Deciding between a new or used stationary bike may come down to your budget and your expectations for the equipment. If you plan on making a stationary bike the centerpiece of your new fitness program and will be on it for an hour or more most days, you may want to look for a new bike or at least a little-used bike with a previous owner. If your approach is more casual or less intense and the used bike you're considering feels good, looks good and sounds good, then save your pennies and pick a previously ridden model.
Considerations
When deciding between new and used stationary bikes, one of the most obvious factors to consider is price. Used bikes are obviously going to be less expensive than new bikes, but do your research to find out what a new bike costs and whether a used bike you're considering is really a good deal. Physical therapist Charles O'Neill, PTS, notes in a SelfGrowth.com article that stationary bikes tend to be available new in three price ranges: $500 or under, $500 to $1,000, or $1,000 and over. He suggests that high-quality bikes are available in that middle category, but that the lower-end bikes may prove to be good bargains, especially if you don't plan on using the bike extensively.
Upright or Recumbent
Recumbent bicycles have a more chair-like seat and allow you to stretch your legs out, as opposed to the standard upright bikes that have you pedaling up and down, rather than back and forth. Stationary bikes come in both upright and recumbent varieties, so investigate what type you want before you make a new or used purchase. If you're going to do a lot of "riding" on your stationary bike, you may want a recumbent bike, which is more comfortable after a long period of pedaling.
When Buying Used Bikes
Whether it's a pre-owned stationary bike or any piece of used exercise equipment, you should always try it out before buying anything. A store such as Play it Again Sports checks out all used equipment before putting it out on the floor for sale, but someone at a garage sale may not be that thorough or interested in offering top quality merchandise. Stores that sell used equipment may have a return policy that will allow you more time to try the bike out before you decide whether to keep it. Used sports equipment stores also deal in items that are new but discontinued, often at a lower cost to the consumer.
Warnings
When considering any used bike purchase, be sure to ride it for a while and listen for abnormal sounds and look for signs of excessive wear, dents or rust. You should also look for brand names that may be of more lasting quality than a cheaper bike manufactured by an unknown company without a reputation to stand behind. The same is true for new bikes, and if you plan on using the bike a lot, consider a warranty that will help cover some wear-and-tear usage.
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