Check the frame carefully for signs of cracks around the bottom bracket because a lot of stress and flexing happens there. On steel or aluminum frames, look for wrinkles in the paint, especially where the fork legs meet the crown and where the down tube meets the head tube. In a front end crash, for example, when someone hits a parked car, the paint can crack or wrinkle in these areas. Rotate the handlebars and look for signs of looseness or brinelling (it feels like the steering is "ratcheting"). Old style headsets can be replaced easily but the integrated headsets found on most new bikes can be difficult to replace. If there's an obvious problem with the headset, find out if it can be replaced on the bike you are considering, or have the bike checked out by someone who knows headsets. Component manufacturer Chris King is an outspoken critic of integrated headsets and explains his concerns on his website.

At the moment there are a lot more cars on the road than there are bikes. In the near future however, the number of cyclists on the roads could rise dramatically. The price of running a car, including tax, petrol and insurance are constantly on the rise and soon many will have no choice but to avoid driving. A lot of residents in towns and cities who have to commute by car on a daily basis may have to take up another form of transport and one way to do this is via cycling. Riding a bike does have its own running costs. Cycling equipment, clothing, shoes and the bike itself all add up, but this is nothing in comparison to driving a car every day.

carbon mtb rim

carbon mountain bike rim

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