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New or used?
NB: Originally posted elsewhere on the Global Riders Network and appears via syndication.
I was wondering if someone had any opinions or experience in regards to buying a bike new or used.
First question: Should I even consider buying a used bike?
Second question: If I choose to look for a used bike, what to look out for and how to check that it is in a decent condition?
At the moment I'm considering a hardtail 29er. Been mainly looking at the Gary Fishers and the Giant XtC
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I've bought both new and used bikes. Now that I know more about bikes and what to look for, I favour buying used. The lasts three we've bought have been used, and are very nice bikes. Here's my take.
Plusses to buying new:
You're not buying someone else's problems
Some latitude to customise fit with swapping stems/seatpost/bars before you take delivery
Warranty coverage
Greater choice - you're not limited by what's currently on offer secondhand
You get the benefit of the LBS's expertise on fit if you're not sure what you need.
Minuses:
Sometimes LBS's advise you based on what they want to sell rather than what you need.
Warranty support can be crap.
You lose half the bike's value as soon as you roll out the door.
Niggles that you need to take to the LBS to get fixed under warranty, meaning the bike isn't available to you for a week or more.
Plusses to buying secondhand:
You don't drop half its value when you walk it out the bike shop door
MUCH more bike for what you do pay
The bike has been sorted by the previous owner
You don;t have the bike store sales guy trying to sell you the wrong bike / wrong sized bike because they want to clear it out rather than what you need.
A little bit left in the budget to customise fit takes you a long way
Minuses:
Not all faults may be visible on pre-purchase inspection
Worn parts will need to be replaced earlier than if new
Hi have been lucky i guess, but the last few bikes i have brought have been second hand and i have brought some gems that have hardly been ridden off road. It really helps if you can replace parts like chain rings, bottom brackets, rear cassettes, brake pads etc. Because you can then get this type of stuff from JensonsUSA or other websites very cheap and shipped quicker than if the LBS has to order the part in.
The trick on Ebay is to find something local that you can look at before placing a bid (or at least a winning bid). You need to be patient too, one of my mates has been looking for over a month now. He could just go to a shop and walk out with a bike off the rack today and go and smash it in the mud this weekend, but you can save quite a bit of money if your patient.
+1 to both of the above.
Definitely check a 2nd hand bike out first before buying/purchasing.
My recent purchase was 2nd hand and im very happy with it. No issues and it came with heaps of spare bits for it including two front triangles.
If a part such as a bar or wheel snaps while you are hooting along you could end up in hospital. You really don't know whether the bike you buy second hand has had a hard hit and has a weak point. This is especially true with carbon bars.
Chances are you will be fine but I personally don't take the risk. Saved a couple of grand but busted my body...
I think you are more likely to get the correct size and type of bike by going to a bike shop. Someone selling a second hand bike only has one bike to sell you and a bike shop will have many. If you know what size and type you want from ebay then you wouldn't buy the wrong one from a shop.
If there is a model you have in mind it is worth checking what has changed between the current model in the shop and the older second hand ones around. Some times it may only be a different colour paint, but there may be things such as a lighter frame or higher spec components that make the new model better.
Now is a good time to look at the shops for sales as they clear stock ready for the 2010 models. It is a good compromise between paying top dollar for the latest and greatest and the uncertainty around the history of a second hand bike.
I have to agree with the comments above. Another thing to add is, if you are mechanicaly minded and do your own repairs and maintenance on your bike. Then looking for a second hand bike is a good option. You know what to look for and what to fix if it needs it. However, if you're not. Buying second hand can cost you more in the long run if you get unlucky. Mainly because, you'll have to take the bike to your LBS to get fixed if something goes wrong. Also, some bike shops offer a couple of free services with the purchase of a new bike.
Something else to consider.