If you are in the market for a new gravel bike, it’s always worth remembering that it doesn’t have to be bought out of a store fresh out of the box. There’s a huge market for pre-loved gravel bikes and some incredible bargains to be had on the second-hand market. When it comes to buying a used gravel bike, it’s important to know what you’re looking at, and having the ability to spot a problem and negotiate is very important. This article will tell you everything you need to know about buying a used gravel bike for the best gravel riding experience. We will be discussing the following:
Table of contents
What Is A Gravel Bike?
Before we get into telling you how to find the perfect used gravel bike for you, it’s vital to understand what a gravel bike is so you don’t fall into the trap of buying someone’s random version on a gravel bike. Here’s what you should be looking for as a minimum on a gravel bike:
- Large gravel tires, 35c to 50c, with lots of clearance.
- Disc brakes, hydraulic or mechanical.
- Gravel bike low-range gearing such as Shimano GRX.
- Relaxed geometry, not aggressive like a road racing bike.
- Designed as a gravel bike with good durability.
We say to look out for these because there’s a big market for people taking other bikes and converting them to gravel bikes when this isn’t always going to give you the same experience.
A cyclocross bike with larger tires is not a gravel bike and wont perform on gravel roads as well. Road bikes maxed on tire clearance or a classic mountain bike converted to drop bars isn’t an ideal gravel bike either. We have even seen city bikes people are trying to pass off as the “best gravel bike” online.
What Are The Limitations Of A Gravel Bike?
It’s also important to understand that although gravel bikes are amazing, all bikes have limitations. They are good for many different types of riding, but you won’t want to ride a gravel bike on a super technical trail or in a time trial if you plan on being competitive or want a pleasant experience.
Related Reading: How to Convert a Mountain Bike to a Gravel Bike
Do I Need An Expensive Gravel Bike?
There’s a big misconception that you must spend a lot of money on a decent gravel bike. In our opinion, you definitely do not. Cheaper gravel bikes will still be able to get you up a steep hill and take rough terrain well. They are also very durable and will also come equipped with everything you need for a bikepacking adventure.
The extra money when it comes to gravel bikes will generally give you a lighter bike with smoother shifting, possibly electronic components, and lighter wheels with performance tires. There’s no denying a more expensive bike will perform better, and that does have value.
Best Online Stores to Buy a Used Gravel Bike
When it comes to buying the best-used gravel bike you can, there’s a huge amount of websites that are going to help you. Here are our favorites:
Ebay
EBay is a great place to start when looking for mountain bikes, cyclocross bikes, and even used gravel bikes. Not only is there a huge amount of choice you also generally get a lot more information when it comes to the item specifics. We also love the fact that you are a little more protected by feedback and a company overseeing it all.
When it comes to searching, the best way to go is to filter by the size of bike you need and then start by looking at the closest first. This means you get the correct size bike, and the closer it is, the more chance you have to go and see it before committing to buy.
Facebook’s Marketplace
Facebook’s marketplace is a great way to find a good gravel bike. You not only have a huge selection, Facebook doesn’t charge sellers to list. You also can tell if they are genuine because it is linked to their profile.
Searching in your local area and buying items from local people you might have friends in common with is a great way to find a good gravel bike. We highly recommend doing your research because there are a lot fewer details about bikes on Facebook.
Craigslist
Finally, we have Craigslist. This is one of the most popular sites for buying and selling in the US. When it comes to bikes, you have more than enough choice, and it’s a very easy site to navigate and use.
Although Craigslist is a great way to go, we recommend checking serial numbers and ensuring you have as many details of the bike as possible before going to look. It is not rare to see stolen bikes on this site unfortunately.
Related Reading: Best Budget Gravel Bike
How to Buy a Used Gravel Bike
When I look at buying a used gravel bike, I follow certain steps to ensure it’s going to be right, and I know I’m not getting anything dodgy.
Step One: What Gravel Bikes Do You Like?
