Buying a Used Recumbent.

There is nothing better when it comes to owning a recumbent to have bought it new from a real bicycle shop that has experience and is happy to deal. Warranty issues if any arise and free adjustments for the first year are the unseen extras.

That said, there are good deals to be had in the used recumbent market. Sometimes a customer buys a bike and after a year, wants to sell it. I have actually found that a fair amount of used recumbent sales come from customers that thought it would be a easier bike to pedal. As if it had a motor. Hearts broken, they pass it on to another rider for about half the price.

This can be a good deal for both parties, but there are a few things you just might want to consider before making the leap into the world of used.

First thing, Make sure your buying a good recumbent. Something that has a good reputation of safe and correctly designed bicycle. There has been company's that really never knew anything about bicycles before they started building bikes and selling them. I would have to say, most. Without making a list that could upset readers, ask someone you know who rides a recumbent or call a shop that deals in new bikes. Most likely If a bicycle shop sells the brand, its a bicycle worth owning. They also will be happy to service your used bike. There are brands out in the used market that have key parts that when broken are not available. This could have you parking the bike for good, or having something made that could have you spending more then if you had purchased a brand new bicycle to begin with.

Second, The best way to buy used is to pick up the bike yourself. Having the bicycle shipped is usually where things go wrong. Hers why:

Shipping a recumbent requires a shop that has recumbent experience. The best way to ship is in the box or boxes that the recumbent came in. Usually two boxes are needed to safely ship the bike. If the seller just brings the bike in to any shop, you stand the chance of having it received by someone that really doesn't want to do to do the job or know how. Its just a bicycle until they actually try to pack it.
Make sure the bike is being packed and shipped by someone who knows what they are doing and wants to do it. A grumpy close minded mechanic, (and I have seen a few) could be your first problem.

Third, Make sure unless you know how to assemble a recumbent yourself, that the shop that receives your boxed bicycle sells Recumbents. If the don't, most will tell you that it wont be a problem until later one arises. A good way to eliminate any problems is to bring the bike to a shop that actually sells that brand. If that's imposable, at least ask if they have the special clamp for their"Park stand" to fit the recumbents sized tubing. If they don't, they will not be able to correctly build the bike.

Figure that boxing and shipping from a shop that deals with recumbents will be around $200.00. Assembling the bike by a shop that has recumbent experience will be another $100. If you are quoted less, figure that they have very little recumbent experience if any at all.

Finally, How the bike is shipped is completely out of your or the shop at ether ends hands. I have had perfectly packed bikes go out at night and come back the very next morning, crushed and without the box. How could this happen? It actually sometimes does.

Again, the best way to buy used is to go pick up the bike. You may be able to convince the seller to deliver it themselves for extra money, or to meet you half way. This completely eliminates the dismantling and assembly of the bike that if it can be avoided make the best sense of all, Why fix something that isn't broke,,,Yet.

I would love to see comments regarding this post to further help readers looking to buy a used recumbent. Past experiences and how to avoid problems in the future. Thank You for reading BOSRUG.