What to Look for in a Used Bike

Image Gallery Forget gas, go green and get a bike. You'll save money, reduce your carbon footprint, get in shape, zip through traffic and get great parking spots. Istock Photo/Mike Clarke

Bicycles make great "green" transportation. Riding a bike produces no pollution, consumes no fossil fuel, and even helps you stay in shape. As an added bonus, bikes get some of the best parking places on the planet. (That's because you can park your bike almost anywhere. Yes, it's a dream come true!)

And if you're looking for basic transportation, a secondhand bicycle can be a smart choice. While you could pay hundreds of dollars for a high-quality new bike, you can get a great used bicycle for $30 or $40, and if you're lucky, for much less money — maybe even for free.

Previously owned bicycles are relatively easy to find, so don't take the first one you see. Instead, try these tips for finding a bike that's reliable and inexpensive:

Keep your eyes open. A few good places to look for secondhand bikes are Craigslist, thrift stores, police auctions, garage sales and Freecycle — roughly in that order. In particular, college towns are great sources for quality secondhand bikes because so many students have bicycles.

Research the brand. Some bikes are built so cheaply, they're really intended to be replaced rather than repaired. How can you tell? The easiest way is to spend a few minutes researching the brand online whenever you find a promising bike. Not only does this quick research help you avoid cheaply made bikes, you may also identify unbelievable deals. Many secondhand bicycles are sold at prices much lower than what they're worth.

Look for major problems. Some bike problems can be repaired, others can't. In general, the main thing you want to avoid is bent metal. Look to be sure the frame, forks and wheels are all in good shape. A little rust isn't a major concern, especially if it's just on the chain, but you can use it to bargain for a better price.

Consider your needs. If the bike is for basic road transportation, you don't need a mountain bike, and you probably won't want one — a bike with studded-style tires will just take more energy to pedal.