Buying A Bike In Spain [Where And What Type

If you enjoy cycling, Spain is the place that has it all. From the warm and sunny weather that is ideal for going out to the scenic landscapes, you will find plenty of opportunities to enjoy your time here. Whether you enjoy cycling for recreational purposes or are travelling to work or a nearby market, you are bound to enjoy your trip in this tropical paradise.

Where To Buy A Bicycle In Spain?

Since cycling is so popular in the country, you will find plenty of places where you can get a bicycle. You have an option to either get a new or a used cycle. Let’s take a look at the best options available.

Buying From A Physical Shop

If you are a beginner, or looking to explore a little before finalizing your purchase, a physical retail outlet is the way to go. You will be able to look at the colors and types of bikes, and any additional features you require, in a lot more detail. You can even do a test ride to make sure the bike suits your stature and feels comfortable.

You can also get a consultation or recommendation from specialists when buying from a store. Another advantage is that you usually find bikes with some sort of warranty and a discount on the first inspection. These can be great ways to get good quality bikes and save some money in the process.

Slowroom and Mammoth in Madrid, and Bikester and Bike Gracia in Barcelona are popular shops that will cater to all of your biking needs. They sell all kinds of bikes and their accessories and even offer great discounts during the sale season.

Buying Online From A Website

Online shopping has become immensely popular in recent years, and with good reason. It is an easy and convenient way to shop for the things you like without having to go out and spend too much time. You can also buy a bicycle online at cheaper rates than most physical shops offer. Keep in mind though that this will only work if you have already made up your mind about the kind and model of bike you want, and you do not have to test out any options. Moreover, you will probably need to assemble the bicycle yourself which can be a big hassle needlessly causing worry. If you are comfortable with these aspects, feel free to shop online.

There are plenty of online shops in Spain that are specifically made for buying bicycles, which include Reid Bikes and Tuvalum

Where To Buy A Used Bicycle In Spain?

Buying a used bike will save you money, but you must do your research before getting one. A used bike will probably not be in the best condition, have the necessary warranty or the gear that you would ideally want. Therefore, explore your options a little before finalizing your choice and make sure the person or shop you are buying from seems legitimate.

Online Forums And Websites

There are a lot of websites and online forums which will let you buy a second hand and gently used bike too. Motos.net, Vibbo and Bikefair are popular websites you can use to buy and sell used bicycles. You can filter your searches according to the category of bike you need e.g. mountain bike, road bike, urban bike, folding bike etc. You might want to go and see the bikes yourself (if you have the option) before finalizing your purchase since a lot of flaws cannot be seen in pictures alone. Otherwise, request the seller to send you some high resolution pictures.

Cycle Shops

There are numerous bicycle shops that also deal in used bikes in addition to new ones. If you look around, you might be able to find a shop offering a trade-in i.e. exchange your old bike for part of the price of an upgraded one. Or they might buy your old one off you! You might also be able to find one with a warranty, though it will be shorter than the warranty you would get on a new bike. Of all the options, this is perhaps the safest and the one where you will have the most certainty of the quality of the product offered. It is also the best option if you are a first time buyer.

Facebook Marketplace

Facebook Marketplace has been growing a lot over the past few years as a kind of alternative to classified sites like Craigslist. The website is straightforward and easy to use, and it allows you to message buyers to know more about the bikes they are selling. You can even adjust the distance of the sellers according to your preference. If you are looking to buy from someone close to your place only, you can adjust the settings to filter your searches. If you are open to more options and sellers who are willing to ship the bike to you, you can search for those too. You will be able to buy decent quality bikes off of here. You should just do your own research into the seller: do they seem legit? Take a look at their previous listings or profile to make sure you don’t fall for a scam.

How To Avoid Buying A Stolen Bicycle

If you found a deal for a bike that sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Or if the owner does not seem to know all the details of the bike or doesn’t have a receipt. All of these are red flags that you should watch out for.

It is a wise idea to check if a bike is stolen before finalizing your purchase. Most bikes will have a frame identification number stamped onto the bottom bracket. You can check this number on a national level database to see if it was reported lost or stolen by someone.

You should also ask a lot of questions, especially if the ad is lacking in detail. See if the information offered by the seller is vague or the contact information is missing. Moreover, if the pictures attached to the ad seem like stock photos taken off the internet, request the seller for additional pictures. If the actual bike is different than the pictures, you should probably stay away from it.

Make Sure To Get A Road Worthy Bike In Spain

Before you begin your riding journey, make sure your bike has all the requirements for it to be safe when riding in Spain. Generally, you will be required to have the following:

• Functioning front and back brakes
• Reflectors on the bike, as well as reflective clothing for yourself after dark
• A bicycle bell

In addition to this, make sure the tires are fully inflated, none of the bolts are loose, and the chain is well-lubricated.

