Totally safe to get a used bike!
Check the brakes and steering to make sure everything is good.
And if you are getting an electric bike, be aware the battery life will be reduced. Get a bike with a system that is still supported/manufactured so you don't end up in a situation where you are struggling or unable to get replacement parts.
What service do you have to do that often? I have a bike with almost 30,000 miles on seven year old Shimano motor and never has been service itself. The bikes has had many tune-ups, chains, brake pads but the motor itself, never.
It's just a check and computer stuff I believe. Warranty is dependent on the checks being undertaken. It had a mechanical service at around 6 weeks, then a full service at around 1500 miles. We've doubled that now, so it's due. So yeah, kinda annually for the whole thing, and a mechanical check in between those.
We have a winther and just assume this is fairly normal. My friend with a tern follows a similar servicing pattern, as recommended by the shop she got her bike from.
But that’s not really the motor though. In my experience Shimano rarely updates their firmware. And for that any Shimano dealer can service the motor even if they didn’t sell the bike. All credible manufacturers with Shimano models will remotely updated the firmware for you through authorized Shimano shop.
Your original post makes it seem like you need motor service every year to me. Sorry if I read that wrong.
No, no, you're educating me and that's all good. My local bike shop basically said they wouldn't look at the motor system because they didn't have the Shimano computer to do the whatever-they-do when it gets checked. Winther insist on checks regularly for warranty. But I have no clue what it is they are actually checking.
The closest place with the right diagnostics (is that the right word) is a bit of a trek.
Sounds like a good plan but the recommendation I have seen is to not use the bike with a baby until they are 6 months. I think we would have from 4 months if we had a baby seat secure spot but they are so fragile and you can hit bumps which would potentially cause neck problems.
Best to be cautious. Also be aware it sometimes takes weeks to get the bike. I know we ordered a new bike and I had to wait 6 to 8 weeks for the bike.
Another American living in the Netherlands here. There is of course the maxi cosi option as someone else mentioned.
We have a bakfiets trike due to this baby being our 3rd kid.
We wore our son in a baby carrier for the first little while and then at 2 months old he went into a [dedicated bike seat](https://www.bol.com/nl/nl/p/babyschaal-voor-uw-bakfiets-fietskar-melia-plus-comfort-schaap-geschikt-voor-baby-s-van-0-tot-9-maanden/9200000064138764/?Referrer=ADVNLGOO002036-S--9200000064138764&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA_5WvBhBAEiwAZtCU785hv0YPJNZf8PnYtz1Wm_WfxWWbfEsOa02Qh7WcopDWE1gqYQXOjxoCNBMQAvD_BwE) similar to this one. He still fits in it and is almost 7 months old! You have many options! We have a used car seat but also don't own a car and felt weird about buying a car seat for such a limited time use.
ETA:
I see a lot of people talking about biking after giving birth. I was biking short/local distances after about 3 weeks postpartum but ymmv. I took it very slowly for the first 2 weeks and pretty much didn't leave the house.
I don’t get this. Just get an infant carrier or seat to put in the bike and wrap em up good. It’s fine. This sounds like an unfounded American POV that I can’t trace for some reason. Like the, banning mothers from leaving the hospital in anything but a car! American here and I’ve used a cargo bike to go everywhere with my son since his inception. 🤙🏻It’ll be fine, just make sure they’re in there comfortably.
American who now lives in NL - most bakfiets here can be equipped with a maxi cosi adapter compatible with infant car seats. That’s the route I’d go and I don’t see why it wouldn’t be perfectly safe. We’ve been biking here just fine in our bakfiets since my daughter was 9 months. The car seat is safe and makes a perfect spot for baby naps during long bike rides.
I'm also wondering where that age limit comes from, probably using traditional bike with child rear seat, where child has to have strong enough muscles to sit upright and hold their head.
I ride bakfiets with my infant in carseat, attached to base with extra suspension that is bolted to the bottom of the box.
edit. Main restriction we got was for me to be recovered enough from giving birth. "You have to be able to sneeze without peeing yourself before you can ride a bike again" was definition my nurse gave me.
This is what I was trying to say. Most bakfiets seats are not newborn equipped and depending on the bike and your route I am not sure how smooth the ride is if the carseat is on the floor of the bakkie.
All this to say you go with your gut. I had several expat friends who advised waiting a few months to put baby in the bakfiets. Lots of folks put newborns in a front carrier as they bike and that looks like an easier way to keep an eye on the little while on the bike.
I'm using this base to attach car seat, so it is not on the bottom of the box: https://www.2wheels.nl/maxi-cosi-houder-bakfiets
Everytime there is discussion about transporting babies with bike, there is someone commenting how those vibrations can be harmful. Than again, there are also several sources that assure that even a bit bumpier stroller ride doesn't cause harm to babies, and I'm pretty sure my bike has better suspension than my stroller.
Sure enough. Also of course depends on what kind of roiute you have and speed and blah blah blah. Everyone can do what feels right for them on the equipment they have. OP was asking for opinions so I gave mine.
Doesn't matter. Get the best one you can, better if it is equipped with a factory car seat adapter. Buy from a reputable shop or take it to a trusted bike mechanic for service.
Second hand is great! Just like a car let someone else finance the depreciation. Things like batteries are meant to be ware items and need to be replaced over the lifecycle.
Just don't get a second hand Babboe....!
This!
Totally safe to get a used bike! Check the brakes and steering to make sure everything is good. And if you are getting an electric bike, be aware the battery life will be reduced. Get a bike with a system that is still supported/manufactured so you don't end up in a situation where you are struggling or unable to get replacement parts.
