One way in which BMX riders may try and secure a cheap BMX bike is to buy one second-hand. However, whilst buying second-hand may occasionally land the buyer with a bargain, there are many potential pitfalls of going down the second-hand route.

Firstly, second-hand BMX bikes may often be in a highly well-used state, and a new buyer will have to check very carefully for any cracks or other signs of damage likely to have occurred. Failure to spot these signs could result in a serious accident when riding.

If, on the other hand, a second-hand bike appears to be in a relatively unused state it may still perform less effectively. This is because some of its features may pre-date new developments in, say, frame construction, or because the previous owner has installed parts that are unsuitable for their bike. New parts can of course be fitted, but paying for these could begin to outweigh the cost benefits of buying second-hand.

Finally, it may be difficult for the buyer, particularly if relatively new to BMX, to identify the discipline for which the second-hand bike is best suited. To the uninitiated, subtle differences in areas such as frame geometry, for example, may not be appreciated. It could be, for example, that what appears to be a trail, or dirt jump, bike, to be used for performing off-road leaps and bounds, is in fact a street bike, designed for highly controlled riding over ramps and railings. Whilst this case of mistaken identity might not matter too much at entry level, it could hamper further development of the rider’s ability.

The good news is that it is possible to buy a good quality cheap BMX from new; it all hinges on knowing where to look. At bmx.co.uk for example we stock a range of quality BMX bikes and can match any other online price.