COMPONENT DAMAGE - WHAT ELSE???

There are a host of things to consider when inspecting a bicycle for component damage.  It will be difficult to envision all possible damage situations but it is not all that difficult to see damage that has occurred.  And the visible damage often times tells a very good story about the unseen damage.

The first place to measure a mechanic's understanding is the seat post clamp bolt.  This fastener is frequently damaged and damaged badly.  More often than not the bolt will be bent and the hex head nut will be rounded off.  If you find this situation, be prepared to deal with a stretched and/or distorted seat tube lug.

Rounded off nuts or bolt heads are a good indication of how a bicycle was maintained.  Rounded off fittings usually suggest a lack of maintenance understanding, on the part of the person who owned the bicycle.  These damaged fasteners could also suggest that the "would be" mechanic did not have the proper tools to do the job.  If there are obvious deficiencies such as this, question all other maintenance concerns.

Is the drive chain swimming in oil or is it dry as a bone?  Either, believe it or not, suggests a lack of proper maintenance understanding.  Dry as a bone is an obvious problem that is quickly reveals itself as a rusted drive chain.  If the chain, the easiest of all components to keep lubricated, is dry you must ask yourself if the wheel, bottom bracket and head set bearings are poorly lubricated also.  If not, they will all be shot!  But what if there is an abundance of lubricant flooding the chain?

This too suggest lack of understanding.  The extra lubricant attracts dirt and debris.  This debris mixes with the lubricant to form a wonderfully effective grinding compound that will wear out precious cog and ring teeth in short order.  This, once again, suggests lack of understanding on the part of the individual who maintained the bicycle.

Dirty wheel rims side walls also tells an interesting story.  If left dirty, they dirt will become imbedded in the brake pads, once again creating a pretty effective grinding tool.  The debris impregnated pads will cause the wheel rims to wear out very fast.  Again, a maintenance concern that should disqualify the previous owner's maintenance understanding.  And something to arouse your concern.

Will brake levers move when squeezed?  If not the cable were probably installed improperly once again suggesting a lack of maintenance understanding.  Do the brake pads properly line up with wheel rims?  Are wheel rims scratched or gouged through use of improper tire changing tools?  Are there flat spots on the wheel rims?  Are the wheels true?  Is the rear derailleur all scuffed up?  How about the pedals - are the ends in good shape or bad?  Is there a clamp on stand present?

This list of what is not right can go on and on.  The point is, take your time when evaluating a bicycle's condition.  Look to the frame set first, then the components.  Both will tell a pretty accurate story of how the bicycle was treated, assuming of course that you know how to read the bicycle's language.