How Much Does It Cost To Buy A Bike In Spain?

The price will depend on the kind of bike you are buying. The cheapest are city bikes and mountain bikes, which you can find for around 300 and 700 euros respectively. Road bicycles are more expensive and can be bought for around 1700 euros. The most expensive type as expected, is an electric bike which will cost you upwards of 2400 euros on average.

Used bicycles can come at much more affordable prices. There are some forums like El Ciclo which have bikes even as cheap as 70 euros (and children’s bikes as low as 40 euros only)!

Which Bike Is Best For Spain?

Road Bike

These bikes have downward-curving handlebars and skinny tires, and will help you ride on a variety of terrains. They have a lightweight frame which makes it ideal for riding without a lot of effort. You can use them for racing and touring, riding for fitness and any long distance rides.

Mountain Bike

Mountain bikes have an excellent braking system and shock absorbing features, so they can handle bumpy and rocky trails. As their name suggests, they are a great option for riding up steeper surfaces which will require lower gears (which other types of bikes might not have). Their tires are also wider to support riding on bumpy trails.

Hybrid bikeThese bikes are a mix of mountain, touring and simple road bikes so they can be helpful for a variety of needs. The bikes have large wheels which help them work well on paved trails as well as smooth dirt paths. Their disc brakes also perform impressively in turbulent conditions. But if you are planning on getting one you must know that no two hybrid bikes are the same so you must find one with the exact combination of features you need.

Electric Bike

Electric bikes are rechargeable and have been growing in popularity in Spain over the past few years. The electric motor provides assistance when you are peddling to make riding uphill easier. All of the bike types mentioned above i.e. road, mountain and hybrid bikes are available in electric versions.

Do Bikes Get Stolen In Spain?

Unfortunately, bike theft is very common in Spain. According to certain estimates, a huge 800,000 bikes get stolen each year in the country. Their average value is about 500 euros, and they are easily sold on the black market.

How To Register A Bicycle In Spain?

Registro de Bicicletas or the Spanish Bicycle Registry is a database of bicycles in Spain. You can register your bicycle on this platform under your name to help provide some level of protection against theft and to make it easier to recover in case it is stolen or lost. However, it is not necessary or mandatory to register your bike.

Alternative: Renting Your Bike In Spain

If you do not plan on cycling regularly or spending a lot on buying a bike, renting can be another great alternative. Renting will mostly be possible in larger cities only, or in tourist stations where cycling can be a great activity. For most places, you will just need to provide some sort of ID to rent.

A number of companies rent out bikes, and each city might also have its own network that you can be a part of. In Barcelona, for instance, a whopping 2 million people use bicycles. Cycling is so popular in fact that the city has its own bike share program called ‘bicing’. There are a total of 6000 bikes that you can get from any one of their 420 stations. Once you have become a member, the first 30 minutes of the ride are free and thereafter you only pay 0.7 euros for the next two hours.

Generally, you should expect to pay around 10 to 15 euros a day for renting a basic model bicycle. But prices could vary depending on the type of bike and its quality. Before you decide to rent therefore, you should consider your requirements in detail. For instance, if you need a mountain bike for going to hilly or off-road areas or a basic bike for paved routes. 

Understand The Spanish Cycling Rules

If you’re cycling in Spain, make sure you are aware of the rules you must follow. If you don’t adhere to these, you could get into trouble! This is not a comprehensive list, but just a few things you should be careful about. If you are serious about cycling, be sure to get information on all of the rules from a local authority.

• You should wear a helmet when riding outside urban areas, except under certain exceptions
• Cyclists must ride on the right side of the roadway, and to avoid accidents you cannot ride your bike against the flow of traffic
• You must use only the lanes designated for cyclists and maintain a speed lower than 30km/h
• You should indicate your intention to turn using hand signals, and must keep your hands on the handlebars at all times otherwise
• You can only park your bicycle in parking spots designated for them and cannot park besides benches, street lights or trees etc.
• Your bicycle must have a functioning bell, front and rear lights and breaks and a rear reflector. In addition, if you are riding in the dark (i.e. the time between sunset and sunrise) your clothing must also be reflective
• You are not allowed to use your phone or listen to the music while riding
• Failing to follow these rules can result in heavy fines: one of the highest fines is charged for being under the influence of alcohol which is 500 euros. Not wearing high visibility clothing or having your lights off in the dark can result in a 200 euros fine. Failing to stop at a traffic light or failing to give way also has a 200 euros fine.

Conclusion

Riding a bicycle in Spain can be a lot of fun. To make the most of your ride, make sure you have a high quality, functioning bike. You should be able to find a number of places in Spain to get one, and at a good price too. As long as you have done your research, you will be able to find an excellent bike for yourself. Happy cycling!