Is it ever a good idea to buy 2nd hand stock wheels?

pbassred

Im not an out and out roadie and probably never will be. I like the ability to take my CX bike anywhere too much to warrant all my time and energy chasing seconds on the flat (although I acknowledge the attraction). So stock alloy wheels with marathon plusses - all day! That said ....
I bought a turbo trainer ..... and a trainer tyre.
Well, You wouldn't want to be swapping it all the time, so it makes sense to put that tire on a different wheel.
Wheel needs a cassette and you wouldn't really want a worn one.
but then, if I'm going to buy a spare wheel I might as well get a set and put road tires on so that I can swap depending on the ride (This is where things start to slide ..... ).
So if I'm going to do that, I don't really want any old square section wheels. Probable a little more aero. (just in case I start chasing seconds).
Still budget conscious though. Lots of people seem to buy bikes and then upgrade the stock wheels. The wheels end up on ebay.
Are they ever worth buying?

INPTT

Yeah, if you need a decent pair of average stock wheels, you can get them for pretty cheap on ebay. I've bought plenty of second hand wheels and none of them have failed me yet.

onionmk

It is worth it IMO. Although do check with the seller that the rims are true and spin freely. I bought a pair of wheels off gumtree which I had to collect in person so I did get to check them out beforehand. Spent £25 on the wheels and a further £20 getting the wheels trued and spokes changed etc. And they've been a solid set of wheels. They're shimano wh-rs010 if you're wondering. They're semi aero (25mm depth) so might be worth looking at for you.