Buying a Second Hand Bike in Warsaw

You might be interested to buy a bicycle for commuting, or maybe to make some Bike Packing trip.

I was feeling overwhelmed by the amount of information on the internet telling which bike you need.

The truth? Having a confortable bike that suits your needs won’t break your piggy bank.

BikePacking? I just want a bycicle to enjoy

The common thing is that you don’t need to spend a fortune to have a bicycle nowadays.

It can’t be luck if for me it worked more than once, right?

Purchasing a second-hand bicycle in Warsaw can be a rewarding experience if you know where to look and how to approach the process. This worked for me:

  • Use Online Platforms: Start your search on places lile OLX, a popular online marketplace in Poland. You can find a wide variety of bicycles listed by private sellers.
  • Be Patient: Finding the perfect bicycle may take some time. Check the listings regularly and be patient to wait for the right deal to come along.
  • Engage with Sellers: When you find a bicycle that interests you, chat with the owner to learn more about the bike's history and condition. This can also help you gauge the seller's reliability.
  • Negotiate for a Discount: Don't hesitate to negotiate the price. After building a rapport with the seller, kindly ask if they are willing to offer a discount.
  • Inspect Before Buying: Always inspect the bicycle in person before finalizing the purchase. Check for any signs of wear and tear, and ensure all parts are in good working condition.
  • Check for Stolen Bikes: Be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true. Verify the bike's serial number to ensure it is not stolen.

By following these tips, you can increase your chances of finding a second-hand bicycle that suits your needs and budget in Warsaw and most likely across the world!


A Bike for a One Way Trip

For 2023 summer, I wanted to make another part of my Cycling Through Europe journey, this time around the Baltics area.

My initial idea was to start in Finland, to buy (a new) mountain bike in there and then cross to tallin and make my way towards Vilnius.

But the logistic seemed a little bit complex:

Well, i rejected that idea after having a look to 2nd hand options in Warsaw.

I was confident enought to go and visit him on a public bike (thinking that I would seal the deal)

Warsaw to Konstacin Jeziorny by Bike
Getting to Know the Seller (ex-taxi driver) and the bike

We closed the deal for 300pln ~70$ (but now with the bike i came to see)

Oh, which one I got in the end?

Once again a model that I was not going for in the first place.

Warsaw to Konstacin Jeziorny by Bike
Saying Hi to my mountain bike

After testing it for few days for small commuting trips in the city, I decided that it was good enough to just change my pedals:

Warsaw to Konstacin Jeziorny by Bike
Changing the pedals to get ready for my Baltics Bike trip

And…that was all. The bicycle stayed as I bought it (and I took the original pedals to change them before giving it away in Tallin)

Warsaw to Konstacin Jeziorny by Bike
Ready for BikePacking the Baltics

The yellow one was already on a ‘round trip’ - I brought it back from Budapest on a Flixbus


Preparing another Project

I was lucky enough to find this KTM for 200 pln ~ 50$

Warsaw to Konstacin Jeziorny by Bike
I Found this by chance - Snapshot for the haters ❤️

It was a gloomy autumn morning.

As I did not count that the transaction could be that easy, I went on my bike instead of walking:

Warsaw to Konstacin Jeziorny by Bike
My mountain bike getting to know the Second hand KTM
Warsaw to Konstacin Jeziorny by Bike
This was the lovely seller

But I needed to walk back with the two of them:

Warsaw to Konstacin Jeziorny by Bike
I had to take this shot - Coming back home with two bikes

By the way, those walls are the limits of the Powazki Cemetery in Warsaw

When the winter passed, the KTM is ready to use:

Warsaw to Konstacin Jeziorny by Bike
Ready for BikePacking the Baltics

This is how the KTM Libero (~1985) blends with today’s Warsaw City Center

Warsaw to Konstacin Jeziorny by Bike
Ready for BikePacking the Baltics

And If you got your bicycle already, these routes are waiting for you:

Looking somwhere further? You can make longer one way trips from Warsaw with the trains: