New vs. Used??

Hi everyone! Since this past fall, I have been researching and looking for my first road bike. I have found a few decent used bikes but also really like the 2009 Trek 1.2 WSD. What are the pros and cons of buying new vs. used? I'm having a hard time finding my size (56 WSD) in a used bike. My dad and my friend who is a huge triathlete think I should buy used. I completely understand I can get a better deal on a used bike (especially in today's economy), but what about the warranty? Free tune-ups? Free fitting? Financing options? My first triathlon is June 28, I'd like to have my bike by the end of March, it's crunch time! Any advice would be much appreciated! :cool:

For my first road bike i bought a used Bianchi for about 1/3 the new price. I bought it off ebay and the seller wasn't completely honest about the condition.
I was able to fix the front hub (which was badly worn) for about $50 and then the bike was roadworthy. It was a great deal considering I wasn't sure I wanted a road bike.
YOu already described the #1 reason not to get a used bike. It's hard to find the right size. but if you do? I'd buy used again in a heartbeat!

ps after riding the Bianchi for about 2 years I sold it again for $50 less than the price I paid for it.

I bought a used bike on Craigslist, went to see it, and was really happy with what I saw. I felt like the bike was already mine and it was in this girl's livingroom. I still love this bike and while it is not perfect, I feel very emotional about it, almost as if "she" were adopted. LOL.

The only reasons I would do it is 1. value 2. not sure you are going to stick with it.

I bought my mountain bike used because I wasn't sure about doing it. It was about 1/3 the price new but the girl has used it to commute so it was a little scratched up, otherwise pretty decent shape. After a few months of mountain biking I am glad I went this route, I enjoy mountain biking but still am happy to have not spent $700 right now. I did have to pay for a deluxe tune up which the bike shop we use includes free 2x in the first year. The bad thing is to get a decent bike you spend almost as much as a new one, at least here.

A new bike you get a good fit, you know how many miles it really had, you usually get some sort of free maintenance, you get a lot easier to deal with warranty. I have dealt with a cracked frame and good luck getting it replaced if you don't have original paperwork, most manufacturers want that.

ETA- I should say I ride a 47 frame so people know they are only going to fit a small woman and price accordingly knowing there won't be 10 on Craigslist that day.

I've mostly bought used. I guess 1 mountain bike new, which I decided the bike shop sold me one that was too small and too expensive. 1 road bike new that I loved, but severely discounted.

Everything else has come off craigslist. and the price differential's been worth it to me. I do most of my own maintenance or the bf does, so the lack of free tuneups doesn't make a difference to me.

At least around me, there's a ton of bikes on craigslist that have been bought and never ridden, or ridden only a couple of times - and those are the ones I usually buy. You see that on ebay too. Classic, I wanted my gf to ride with me, I bought her this bike, we broke up or she hated it.

I guess the road bike I got off craigslist was basically an old frame with completely new components, 'cause the guy who owned it had decided he needed a larger frame, and bought a new felt bike... swapped all his campy components off the bike he sold me on to his new bike, and put all the shimano 105 from the new bike onto the old frame. So while hugely discounted, I knew I was getting completely new components... And eventually I saw a basically new carbon frame on craigslist in my size & bought that to swap all my pieces onto.

Mountain bikes are a bit sturdier - so I didn't worry as much at buying a well used one off craigslist, especially since it was titanium.

If you can get the right size and the price is right for the condition the bike is in, then buying used can be the way to go. As you indicated, there are some freebies you won't get if you buy from a shop, but you could still easily come out ahead if you buy used.

As for "free fittings," in my experience, few shops offer a free comprehensive fitting. They more or less just eyeball it, which you can do fairly easily on your own. If you want a more comprehensive fitting, whether it be on a new or used bike, you have to pay extra for it. Check around at your local shops to see if any of them offer a fitting service. I bought a new roadbike a few years ago and paid to have a fitter at another shop fine tune my fit on it.

Obviously, a used bike won't be warrantied. I'm assuming the bikes you have in mind are mostly aluminum with some carbon parts. If so, I wouldn't let the lack of warranty be a deal breaker. As for financing, more than likely a private seller is going to want cash. In these economic times, I wouldn't necessarily recommend financing with an LBS though, but then again, I'm a big proponent of buying only what I have cash for. If your money is really that tight, you might be better off buying used if you can find the right bike once you have the pennies saved.

