Used or new??

[Bikingmomof3]

You have been given excellent advice. I personally own a Trek 1000, and if the price was right as well as the fit, I would purchase a second one, used. Yes, I do love my Trek.

If the size/fit is right, you like how it feels, and the price is right, go for it. The person selling it should be more than willing to let you test it for a few days and take it into your trusted bike store for a once over.

Let us know what you decide.

[emily_in_nc]

One thing nice about buying used (if you are sure the bike fits, as everyone has stated!) is that you can get a bike for maybe half or less $ than what you would pay for it new. I recently sold a Terry Isis in very good condition for less than half of what it cost new, and I think the buyer got a great bike for a very good price. I also recently bought a mountain bike off eBay, and even though it had been fairly well used (6 years old) so that I had to replace the wheels, cassette, chain, crankset (for my leg length), saddle to better suit me, put my own pedals on, etc., had an LBS pump the shocks and give it a tune-up and once-over, it still cost less than half of a new one would have run me! Even though I'm sure I'll eventually have to replace the shocks, it was still better than buying new.

Major caveat: This was an expensive model that would cost about $5000 (as currently equipped) new. Buying a relatively inexpensive bike used and having to replace as much as I did would not be cost-effective as you could buy a new one for less. But in your case, if the bike is in essentially new condition, fits you, and is a great deal, go for it!

Emily

[pepe6599]

Thanks for the GREAT advice. It's going to take me sometime to find the comfortable/perfect fitting bike meanwhile i'm learning more from various people about how a bike should feel/ride.

Thanks!!!