New or secondhand?

[The Central Scrutinizer]

As a lot of cyclists i want to go from a hybrid to a road bike but on a limited budget(£300ish)

I have looked on gumtree and seen some bargains,even replied to an add for a trek 2.1 road bike 2010 for £250 but i've had no reply.seems to be too cheap to be true,so could be dodgy like i guess a lot of these ads are.

Ebay is probably more secure but there auctions always seem to attract a lot of bidders so there aren't always the bargains you used to have on there also because you are expected to pay straight away you are in theory buying blind.

Or Would i be better buying new as although you might get a lesser model you at least have the peace of mind of everything being brand new and with a warranty.

New bikes i have been looking in to have been the carrarra range and the b'twin3.

These sort of threads have probably been done to death so my apology's

 

[Acyclo]

I have one of these: http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-3-id_8167038.html

 

[Alembicbassman]

If you do buy second hand go for something somebody has bought on a whim and used a couple of times. If you're buying road bikes that are a few years old, with many miles on the clock expect to replace some parts, chain, cassette, chainrings, bottom bracket. If you don't know what you're looking at then you could end up spending £100 or more on parts. Some people look after their bikes some do not, parts wear out either way. My mate bought a 2005 Trek with Ultegra, I told him a new chain will be about £30, he wasn't happy.

 

[musa]

up to yyou.....i got a defy4 2010 second hand for 230...depends on what u see....if u want new then get the btwin triban3

 

[calibanzwei]

Consider a single speed road(ish) bike? Lack of mechs usually mean they come at a lesser price and have less interest (on eBay) - I've just picked up a pretty much mint Giant Bowery for £173 - look for Kona Paddy Wagons', Genesis Flyers, Specialized Langsters too.

 

[The Central Scrutinizer]

I have one of these: http://www.decathlon.co.uk/triban-3-id_8167038.html

What do you think of them acyclo?

I might pop down to my nearest store(lakeside)and have a look but i know they don't have my size in.

 

[junglegusset]

If you're not in a rush then eBay is a good option imho. Just wait for something that comes up nearby and where the seller will allow you to view before bidding. You can then check its the right size for you and check the level of wear. I bought my MTB off eBay, only needed to replace one chainring. The guy even threw in a spare rear wheel and a set of forks! If you're not sure that to look for then either find out or get a new bargain like the Decathlon bikes already mentioned. Ribble bikes represent outstanding value also I believe.

 

[Bigbud]

I picked up a 2004 trek 1200 last year for £250 with mainly Tiagra, not done many miles at all but changed the wheels and tyres as they were rubbish and now have a solid commuter that weighs in at only 10kg

I found gumtree to be full of dodgy bikes, people didn't want to meet at there house ect so in the end went ebay and picked it up

 

[Scilly Suffolk]

If you know what to look for and can do your own servicing and repairs, then you'll get more for your money second-hand.

Obviously if you're buying blind off the internet, then the risk of buying a lemon increases.

In your position, I'd be inclined to buy new: once you have more experience of road bikes then buying second-hand becomes less hazardous.

The Triban 3 and Carrera TDF are both good, first road bikes. Decathlon score more highly with regards to after sales service.

 

[cyberknight]

If you know what to look for and can do your own servicing and repairs, then you'll get more for your money second-hand.

Obviously if you're buying blind off the internet, then the risk of buying a lemon increases.

In your position, I'd be inclined to buy new: once you have more experience of road bikes then buying second-hand becomes less hazardous.

The Triban 3 and Carrera TDF are both good, first road bikes. Decathlon score more highly with regards to after sales service.

I agree with the above, if you know what to look for and can look at the bike before you bid/offer second hand is worth a punt.
If your just entering into cycling i would go for a shop bought bike because if there is a problem you can take it back.

If i was going to get a new bike the triban 3 would get my vote as well, i had a TDF and although its similar spec the triban wins out with the carbon fork and same groupset for the same money .

 

[The Central Scrutinizer]

up to yyou.....i got a defy4 2010 second hand for 230...depends on what u see....if u want new then get the btwin triban3

Musa

What do you think of the defy 4?and do you know anything about the defy 3.5?

Just seen these going second hand on a website(not gumtree)

 

[musa]

Musa

What do you think of the defy 4?and do you know anything about the defy 3.5?

Just seen these going second hand on a website(not gumtree)

EM

yyeah its not a bad bike for road bike i got a triple ive bought last 2 were fixed/singlespeed
all i need to do is upgrade parts as per usual (bug has caught on)
yyyh the 3.5 is alright.........if its just to get about and the price is good for u then get it u can alwayys make adjustments

 

[uphillstruggler]

either of the Giants would be a good buy as long as they fit, but for new, after seeing them in store, the triban 3s are not too shabby

 

[biggs682]

my advice is 2nd hand route , its cheaper and you get more choice just got be carefull on who you buy from , loads of toher cycling forums have people selling bike

 

[The Central Scrutinizer]

Well i think I've decided on the triban3 but they haven't got my size in and there not sure when they have will Have new stock in

I could get get a Carrera tdf but I think I'd rather hang on and get the b'twin and besides halfords have just put the price up on the Carrera.