1996 Co-Motion Custom Softride

Archived: Frame: TIG-welded steel or fillet-brazed steel · Fork: Buyer's choice · Buyer's choice

• Check paint damage, vent holes and accessible internal surfaces for corrosion. Look for dents, bent tubes and cracking around welded or brazed joints.
• Inspect the fork crown, blades, dropouts and visible steerer area. Check that it is straight, securely installed and free of cracks or impact damage.

Archived: Fork: Buyer's choice · Rear shock: Softride Suspension Beam, 4.5" travel

• Inspect the shock shaft and seals, cycle the rear suspension through its travel and check for oil, air loss, binding or unusual top-out and bottom-out noises.
• Hold the rear brake and load the suspension from several directions. Check pivots, bearings and mounting hardware for knock, looseness or side play.
• Ask for dated shock and pivot-service records. A clean exterior does not establish the condition of internal seals, oil, bushings or bearings.

Archived: Group: Buyer's choice · Shifters: Buyer's choice · Front derailleur: Buyer's choice · Rear derailleur: Buyer's choice · Crankset: Buyer's choice · Bottom bracket: Buyer's choice · Rear cogs: Buyer's choice teeth · Chain: 1/2 x 3/32"

• Shift through every available gear under light load. Hesitation, skipping or inconsistent indexing can reflect wear, damage, poor adjustment or mismatched replacement parts.
• Measure chain wear with a compatible gauge and inspect chainring, cassette or freewheel teeth. A new chain does not rule out wear in the remaining drivetrain.
• Turn the cranks slowly, feel for rough bearings and check for side-to-side play. Inspect crank arms, chainring bolts and pedal threads for looseness or damage.

Archived: Brakes: Buyer's choice brakes, Buyer's choice levers

• Inspect pads and braking surfaces, check the complete cable or hose path, and confirm both controls feel consistent and return cleanly.

Archived: Wheel size: 700c wheels · Rims: Buyer's choice · Front tire: 700c

• Spin both wheels and watch for side-to-side and vertical movement. Check spoke tension, rim condition and hub play.
• Inspect both tire casings for cuts, cracking, plugs, bulges or exposed threads and confirm the installed sizes are safe for the rims and available frame and fork clearance.

Archived: Headset: Buyer's choice · Handlebar: Buyer's choice · Stem: Co-Motion custom · Seatpost: Softride Suspension Beam · Saddle: Buyer's choice · Pedals: Not included

• Apply the front brake and rock the bike to check for headset play or notchiness. Inspect the stem, handlebar and clamp zones, then confirm every fastener and control is secure.
• Check that the seatpost moves for adjustment and that the saddle, post and clamp hold securely without cracks, severe corrosion or damaged hardware.