Part of the appeal for me was the "Going Green" aspect which is one of the reasons why I bought used.

Just another perspective and my $0.02 worth.

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Originally Posted by ASammy1

Part of the appeal for me was the "Going Green" aspect which is one of the reasons why I bought used.

Just another perspective and my $0.02 worth.

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You know - it's funny. I consider myself very "green" - but I seldom remember that re-use counts:) Strange mindset - I guess.

I've done a little of each -

1 bike off ebay (and another that was a disaster, and was returned to the seller. Had to fight paypal to get $$ back).

1 bike used from a shop - awesome bike, great fit. But, the shop wasn't so great about helping with issues, even though I bought it there,

2 bikes new from a shop - 1 is awesome. The other is a really bad fit. 2 other new bikes that I no longer own (either because they weren't for me, or they were bad fits).

1 tandem off Craigslist (our first, and we've spend a LOT on little things)

1 custom Bike Friday.

I think used is a great option, but you really have to know what you're doing. More responsibility is on you for fit, making sure you know what maintenance is needed and when, etc. If you are comfortable, and you like to tinker - go for it.

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Originally Posted by CA_in_NC

You know - it's funny. I consider myself very "green" - but I seldom remember that re-use counts:) Strange mindset - I guess.

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One less bike in the trash! :D

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Originally Posted by ASammy1

One less bike in the trash! :D

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Very true:)

CA

I guess being in a competitve market area most of the shops here do offer a basic fit which was enough when I started cycling. Sure it wasn't measuring bone length or power output or flexibility or any of the myriad of other types of fits. I paid $40 for the same basic fit when I developed a knee problem and the shop I bought my bike from had gone out of business. This also included getting cleats fitting, insoles fitted, and my brakes moved in addition to the seat placement, stem, etc...

But again, used can be a good value but if you have family that rides take them with you so you know you are really getting bang for the buck. ;)

Thanks for the advice so far! I'll keep looking! I'm very sure I will use this new bike a lot. I have a great mountain bike that I bought years ago, rode it all the time in middle school, high school and college. The only reason I don't ride it now is it's at my mom and dad's and is in desperate need of a good tune up. I might give myself a date, if I can't find used by the first weekend in April, I may have to break down and get a new one. Thanks again!

well i bought mine used from a shop, so besides buying it at a really great price, i got free fitting and tune up...

plus being a cannondale, you get lifetime warranty on damages to the frame.

look around and see if there are good bike stores that have a used inventory, you'd be surprised on the deals and kind of service you can still get from them...
i think that's better than buying it directly from someone.

hope this helps!

Dh bought a REALLY nice Specialized mountain bike on ebay for a steal and is very happy with it.

If you are a 56 frame, you don't really need a women specific bike. You can buy handlebars that are better for women if that's an issue. I'm 5'9" and I "think" a 54 inch frame. My Cannondale CAAD9 is not WS and, after some time, I'm realizing the handlebars are the only issue. So, I'm going to replace them soon. They are the right width, but on fast downhill speeds, I don't feel like I have the control to brake as I should. The brake levers are just a little farther from the bar than is comfortable. One spin around the block on my friend's Ruby taught me I need different handlebars. But I'm not even getting women's specific. Just handlebars that are a good fit for smaller physiques.

The bike shop guy first suggested the same handlebars that come on the Ruby. My husband made a face and I told the guy (one the phone) that my husband didn't seem too keen on that idea, to which bike shop guy replied, "Yeah, putting Specialized on Cannondale is kind of like putting a Ford part on a Chevy." :) Anyways, the bars I'm looking to get are 3T Ergonovas. They make a few different ones.

So, don't get caught up in having to get a women's specific bike and ... there are awesome deals to be had used. Good luck and have fun at your triathlon! :D

I may have a bike for you...sent you a PM. Not sure what your budget is, though! :)

Hi :)
I would say if your dad and friend can guide you there is no reason to buy new from a shop. In your price range NO question. For instance, I helped my dad buy a used Scott CR1 for $1100 on ebay. Nearly new! He saved $1000 and then bought accessories, clothing, shoes, and pedals from a good local shop who then gave him a tune-up and decent fitting for free. Ideal. Be a little patient and something like that might come down the pike.