge all-terrain tires. If you have to pay for replacement tires, the seller should take this into account in the negotiation process.

Accident History

Bicycles that have been in accidents can be made to look new through extensive paint jobs. However, no amount of aesthetic repair work can fix the internal structural damage caused by a serious bicycle accident. Signs that a bicycle has been in an accident include a warped fork and patchy, uneven paint. When in doubt, do question the seller over a bicycle's accident history. Bikes that have been in accidents go for rock-bottom prices but are only suitable for display purposes as they can be very dangerous to ride.

A Word About Vintage Bicycles

Vintage bicycles are the exception to the rule. Older used vintage bike models with rusty parts and scratched frames may still command a hefty sum. This is known in the second-hand bike industry as the "vintage premium".

Recently, vintage bicycles have enjoyed increasing popularity as "hipster" culture spreads. Bike collectors have a newfound appreciation for old, rustic-looking bicycles with signs of age. These vintage bikes are usually not bought for riding but for display. Thus, factors like working conditions or aesthetic conditions are unlikely to have much bearing on the price of a second-hand vintage bike. Moreover, the older the vintage bike model, the more highly prized it will be. Antique bicycles thus fetch some of the highest used bicycle prices.

How to Buy and Sell a Bicycle Online?

If you are interested in selling or buying a bicycle online, the best and most trusted online store is eBay. Take a look:

Last Word About Used Bicycle Prices

Now that you know the factors affecting used bicycle prices, it will be easier for you to make informed decisions when buying used bikes online. You're less likely to be fooled by unscrupulous second-hand bicycle dealers. When in doubt, buy bikes on sites with buyer protection such as eBay.

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