New vs. Used??

[Biciclista]

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.

[indigoiis]

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.

[Cataboo]

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.

[indysteel]

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.

[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.

[Blueberry]

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.

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.

[ASammy1]

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

One less bike in the trash!

[Aggie_Ama]

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.