Riding a bike is a great green way to zip from place to place, without contributing to pollution or consuming any fossil fuel, or worrying about parking. Bonus: You get to stay in shape.
Want to make your two-wheeled ride even greener? Try hopping on a secondhand bike, a clever move that will not only save the planet some resources, but is also likely to save you some valuable dough.
If you want to make sure you score a quality bike that's reliable and inexpensive, read on for some of Mother Earth News' great tips on what to for in a secondhand steed:
1. Keep your eyes open: To hone in on the secondhand bike of your dreams, try Craig's List, thrift stores, police auctions, garage sales, and Freecycle. College towns are also great sources for quality secondhand goods.
2. Research the brand: A few minutes researching the brand online whenever you find a potential candidate not only helps you avoid cheaply made lemons, but may also enable you to recognize a steal when you encounter one.
3. Look for major problems: Some bike problems can be repairedother's can't. Mother Earth News says that the main thing you want to avoid is bent metal, so be sure to examine the frame, forks, and wheels to make sure they're in good shape. A little rust isn't a big deal, but you can use it to bargain for a better price.
4. Consider your needs: If you're looking for a bike for basic road transportation, you don't need a mountain bikeall those studded-style tires will just take more energy to pedal, anyway.
::Mother Earth News
http://planetgreen.discovery.com/tech-transport/buy-a-used-bike.html
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