Skip to main content

3 great reasons you should never buy a used mountain bike

Buying a new mountain bike over a used one is a safer option

Four used mountain bikes lined up
Travis Reill / The Manual

There are a lot of different things to consider when you are considering getting a mountain bike. For many, the decision will ultimately come down to price. 

To save money, some may buy an entry-level mountain bike with cheaper components, intending to upgrade those components. Others turn to classified ads to find a good deal on a used mountain bike.

Recommended Videos

And while a used mountain bike will be cheaper than a new one, you could end up paying more in the long run. 

A mountain bike with damage to the paint

Warranties

A quality mountain bike typically isn’t cheap. Depending on the build level (how nice the components that come on the frame) you are considering, a new mountain bike can be upwards of $10,000. 

Spending several thousand dollars on a mountain bike may be hard to swallow, but fortunately, your new bike will have a warranty. Mountain bike warranties cover any manufacturer defects that result in damage to the frame. 

But, as you may have guessed, the warranty that covers a bike is, in most cases, only applicable to the original owner. That means that if you don’t have receipts showing that you purchased the mountain bike, the frame manufacturer won’t warranty damages.

This very thing happened to a friend. A few weeks after purchasing a used bike, he was mountain biking when he noticed a creak coming from the bottom bracket. He took it apart and regreased it, but the noise continued. Upon taking it apart again, he found the origin of the noise—a small crack in the frame around the bottom bracket. 

Since he wasn’t the original buyer, the manufacturer, who admitted it was a defect, couldn’t do anything for him.

A set of used carbon fiber mountain bike wheels

Safety

My friend found that this crack in the bottom bracket housing was not caused by him. He had only purchased the mountain bike a few weeks before and noticed the sound on his first ride. The damage was from the original owner, who sold him the bike.

And the original owner was likely unaware the mountain bike was damaged at all. The only way my friend found out was after he took it apart twice and carefully inspected the area. Creaks, groans, and other noises aren’t uncommon on a mountain bike.

Luckily, the damage was found before it worsened and caused a crash. There are many different working parts on a mountain bike that could all have issues. These issues may result from one mountain biking excursion but not show themselves until another. 

Simply put, when you buy a used mountain bike, you are taking a stranger’s word that the bike is “fine”—and it may not be. You could be rolling the dice.

My Specialized Stumpjumper with Forge + Bond 30AM carbon wheels

Price

There was a time when rolling the dice on a used mountain bike may have been worth it. A year-old bike in your local classifieds might save you over a thousand dollars. And, for the most part, the bike was in good working order.

Fast-forward to 2024, and that savings are pretty negligible. Let me explain.

During the pandemic, mountain biking saw a boom. People looked for an activity to get involved with, and mountain biking seemed like a great option. Demand for mountain bikes went through the roof, so much so that manufacturers couldn’t keep up. 

With high demand, mountain bike manufacturers continued to pump out supply, trying to hit the numbers they saw. The problem was the demand eventually went away, leaving manufacturers stuck with tons of products.

And what happens when production is high but demand drops? That product goes on sale. 

Right now, the mountain bike industry is offering sales like never before. We’ve seen 40% off, buy-one-get-one, and even 60% off deals on mountain bikes. This means that a brand-new mountain bike may only be a few hundred bucks more than one on the used market. 

It’s probably a good idea when considering buying a mountain bike to spend a few hundred more to get a new bike.

Preparing to wash 2 mountain bikes

Used vs. new mountain bikes

Buying a used mountain bike comes with a set of risks. While you can inspect the bike and perhaps even take it for a test ride or two, there is a chance you might miss something. And the thing that you may have missed may be the thing that causes a catastrophic crash.

That crash could result in an expensive repair/replacement of a component. Or, you could also have the police show up at your door because the mountain bike you bought was stolen.

Buying a new mountain bike doesn’t have any of those risks involved. If a part is faulty, the manufacturer’s warranty will cover you. In many cases, if you purchase from a bike shop, the shop will have an additional warranty.

But, what it comes down to most is price. You buy a used mountain bike because you can save money. 

In 2024, save your money for another week or so and buy new.

Travis Reill
Hi! I'm Travis, a teacher turned stay-at-home dad turned freelance writer. Mountain biking is my passion. Fortunately, I've…
Looking to visit Acadia National Park? Here’s when you should go
You won't regret visiting this national park during these times of year
Jorden Pond at Acadia National Park

Located along the rugged coast of Maine, Acadia National Park spans much of Mount Desert Island and covers over 47,000 acres of shorelines, forests, meadows, and mountains. When you visit this national treasure, you'll encounter granite peaks with sweeping views of the Atlantic, which is sure to make your heart soar.

Acadia is open year-round and it's a popular place for all kinds of seasonal activities. The best time to visit Acadia National Park depends on your goals and preferences, so let's run through the options to see what best fits you and your fellow adventurers.
Acadia National Park in the fall

Read more
Great Smoky Mountains opens US 441 after Hurricane Helene (but here’s why you shouldn’t visit)
US 441 opens, but you might still want to reschedule your fall foliage trips.
Great Smoky Mountains in October

Fall is one of the most popular times of year to visit Great Smoky Mountain National Park. However, in the wake of Hurricane Helene, you may want to reconsider your trip. The Great Smoky Mountains and the surrounding areas are seeing record-breaking flooding and devastation. While the last of the storm might have fizzled on Monday, it will take time and resources to rebuild.

The National Park Service (NPS) is doing everything possible to open up roadways, including US 441, which is set to reopen on the morning of Wednesday, October 2. Even though some of the park is beginning to open up, outdoor recreation at Great Smoky Mountains National Park is discouraged. Most roads remain closed without an estimated reopen date, and trails are in terrible shape. The NPS reports a high potential for limited resources, downed trees, damaged power lines, flooded creeks, and hazardous trail conditions.

Read more
Science reveals which National Park you should visit for the best fall foliage
Go leaf peeping in these national parks
A spectacular view of Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park in fall

The change of seasons is upon us, which means it's time to start thinking about when and where to go to see the stunning colors this year! OnX, an outdoors tech company, is here to help. This brand is well known for off-roading, back country, and hunting map apps, which are trusted by millions nationwide. Now, they have made it easier to gauge leaf peeping prospects by utilizing their state-of-the-art satellites to measure the deciduous tree density in our favorite National Parks. Pack your gear and get ready to explore — here are the National Parks you shouldn’t miss this season.
OnX's top 9 National Parks for seeing fall colors this year

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina & Tennessee

Read more