Simpson’s Bikes · Bideford, North Devon
Second-hand bike advice
What to check before you buy one, what size you need, and where to ride it around North Devon. Written by Moses, who buys and checks second-hand bikes every week.
Featured
Featured
What we do to every bike before we sell it
Every bike is cleaned, serviced, checked and ridden before it is sold. What that involves, and why we say plainly that a used bike is not as good as new.
Moses4 min read
Recent posts
What size bike do I need?
There is no standard. Medium means anywhere from 163 to 183 cm depending on the brand, and a 19 inch frame suits a 163 cm rider or a 195 cm one.
MosesHow to buy a second-hand bike without getting stung
Check the frame number free on BikeRegister, meet at the seller's own address, and pay by a route you can trace. If a bike turns out to be stolen, you lose it.
MosesWhat to do with an old bike you don't use
Taking it to the tip is free and takes a day. Having the council collect it costs about £30 and takes weeks. Here are all the options, including the ones that pay you.
MosesAre cheap second-hand bikes safe?
Price and safety are different things. A cracked frame is the only fault you cannot put right. What UK law requires, and the rights you get buying from a business.
MosesGetting a child's first bike without spending a fortune
A first bike is outgrown, not worn out. Weight matters more than anything except size, and a first bike needs no gears and no suspension.
MosesWhere to ride a bike around Bideford
The Tarka Trail runs through Bideford: just over 30 miles of flat, traffic-free former railway. Where to join it, how far you can go, and what bike you need.
MosesMountain bike, hybrid or road bike: which do you actually need?
Rough ground means a mountain bike, fast tarmac a road bike, and everything in between a hybrid. Decide by where you will actually ride, not where you would like to.
MosesWhat size bike does my child need?
Measure the inside leg, not the age. 12in wheels suit 35 to 42cm, 16in suits 45 to 55cm, 20in suits 55 to 63cm, and 24in suits 60 to 72cm.
MosesWhat to check before you buy a used bike
Six checks that take ten minutes: wheels, brakes, chain, frame, tyres and fit. Only one of them, a cracked frame, is a reason to walk away.
Moses
Looking for a bike?
Every bike we sell is checked over and ready to ride, and you can try it before you pay a penny.