16/09/2026
I’m a big fan of buying second-hand — when there’s actually value in it.
I’ll happily pick up a used bike myself if the price is right and I know I can service it, repair what needs repairing and end up with a good, safe and reliable bike. In fact, all of our kids currently ride second-hand mountain bikes that I’ve picked up for good prices and brought up to scratch. They’re looked after too — I service them after every second ride, so they’re kept in really good nick.
Where second-hand stops being a bargain is when the damage, wear and cost of repairs start outweighing what the bike is actually worth. Sometimes that cheap Facebook Marketplace find isn’t quite as cheap once you get it on the stand.
If you’re looking at buying a second-hand bike and you’re not sure what you’re looking at, I also offer pre-purchase inspections. Depending on my availability and where the bike is located, I can come out and inspect it before you hand over your money. Even if I can’t get there, shoot me through some decent photos and I may be able to spot a few things worth asking about.
**Pre-purchase inspections are a paid service, with pricing available on the Fenix Cycles & Mechanical website.
There are some bloody good second-hand bikes out there. You just want to make sure you’re actually buying one of them.