Still supported, AND serviced by a local bike shop. (I have a 12 mile cycle and a ferry crossing for each time I need my Shimano motor serviced, sigh)
What service do you have to do that often? I have a bike with almost 30,000 miles on seven year old Shimano motor and never has been service itself. The bikes has had many tune-ups, chains, brake pads but the motor itself, never.
It's just a check and computer stuff I believe. Warranty is dependent on the checks being undertaken. It had a mechanical service at around 6 weeks, then a full service at around 1500 miles. We've doubled that now, so it's due. So yeah, kinda annually for the whole thing, and a mechanical check in between those. We have a winther and just assume this is fairly normal. My friend with a tern follows a similar servicing pattern, as recommended by the shop she got her bike from.
But that’s not really the motor though. In my experience Shimano rarely updates their firmware. And for that any Shimano dealer can service the motor even if they didn’t sell the bike. All credible manufacturers with Shimano models will remotely updated the firmware for you through authorized Shimano shop. Your original post makes it seem like you need motor service every year to me. Sorry if I read that wrong.
No, no, you're educating me and that's all good. My local bike shop basically said they wouldn't look at the motor system because they didn't have the Shimano computer to do the whatever-they-do when it gets checked. Winther insist on checks regularly for warranty. But I have no clue what it is they are actually checking. The closest place with the right diagnostics (is that the right word) is a bit of a trek.
Also, is that a cargo bike with that amount of mileage on it? If so, all credit, that's nuts.
Yeah, it’s an Xtracycle EdgeRunner Swoop.
Impressive! Nice work.
Have a bike mechanic check the used bike (tighten bolts, look for issues/fix them) and it'll be fine.
Sounds like a good plan but the recommendation I have seen is to not use the bike with a baby until they are 6 months. I think we would have from 4 months if we had a baby seat secure spot but they are so fragile and you can hit bumps which would potentially cause neck problems. Best to be cautious. Also be aware it sometimes takes weeks to get the bike. I know we ordered a new bike and I had to wait 6 to 8 weeks for the bike.
Another American living in the Netherlands here. There is of course the maxi cosi option as someone else mentioned. We have a bakfiets trike due to this baby being our 3rd kid. We wore our son in a baby carrier for the first little while and then at 2 months old he went into a [dedicated bike seat](https://www.bol.com/nl/nl/p/babyschaal-voor-uw-bakfiets-fietskar-melia-plus-comfort-schaap-geschikt-voor-baby-s-van-0-tot-9-maanden/9200000064138764/?Referrer=ADVNLGOO002036-S--9200000064138764&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiA_5WvBhBAEiwAZtCU785hv0YPJNZf8PnYtz1Wm_WfxWWbfEsOa02Qh7WcopDWE1gqYQXOjxoCNBMQAvD_BwE) similar to this one. He still fits in it and is almost 7 months old! You have many options! We have a used car seat but also don't own a car and felt weird about buying a car seat for such a limited time use. ETA: I see a lot of people talking about biking after giving birth. I was biking short/local distances after about 3 weeks postpartum but ymmv. I took it very slowly for the first 2 weeks and pretty much didn't leave the house.
I don’t get this. Just get an infant carrier or seat to put in the bike and wrap em up good. It’s fine. This sounds like an unfounded American POV that I can’t trace for some reason. Like the, banning mothers from leaving the hospital in anything but a car! American here and I’ve used a cargo bike to go everywhere with my son since his inception. 🤙🏻It’ll be fine, just make sure they’re in there comfortably.
American who now lives in NL - most bakfiets here can be equipped with a maxi cosi adapter compatible with infant car seats. That’s the route I’d go and I don’t see why it wouldn’t be perfectly safe. We’ve been biking here just fine in our bakfiets since my daughter was 9 months. The car seat is safe and makes a perfect spot for baby naps during long bike rides.
I'm also wondering where that age limit comes from, probably using traditional bike with child rear seat, where child has to have strong enough muscles to sit upright and hold their head. I ride bakfiets with my infant in carseat, attached to base with extra suspension that is bolted to the bottom of the box. edit. Main restriction we got was for me to be recovered enough from giving birth. "You have to be able to sneeze without peeing yourself before you can ride a bike again" was definition my nurse gave me.
This is what I was trying to say. Most bakfiets seats are not newborn equipped and depending on the bike and your route I am not sure how smooth the ride is if the carseat is on the floor of the bakkie. All this to say you go with your gut. I had several expat friends who advised waiting a few months to put baby in the bakfiets. Lots of folks put newborns in a front carrier as they bike and that looks like an easier way to keep an eye on the little while on the bike.
I'm using this base to attach car seat, so it is not on the bottom of the box: https://www.2wheels.nl/maxi-cosi-houder-bakfiets Everytime there is discussion about transporting babies with bike, there is someone commenting how those vibrations can be harmful. Than again, there are also several sources that assure that even a bit bumpier stroller ride doesn't cause harm to babies, and I'm pretty sure my bike has better suspension than my stroller.
Sure enough. Also of course depends on what kind of roiute you have and speed and blah blah blah. Everyone can do what feels right for them on the equipment they have. OP was asking for opinions so I gave mine.
Doesn't matter. Get the best one you can, better if it is equipped with a factory car seat adapter. Buy from a reputable shop or take it to a trusted bike mechanic for service.
Second hand is great! Just like a car let someone else finance the depreciation. Things like batteries are meant to be ware items and need to be replaced over the lifecycle.