What are the top 3 things to look out for when buying a used bike?

jasper Arrange to take the bike to a local bike shop. Make sure it is the proper size frame. Look at the frame that there are no dents and major nicks (signs of an accident). Look at the rims. See that they spin true and normal. Look at the gears and cassette ... are the points nice and well shaped... no chips or breaks. The truth comes down to the test ride. Soccerref

well you for now you will have to get ripped off so you can get experience not get ripped off next time that's a best learning method :P

I'd check to make sure there are no cracks (especially in carbon fiber parts), that the chain and gears move smoothly and that there is no rust.

1) Make sure that the brakes are working!!! 2) Make sure the tires have no holes!!! 3) Make sure the frame is sturdy!!!

Take it on a test ride for a while - more than just around the block. Shift through the all gears as you go. Spend some time in each gear. Try to find a hill and go up it - select the gear that is most comfortable as you do. Test out the brakes. Check the frame for cracks or rust (aluminum doesn't rust so this only applies to steel). Run your hands down teh tubes of the frame to check for indentations to make sure it hasn't been in a crash. Check where the frame comes together (at teh lugs or welds) and make sure there are no cracks there either. Make sure the fork is straight. Spin the wheels and check if the tires are true. Many other things to check so take a look at this link - it covers it: http://www.usedbicycleguide.com/Bicycle%20Inspection.html best of luck

Okay. You say you have no knowledge of biking. So pretty much, any advice to the mechanical end probably won't help much. That leaves cosmetic. If it looks to you like it's nearly new, then at least it has been cared for. Look for sand around the chain area, and shifting mechanism. You can see if the wheels are straight, and the tires have air in them. You are concerned with the buyer. He is on eBay.... check his feedback, and how long he has been on eBay. You say you are going to his house. Meaning you know where he lives. You can always call the police and ask if anyone has reported that type of bike stolen... Those are three things that come to my mind... Good luck, hope it works out for you..

fraudulent means you think it;s stolen? can;t help you there fit is the main thing otherwise does it fit you? most people don;t really ride bikes enough to wear things out just make sure everything works the wheels spin true and round shifters work in all gears if it is old there may be problems you can;t discover rusted seat posts, bearings, shocks stuck stems no one ever takes that stuff apart just look for evidence of rust or mistreatment externally bolts chain gears wheels anything chrome should have no rust =most common problem is really, ignorant sellers if you don;t know anything and they don;t know anything, well you see the problem == wle

You want a shop quality bike that is designed for the type of riding you want to do. Don't buy a mountain bike to commute with. You need to know if the bike is the correct size. Take a test ride and make sure it fits and everything works. Lastly make sure you know the value of the bike you want to buy. Do a search for prices on the same used bike. If they have you meet them at the mall or some other place other then their home that is a red flag. Take some one along that knows something about bikes.