How to buy a bicycle well: new and used from sellers
Start with the type and size
Two things decide whether you will like a bicycle: its purpose and the frame size. A city or folding bike suits daily rides, a road bike suits fast tarmac, a gravel bike a mix of surfaces, a mountain hardtail trails and open land, and a full-suspension bike rough terrain.
Frame size is chosen by height: for 185 cm you usually look for L, for 170–175 cm M. This is a guide, and the exact fit depends on the maker and the geometry, so give both your height and the size in your request.
What to put in your request
- Type of bike — mountain, road, city, gravel, children's;
- Model, if you already have one in mind, for example Trek Marlin 7;
- Condition — new or used, and the age you accept;
- Frame size and height;
- Wheel diameter — 26 inch, 27.5 inch, 29 inch;
- Equipment — brakes, drivetrain, fork, for example hydraulic brakes and Deore 1×12;
- Budget;
- City and whether you want to inspect it in person.
Example: “Looking for a 29-inch mountain hardtail with an L frame for a height of 185 cm. Hydraulic brakes, Deore 1×12. Used and no more than 2 years old, or a new Trek Marlin 7. Lahore, I want to inspect it in person. Budget up to Rs 170,000.”
New or used, and what to look at
A new bike gives you a warranty and a clean history, while a used one often has better equipment for the same money. But inspection is a must. Check the frame for cracks near the head tube, bottom bracket and rear dropouts, play in the headset and the bottom bracket, the condition of the chain and cassette, and wear on the rotor and pads. Ask for the frame number and the bill or papers so that you are sure the bike is not stolen.
Ask how far it has been ridden and when it was last serviced: fresh lubrication and cables matter more than a “shiny” look.
How to compare offers
The same model name does not guarantee the same parts: makers change the specification between years. So compare the fork, shifters, brakes and wheels. See whether assembly, setup, mudguards and pedals are included in the price, because sometimes they are not. Ask separately about delivery of a partly dismantled bike.
What BlaBlaPrice gives you
You write your request on the home page, and bike shops and private sellers send offers in the chat themselves. They see where they stand among others, so they often improve the price or add accessories. It is free for buyers, and your phone stays hidden. How it all works is on How it works.
With a bike you will need cycling protection and bicycle accessories, and for a different kind of riding look at electric bikes.
