Buying a Bike Online

1. Do a quick search of the bicycle that you want to buy.

If you have a bike in mind, a quick search of the brand and type of bike will show you most of the websites where it’s listed for sale. Get a good idea of the price for the bike, and see if there are any retailers near you that carry that model.

Look for retailers in your area who have brick-and-mortar stores as well as online purchase options. That way, you can test drive the bike at the store and then buy the bike you want online.

In some cases, you can purchase the bike online but have it shipped to a store to save on shipping costs.

2. Browse various websites for sales and deals on bikes.

Check out sites like eBay and Craigslist for used bikes. For new bikes, check out major retailers, like REI for mountain bikes, and brand websites.

eBay can be a reasonable choice for shoppers on a budget because you can place bids. Remember, you will likely have to pay for shipping if you buy from eBay, and that can be expensive. Be sure to check the seller’s feedback to make sure they’re reputable.

Craigslist allows you to pick up your bike locally, and you probably won't have to assemble it. This gives you the added benefit of potentially being able to sit on and test drive the bike before you buy.

Major brand and corporate websites will have plenty of stock, and can often offer more competitive prices for their bikes.

3. Use the chat feature to ask questions if the website has one.

Buying a bike online can involve a lot of guesswork, but there are still ways that you can ask questions to the seller. If you’re buying a used bike, use the eBay chat function, or send an email through Craigslist. For new bikes, look for the website’s customer service email or phone number.

Ask questions about the welds, frame, breaks, measurements, tires, chains, and anything else you can think of.

For used bikes, go out of your way to ask the seller if the bike has any body damage to the frame or if it has had repairs done previously. If you receive the bike and it’s damaged, you can use the messages as proof for filing a complaint with the website.

4. Order your bike and wait for it to arrive.

Some bikes will arrive partially assembled, while others will need complete assembly. If you’re getting it shipped to a store, they may assemble it for you, and you might be able to do a test drive before you leave with your purchase.