The “out-of-stock tide” brought about by the epidemic has made it difficult to find a bike in the cycling circle. Even if some brands can order a bike, the delivery time varies from a few months to more than half a year. There are many bike fans who can’t wait to turn their attention to used bikes. A used bike seems to be a better choice when it is out of stock, but unlike a brand new bike that can be easily assembled and ready to go on the road, a second-hand bicycle will naturally wear out after riding on the ground. Your used bike has a new look.

Brake

The importance of the brake system on a bicycle is self-evident. As consumables, the brake pads/rear pads will continue to wear during use. After the second-hand bicycle is received, you must first check the life of the brake pads. If it is about to wear out, you need to Replace immediately so as not to affect braking power and safety.

If the bike uses a disc brake system, it is also necessary to check whether the disc is deformed to cause the disc to rub against the disc, and the thickness of the disc also needs to be observed. The disc with a long use distance will become thinner, and if it is too thin, it may cause safety risks and needs to be replaced in time.

Transmission system

Another thing to check is the transmission system. The flywheel, disc and chain are also consumables. The wear of the first two is not easy to judge, but the chain can be! With the increase of the number of kilometers of the chain, the chain hole and the chain needle are constantly rubbed, and the gap between the two chains becomes larger, which leads to the chain being stretched. If one end can be easily inserted, it means that the chain wear is too large and needs to be replaced in time. Continued use will easily accelerate the wear of the flywheel and disc, which is not worth the loss.

Tire

The previous owner may have ridden a pair of tires for 10,000 to 20,000 kilometers. Be sure to check the tire wear level after you get it. You can observe the outer tire with the naked eye. If the tire line of the outer tire is still there and the pattern is clear, it proves that the tire has not been used much mileage and can be used again. If the surface pattern of the outer tire has been ground flat and the shape looks very “square”, it needs to be replaced. Some tire brands (such as Continental) will have 2 small holes punched in the tire when it leaves the factory, which is convenient for users to observe the wear of the tread. If the hole groove is found to be very shallow, it needs to be replaced in time. In addition to looking at wear and tear, you should also pay attention to the aging of the tire (the same is true for the inner tire). Although some tires have not used much mileage, they will cause cracks on the surface after being placed for a long time, and they also need to be replaced.

Belt

Taking the belt as one of the contact points between people and the bike is likely to be “moisturized” by the sweat of the previous bike owner, and it is easy to leave black and gray stains in the process of grasping (but the common black handle belt is not resistant to dirt). A handle belt usually costs not much, and buying a new handle belt at a small price can bring a new and pleasant gripping experience.

Bearing

Bearings are hidden in the frame and wheel set, which are often easily overlooked. Cleaning the surface of the bicycle can make the bike look as bright as new, but the internal bearings may have entered the sand and water and started to rust. After the bike is in hand, you can disassemble the head tube to check whether the headset bearing rotates smoothly, and whether there are “pockmarks” in the rotation of the center axle or wheel bearing. The bearing in disrepair will not only be jerky, but also increase the riding resistance, and will also be accompanied by Annoying abnormal noise. After the second-hand bike arrives, the bearing parts need to be cleaned and oiled. If the wear is serious, it should be replaced in time, which can bring a silky riding experience. After doing the above points, you can make your second-hand bike look brand new, and fight for another three years!