Buying a Used Cargo Bike
Used cargo bikes pop up for sale from time to time. If you happen to find one that you are interested in buying, we hope these ideas will steer you safely to a happy purchase.
Tips and Ideas
Rather than try to tell you how to find a used cargo bike (FB marketplace, Craigslist, eBay, etc), I would like to tell you the best ways to ensure you get what you are after. You are most likely after: Saving money, saving time, reducing waste in the world.
Hopefully, this helps you to not get a bad deal on a great idea.
Meet at a Bike Shop
Please call ahead to confirm that this will work for the shop…
Explain to the bike shop something like the following: “I am wondering if I can pay you to look over a cargo bike that I am considering buying. I would like to have one of your technicians look over the cargo bike in front of the seller and myself. And I would like to know what it needs to be safe and fully functional.”
By meeting your seller at a bike shop several amazing things will happen:
- The seller will be less likely to show up with a stolen cargo bike
- The bike shop technician quotes what needs to be repaired or replaced
- You can negotiate that fee
- You are well informed about what needs to be done to the cargo bike
- You have a safe space to meet
- You can (and probably should) get the shop to do the necessary repairs before you take it home!
This is absolutely the best way to make sure you get something safe and reliable. At my shop, we did this for lots of people. I would explain to both the seller and buyer that there was no advantage for me to go higher or lower on what needed to be done. It seemed to work really well.
If the Bike Shop is not an Option
I have also been the guy that went with others to meet a seller. If you can find a person who is well versed in bicycles in general, you will come out ahead. It is harder to negotiate the price for repairs, since you brought the expert with you and they should be biased.
Just like a regular bike, a cargo bike should be:
- Quiet to ride
- No jarring clunks
- No loud shrieks
- No squeaky drivetrain
- Stable
- If things FEEL lose, they most likely are
- If you cannot steer safely, keep looking for a different cargo bike
Additionally, you will be checking:
- Cargo Area
- Is the wood/plastic/foam in good condition
- Are are the safety harnesses in good working order
- Is the box or platform attached properly
If you cannot meet at a bike shop and you do not have a bike expert friend, you may or may not be in for unpleasant surprises.
Budget
Just like with a new cargo bike, your budget should consider several additional expenses. So let’s look at the basic budget considerations.
Cargo Bike: $TBD
Parts that wear out often (and a range of the price):
- Chains ($20-80)
- Tires ($20-100 per)
- Grips ($10-50)
Necessary Accessories:
- Rain Canopy
- Cover/Tarp for Storage
- Lights
- Lock(s)
Labor
- If you aren’t comfortable doing your own repairs, you will most likely be spending a little of your budget to adjust brakes, shifting, steering, etc
Look at your new (used) cargo bike and be honest with yourself about your knowledge and budget and you will be off and riding in no time.