The first thing you need to do is to find gravel bikes you like. Try not to fall into the trap of just going for anything. Knowing what bikes you like and the size you should have them in is important. Search for gravel bikes on eBay or similar sites to gauge what is currently around and what you might like the look of.
Step Two: Where Are You Looking?
Now you have found some bikes you like the look of and know what size you need, where do you start looking for second-hand gravel bikes? Earlier in this article, we gave you some great options for where to look online, but how far should you travel?
We recommend the closer to home, the better, but it’s important if you have a unique size or the deal is amazing, it might be worth traveling further away. I personally have never traveled more than 100 miles to collect a bike, but I would consider going further for the right bike.
Step Three: Understanding The Bikes Value
Before going to see the bike and check it out, it’s good to get an understanding of what they are going for in other sales. A good way to do this is to go onto eBay and find a similar bike by searching under sold listings. This will give you a good idea of what you should be spending.
Step Four: The Bike Inspection
So you have found the perfect bike for you, and it’s time now to go and take a look. When it comes to looking at a new bike, it’s easy to get lost in conversation with the owner and not do all the proper checks you should be doing. Here’s what we recommend:
Is It Stolen?
Under the bottom bracket of the majority of gravel bikes, you will have a serial number. If you put this into an online stolen bike checker, it will tell you if it’s registered as stolen. We 100% recommend this to be the first thing you do.
Any Damage?
After you have checked it isn’t stolen, it’s time to get straight to the rest of the bike to check for damage. Be cautious if you see any dents, cracks in the frame, or even parts with paint taken off, especially with carbon gravel bikes.
Is It The Correct Size?
Surprisingly when it comes to bikes, some people don’t entirely know what size they are riding and guess depending on their height. I recommend finding the top tube measurement before seeing the bike and checking when you get there.
Are The Components Correct?
Over many years of buying bikes, I have noticed that it’s not rare to find some with downgraded components. Some gravel riders might use a bike for a season and then, when servicing comes around, use much less desirable parts, which in turn should reflect in the value.
How Does It Ride?
You can tell a lot about a gravel bike by how it rides. Although some sellers are a bit particular about you taking a test ride on their bike in return for a form of ID, most people are ok. It is very important to take the bike for a spin and get a feel for how it rides. Everything should feel nice and tight, and the gear should work properly.
Are The Components In Good Condition?
It’s always a good idea to check the components are in good condition. Check the cassette and chainrings for shark teeth, and also pull the front of the chain on the chainring to see the stretch. It’s good to know to help negotiate and also so there are no surprises when the bike shops tell you the service bill. We recommend checking the following:
- Discs, are they straight and true.
- Brake pads, do they work, and have a lot of compound left.
- Gravel bike tires, are they in good condition and don’t need changing?
- Wheels check they are straight and the bearings are smooth.
- Chain, check for stretch.
- Chainrings and cassette, check for shark teeth.
- Shifters, do they shift correctly and are in good condition.
- Crank, check for play in the bottom bracket.
- Headset, turn the handlebars left and right and ensure it’s smooth.
- Check that no hydraulic fluid is leaking and that cables are in good condition.
Step Five: Negotiation
Now for the fun bit of negotiating. Never be scared to ask for a lower price. Typically when people list bikes on eBay or elsewhere, they expect to be bartered down a little, and providing you don’t go too silly low, they will meet you somewhere.
Using the information you have from the checks above, think about what you want to pay for the gravel bike and make a serious offer knowing that there’s always another bike to buy if they don’t accept.
Don’t be afraid to walk away from a sale if you aren’t confident. It’s where a lot of people go wrong feeling just because they have traveled an hour or two that they have to return with something.
Buy a Used Gravel Bike this Summer!
There’s no denying that there are a lot of benefits to buying a pre-loved bike. They are much cheaper, and you get many more choices than just what is on the current market. We hope you find your dream bike.
Read More: How to Build Your Own Gravel Bike