Where to find used bikes other than craigslist
 

I've searched the forum and haven't successfully found new ideas. So now I'm asking. Yup....I checked out the for sale section here and from what I seen, it's not that active with bikes.

I want to step up to carbon. People on here talk about getting used bikes but I haven't found a great place to get them. Not in a big rush but don't want to miss something. I ride a 61cm so that cuts down my selection and the preciousness of a find.

Thanks!

Try your LBS. Not every bike shop sells used, but in my area, some of the urban ones do. Better to get a customer into a used bike at 50% off retail, or more than to turn them away, I guess.

Ebay is another online option. Sort by distance... I have bought a couple of bikes locally that way. You may be able to see and/or test ride before bidding, depending on the seller.

I would suggest garage sales, but you are unlikely to run into carbon there, but possibly estate sales (again, pretty unlikely, but you never know).

Keep calling bike shops. Some bike shops have just ceded the used market to Cragislist. However keep trying. If you have a car be willing to drive to father out ones.

Make friends with the guys who have that turrible disease upgradeitis you'd be amazed how often they cast off extremely nice things for little to no money.

Our LBS out here, takes in consignments , and trade ins and resells bikes people want to accept a low enough price
to make the resale , as is, a reasonable cost ..

Carbon frames ? zero . just not that high end a customer base here ..

the Madone one of the guys that worked there wanted to buy,

He had to go to Portland to test ride any , though once the size was chosen ,
Trek did ship it to the Shop .

St, bt, tpf, ww

Bike shops

If you work post something in your break room. I did this a couple weeks ago. Produced a few leads and caused a few people saying they will keep an out.

Check here to see if there's any co-ops or bike kitchens in your area.

Police Auctions ..

stolen But with the PD's receipt and you're cleared .

or Uni Campus Security ... abandoned at graduation.

BigEarth - Post your location, that helps us to help you. Our Google KungFu might be a bit stronger.
To answer: Bike Co-ops, play-it-again-sports, LBSs dealing in used, EBay, other online dealing in "scratch and dent", college campus boards, cycling friends who have N+1 issues.....

If there a bike clubs in your area; check their message board
and Facebook page. Here in the NYC area for example - the
New York Cycle Club and 5 Boro Bike Club.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.n...08300913_n.jpg

Good point. I updated my profile. I'm surprised I didn't do that from day one. FTR: North side of Indianapolis, IN

Thanks for everyone suggestions.

Check to see if there are any cycling clubs in your area. Since you are looking at upgrading to CF, your options are more limited as good, trustworthy CF is hard to come by at a pawn shop, bike co-op, police auction etc. Even if you can find CF at one of those sources, you have no idea what it's been through.

The people who frequent A rides often have gone through a few bikes on their way to their current rides. Some will have an extra bike around that they will let go for a reasonable price (N-1 = N+better 1) and you at least have some idea of the history of the bike. Some clubs have e-newsletters or FB pages that you can posted a Wanted to Buy on.

MEC has an online gear swap ...
OutdoorGearSwap.com - Buy, sell, and swap your used outdoor gear, free of charge.- Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC). Free Shipping Available.

Maybe REI or others do as well?

And cycling clubs often have a similar thing on their websites.

Be sure and ask the LBS about last years models and closeouts that didn't sell. There are great deals on new leftovers to be had.

Good Will, and pawn shops.

Garage sales and estate sales.

At Garage sales you can quite often get a great deal on a fairly new bike. Most will be mountain bikes that were sold to baby boomers that thot biking was a great idea. So they bought one, and found out they were not comfortable to ride, got hung up, and then sold at the garage sale. They should have bought a recumbent.

In my area there's lots of cycling clubs and alot of cycling events both competition and just rides , I often see people bring bikes they want to sell for what ever reason , some have 3-4 good bikes,I think it must be that way everywhere , get in touch with people like that, you'll get a good deal on a bike and you can ride it first,,,,,

+1

These are all great options! :thumb:

Years ago I wanted a work bench but I didn't want to spend very much money. I told everybody I knew what I was looking for and one of my neighbors dropped off a steel boiler room bolted to 4X4 legs. That was over 45 years ago and I still have that work bench today.

Since that time whenever I want something and don't want to pay retail I just ask lots of people. It always works but sometimes it takes awhile.

If you can get there before a flipper gets to it.

Not my auction. Saw this, thought of this thread. If I was in the market for a 61 carbon...

eBay item: 121300612890

61cm 2005 Specialized Tarmac Pro Carbon Fiber Frame Frameset Bike Road Bike 60 | eBay

Also mass transist system auctions. You'd be surprised how many people leave their bikes on the bus and then don't bother to claim them.

You will have to be extraordinarily lucky to find a carbon frame bike at a garage sale or thrift store. I've found many a good bike at such places but never even seen a carbon frame bike for sale. You are looking at the top end of the market so it is not surprising that what you find on CL is expensive. I think some sellers are nuts with what they are asking for what is often custom built to fit them but expect a secondary buyer to pay nearly what they paid for it originally.

My Ten-Speeds has a huge section devoted to this pursuit.