So you want to buy a mountain bike off craigslist.

You came to the right place.

As an avid mountain biker, I have bought 15+ mountain bikes from craigslist.

Today I’m going to cover how to buy a bike from Craigslist. At the end of this article, you’ll understand how to search for the right bike, determine the bike’s condition, and negotiate a price.

How to Buy a Used Mountain Bike Off Craigslist

Step 1) Determine What Type of Bike You Want

If you're new to mountain biking a hard tail is a good place to start.
If you’re new to mountain biking a hard tail is a good place to start.

The first thing you need to do is determine what type of bike you want to buy.

Do you want a full suspension bike or a hardtail? An enduro bike or a cross-country bike?

Take some time to think about what type of riding you do and what bike will suit you best. If you are new to the sport, here are some good guides to help you determine which bike is right for you.

Bike Buying Resources:

Step 2) Set Your Price

Cheap and Expensive Used Mountain Bike off Craigslist
Cheap and Expensive Mountain Bike.

Next, set your price.

You want to have a price set going into your search. Having a price in mind will help eliminate choices and give you a starting point for negotiations.

This is totally personal. 

However, more expensive bikes typically have nice parts that will need less maintenance. They’ve also probably been taken care of better. However, I don’t recommend purchasing bikes over 5K used. If you’re going to spend that much money, buy it new, and get a warranty.

Cheaper bikes typically have more inexpensive components that need more maintenance. And there is a chance that they haven’t been thoroughly taken care of.

Later in this article, we’ll talk about how to identify the condition of a bike.

(New to riding mountain bikes? Here’s what you need to wear the next time you hit the trails.)

Step 3) Go to Your Local Craigslist Site and Search for Bikes

Craigslist bike for sale category.
Craigslist bike for sale category.

Step three, go to your local Craigslist site. Then under the “For Sale” section, scroll down to bikes.

Now search through the bikes and look for the type of bike you want within your price range.

It can be helpful to set a price minimum and maximum. 

You can also search for the make and model if you’re looking for a specific bike.

Step 4) Narrow Down the Field 

Spend some time looking for the right bike.
Spend some time looking for the right bike.

Now narrow down the field. Pick three to five bikes you like. 

Either bookmark the page or copy the post’s URL and put it in a note document. This will make it easier to reference going forward.

Step 5) Look at the Condition

Used mountain bike with cosmetic damage on the brakes.
This is an example of very bad cosmetic damage on the brakes.

Step five is to look at the condition. Look carefully at the bikes you’re interested in and look for wear and tear. 

There are bound to be cosmetic scratches. Most of the time these are ok, but look for red flags. Red flags include: 

  • any scratches on suspension stanchions 
  • any deep scratches or nicks in the frame that could compromise structural integrity 
  • excess damage to the drive train
  • dents in the wheel
  • excessive brake damage

Feel free to contact the seller and ask for more photos if needed.

Also, look at the description. Look for signs of maintenance. You want to see that the drivetrain and brakes have been serviced within a couple of months. Also you want to see that the suspension has been serviced at least once a year. Don’t buy a bike if the suspension has never been serviced, unless it’s under a year old.

If no maintenance details are included feel free to text the seller and ask these questions.

Step 6) Do the Research

Bike Blue Book is a great resource for determining value.
Bike Blue Book is a great resource for determining value.

Now it’s time to do the research.

First, I recommend that you search for the bike on the manufacturer’s website. Look for the same component spec and model year. If you can’t find it right away or if it’s an older bike, look for the bike archive on the website. Then note the price and all of the components that come stock on the bike.

Now compare the component list of the stock bike to the bike that is for sale. It’s common to see different tires, bars, pedals, seats, and seat posts. But look for any noticeable changes.

Then head over to bicyclebluebook.com. Search for the same bike on the value guide. Match up the year and model. Then select the condition that accurately represents the bike. The Blue Book estimate will give you a good estimate of a fair price for a used mountain bike off craigslist.

Step 7) Negotiate

Having cash in hand helps with a negotiation.
Having cash in hand helps with a negotiation.

Now it’s time for the fun part, negotiation.

Since you have your budget and you know what the bike is worth, you’ll have a good idea of how much you’re willing to pay.

I am by no means an expert negotiator, but I have read the book Never Split the Difference. A good read if you want to learn more about negotiating. Here are the high-level takeaways from the book.

A tactic from the book I always use is anchor low.

First, reach out with some texts or emails asking about the condition of the bike. Communication before an offer establishes that you’re not a scammer and a legitimate person interested in the bike.

Then send a message and include something along the lines of “ I understand it is way below your asking price but would you be open to…” and insert your price.

Offer a price that is at least 500 below asking. The words “would you be open to” and “I understand it’s below your asking price.” Will soften the blow of this low offer. 

From there, negotiate back-and-forth. I always recommend giving it a couple of days before deciding on a firm price. You can incentivize your offer by offering to pick it up, pay with cash, or move very quickly if you like the price.

Step 8) Set a Time and Meeting Location

I always recommend buying a bike in a public space.
I always recommend buying a bike in a public space. Store parking lots are a great option.

Once you have agreed upon a price, set a time and a location. 

Be very clear and reiterate the details. I always recommend meeting in a public place if possible.

That way, if something goes wrong, you are surrounded by a bunch of people that could help you out. Also, I recommend meeting in the daylight.

Most people are good and honest, but this reduces risk.

Step 9) Go Buy the Bike and Double Check

If needed you can have a bike mechanic check the condition of the bike before you buy it.
If needed you can have a bike mechanic check the condition before you buy a used mountain bike off craigslist.

Now buy the bike.

To be safe, it’s always worth bringing someone else with you.

Further, I recommend always paying in cash or with a cashier’s check. While Venmo and Zelle make life easy, I don’t want to run the risk of a malfunction.

If you want to cover all of your bases, you can use a bill of sale. It’s a simple way to document the purchase. If something goes wrong and you were to end up in court, you have documentation to support your case. Again this is very extreme, but if you’re forking out of a lot of money, it might be worth covering your butt.

Over-communicate about the details of meeting up. The last thing you want is the seller to be half an hour late, and now you’re stuck waiting.

Lastly, and the most important step is to double-check the bike. Ride it around, shift all the gears, use the dropper post, and look at the suspension. Make sure it is in the exact condition that you expected. You are not obligated to buy the bike. If you show up and you don’t like what you see, tell the seller I’m sorry it’s not as advertised, continue your search. It is much better to go home and continue the hunt than buy a bike you’re not happy with.

Go Ride Your Bike

Hopefully this guide has given you some information to make buying a used mountain bike off craigslist a little easier. If have any questions feel free to reach out!

I'm Sean. Owner of MTBS&F and self-proclaimed ski/bike bum. Catch me on the trails on the weekends and working out during the week.

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