How to Buy and Sell a Used Mountain Bike (Without Getting Burned)

How we do it, what to look for, and how to ship it without the headache

Used bikes are a massive part of mountain biking. They get more people riding, keep good gear in circulation, and let bikes live way more than one life. Half the bikes we see ripping down Rude Rock or popping off lips in the Bike Park have had a previous owner, and that’s exactly how it should be.

Whether you’re buying your first proper mountain bike, upgrading from an old faithful, or selling a rig that’s done its time, here’s how here’s how to keep the stoke high and the surprises low.

How to Purchase a Used Bike (Without Getting Burned)

Bring It To Us - Seriously

If you’re buying a used bike in Queenstown, the best move you can make is getting the seller to drop it into Bikeaholic before money changes hands.

We’ll inspect the bike for free.
No catch. No upsell. No pressure.

It takes about 15-20 minutes, and we’ll give it a proper once over:

• Suspension
  

• Bearings
  

• Brakes
  

• Drivetrain
  

• General wear and tear
  
  

What we don’t do is tell you what the bike is worth or how much you should pay. That’s between you and the seller. What we will do is say something like:

“Hey, this bike’s riding sweet now, but in the next 12 months you’ll probably need to spend about X to keep it running well.”

That info is gold. You can factor it into the price and decide if the deal still stacks up. Way better than finding out three weeks later halfway through a Fernhill lap.

Can’t Bring the Bike In? Here’s What to Look For

Not everyone can get a bike into the shop - fair enough, Queenstown isn’t exactly around the corner for everyone. If you’re checking it yourself, here are the big ticket items we’d be looking at.

Suspension

Ask when it was last serviced.

• If it hasn’t been serviced in the last year, it’s due.
  

• If the seller “can’t remember”… it’s due.
  
  

Suspension servicing isn’t optional if you want the bike to feel good under you, a tired fork or shock will suck the fun out of any ride pretty quickly.

Another check you can do yourself is grab the bike by the frame and gently wiggle the back wheel side to side. 

• If you feel knocking or movement, the rear suspension pivot bearings are probably worn.

• Not the end of the world, it’s totally fixable, but something to factor in when you’re working out the overall cost of the bike.

Brake Pads & Rotors

Have a proper look:

• Is there actually brake pad material left?
  

• Are the rotors straight?
  
  

Bent rotors often mean new rotors and pads together, and that adds up quicker than most people expect.

Bearings

Lift the bike up, spin each wheel, and gently rest a finger on the axle.

• Smooth and quiet? Happy days.
  

• Rumbly or crunchy? Bearings are on the way out.
  
  

Word of caution: Bearings should be crunchy free. Fingers should be too.

Do this front and back.

Drivetrain

If you’ve got access to a chain checker, use it.

• Under 0.5: still some life left.
  

• At 1: you’re likely looking at a full drivetrain soon.
  
  

Chains, cassettes, and chainrings get expensive fast - especially on modern setups - so don’t ignore this one.

Selling a Used Bike the Bikeaholic Way

When we help sell a used bike, it’s not about hype or shiny photos,  it’s about trust. 

We:

• Check the bike properly
  

• Are honest about condition
  

• Flag upcoming maintenance
  

• Talk rider-to-rider with buyers
  
  

A used bike shouldn’t come with surprises. If it’s going to need money spent soon, that should be part of the conversation from day one.

That’s how you keep the used market healthy and the stoke high.

How to Ship Your Bike When You Sell It

Shipping bikes around NZ is way more common than people think and honestly, it’s pretty easy when done right.

Freight Costs (Rough Guide)

• South Island freight: around $85
  

• South → North Island freight: around $140
  
  

E-bikes are a different beast because of batteries (dangerous goods)

• E-bike to North Island: around $450
  

• E-bike within South Island: around $220 
  
  

Prices can change, but that gives you a ballpark.

How We Can Help

You’ve got a couple of options:

• Bring the bike in and we’ll box it and ship it
  

• Box it yourself and bring it in - we’ll handle the shipping
  
  

If you’ve got a bike box, even better. If not, chat to us, we usually have options. We’ll ship to any address and give you a tracking number. No dramas.

A Quick Word on Warranties (This One’s Important)

The Warranty word gets thrown around a lot in used bike listings, and it’s often misunderstood.

Generally speaking:

• Most brands only offer warranty to the original owner
  

• That warranty is not transferable
  
  

However, there are exceptions.

Specialized (Worth Knowing)

Specialized offer a frame warranty to the second owner up to the two year mark.
So:

• If the bike is one year old, you’ll still have one year of frame warranty
  

• The bike can be transferred into your name
  
  

Some other brands may offer similar arrangements, it’s always worth checking before you buy.

Just be mindful when sellers say “still under warranty”. That may apply to them, not necessarily to you.

Before You Pedal Off…

Whether you’re buying, selling, or just curious, swing by the shop or drop us a message. We’re riders first, mechanics second, and professional overthinkers the rest of the time.

Because it’s not just about selling bikes, it’s about making more Bikeaholics 🤘