EDIT: Sorry, where did my text go when I posted? Here’s the text of my post:
If you were trying to be budget conscious, but wanted to get an endurance bike (road bike with a relaxed geometry) would you get a used bike that MSRP’d at $2300 12 years ago and is now listed in the $600-800 range? Or would you get a new bike from a shop that MSRPs in the $900-1300 range?
For background, I live in the northern US and I don’t own a car. My hybrid bike is my primary means of transportation. The endurance bike would be the third bike added to my stable, with the second being a fat tire used for winter commuting. The advantage of the endurance bike would be pushing my average speed from 14mph on my hybrid to 18+mph on a lighter, more speed focused bike. I would use the endurance bike to get across town (~20 mile round trip) faster or to expand recreational biking options outside the city. I already tour on my hybrid, but I could also join local races or cycling groups with a road bike.
To give an example of used vs new bike choice, would you select a 2006 Trek 5200 for $750 or a new Giant Contend AR 4 for $1150?
Pros to going the used route:
-Price is a bit cheaper. Both options are within my budget, but it doesn’t hurt to be frugal.
-Bike components were designed and produced to be higher quality.
-Frame is probably lighter carbon fiber vs heavier aluminum for better performance.
Pros to going the new route:
-Easier to make sure I get the right fit.
-Warranty if something breaks on the bike. Related, how concerned should I be about frame failure on a used carbon fiber bike?
-New bikes are more likely to have disc brakes for better stopping performance.
I’m not in a massive rush to make a purchase, so I have flexibility to wait for a good used bike to come up, but I would like to have it figured out by next spring. Thanks everyone in advance for your advice!
Quiet-Towel-181 on
Neither. I’d personally go used medium end endurance bike. Granted, your used market may not be the same as mine, but I’ve seen 1-3 year old Contends and Defys with Tiagra or 105 (both with hydraulic disks) in the $800-1200 range. You might have to wait a bit to find the right bike in your size at the right price, but that’s 100% the route I’d go if I was looking to spend around $1k on a bike right now.
2 Comments
EDIT: Sorry, where did my text go when I posted? Here’s the text of my post:
If you were trying to be budget conscious, but wanted to get an endurance bike (road bike with a relaxed geometry) would you get a used bike that MSRP’d at $2300 12 years ago and is now listed in the $600-800 range? Or would you get a new bike from a shop that MSRPs in the $900-1300 range?
For background, I live in the northern US and I don’t own a car. My hybrid bike is my primary means of transportation. The endurance bike would be the third bike added to my stable, with the second being a fat tire used for winter commuting. The advantage of the endurance bike would be pushing my average speed from 14mph on my hybrid to 18+mph on a lighter, more speed focused bike. I would use the endurance bike to get across town (~20 mile round trip) faster or to expand recreational biking options outside the city. I already tour on my hybrid, but I could also join local races or cycling groups with a road bike.
To give an example of used vs new bike choice, would you select a 2006 Trek 5200 for $750 or a new Giant Contend AR 4 for $1150?
Pros to going the used route:
-Price is a bit cheaper. Both options are within my budget, but it doesn’t hurt to be frugal.
-Bike components were designed and produced to be higher quality.
-Frame is probably lighter carbon fiber vs heavier aluminum for better performance.
Pros to going the new route:
-Easier to make sure I get the right fit.
-Warranty if something breaks on the bike. Related, how concerned should I be about frame failure on a used carbon fiber bike?
-New bikes are more likely to have disc brakes for better stopping performance.
I’m not in a massive rush to make a purchase, so I have flexibility to wait for a good used bike to come up, but I would like to have it figured out by next spring. Thanks everyone in advance for your advice!
Neither. I’d personally go used medium end endurance bike. Granted, your used market may not be the same as mine, but I’ve seen 1-3 year old Contends and Defys with Tiagra or 105 (both with hydraulic disks) in the $800-1200 range. You might have to wait a bit to find the right bike in your size at the right price, but that’s 100% the route I’d go if I was looking to spend around $1k on a bike right now.