scitalian

Hey guys I know that y'all get tons and tons of beginners on these forums, but I'm a little bit clueless as to the best way to go about purchasing my first bike. Here are the options.

Option 1: New Felt Z85 or F85 from LBS (or similar, I just like this shop) $1200
Option 2: 2006 Giant TCR 1 on Craigslist $700 (I know its approximately my size from taking measurements)

The TCR I think is a considerably better bike (from what I gather), but I won't get the luxury of a LBS fitting and whatnot. Nor deals on accessories (the LBS told me they would). Any opinions? I am also considering going the e-bay route, but its hard for me to spend that much money sight unseen.

Thanks!

CyciumX

Easily the Felt Z85. The 5700 shifters will be as good as the Ultegra 6600 shifters of the TCR, but new and with a warranty. The rest of the bike will act in much the same way and it looks a whole lot better IRL too!

pgjackson

I just got a new Z85 from a LBS for a lot less than $1200. SHop around.

Ware

Option 3:

Save up a bit more for the fully redesigned F75. For that extra 2-300 dollars you will get a tapered steerer, bb30 bottom bracket, better crankset, and Shimano 105 brifters as opposed to the microshift shifters that come with the F85.

Having the relationship with the bike shop is valuable. Especially if this is your first nice bike. Is it valuable enough to spend 2x the money? Only you can decide.


Edit:: Unless you need the longer headtube, the F75 is definitely worth the extra 150 over the Z85 (no tapered steerer or BB30, downgraded crankset). I raced the previous edition of the F75, and it was a great bike for the price. I'll miss it. The redesigned model will only be better, with the tapered steerer, stiffer BB, and updated 105 group.

scitalian

How much did you pay? I can't find any shop here that sells for under MSRP except on 2010 models.

iam7head

it really depends on how handy you are around bike.

you can get a smoking deal on a used bike but they almost always need small adjustment, parts vs a new bike.

The TCR C1 is carbon, right? the frame alone can sell for $450(c1 is the same as c0, which is the top of the line TCR back then, frame wise it's the same with different color/graphic)

taking measurement will not tell you anything more than a good starter range, test ride is a must.

jwill87ta

If you've got the money then I would say go with the Felt from the LBS. Its going to be 5 years newer and you get a better fit/sizing options from the LBS along with extended service and a warranty. If you're comfortable spending that much on a first bike then go for it.

pgjackson

Bicycle Wearhouse. $975 (without tax).

Sienna19

$500 is a lot of dough to me. That gets you a Pro fitting, and a lot of upgrades. You could spend $300 on a fitting which I suspect is not the same as the one that comes with the new bike. If the LBS gave you a 10% discount on the after sales, you would need to spend $2000 there to recoup the diff.

I have a few LBS that dont seem to care that I bought a used bike on ebay.
One LBS got the fitting
Another gets my clothing purchases
A third gets my accessories, components, shop time.

I visit them all repeatedly. And my 6600 equipped $700 used bike still shifts fine after my additional thousands of miles.

bryceman

I have to agree with Sienna here. $700 vs 1200 is a big difference. However, the question goes back to how comfortable are you with maintinaing a bike and is the used bike in good shape. WIth a used bike, you need to factor in any maintenance that will need to be done if the previous owner has not done it (chain, cassette, chainrings, cables, etc..). A bike fitting can be done by any LBS for 75-125 if you play your cards right. If they recommend a different length stem or handlebars, prepare to shop on eBay or craigslist for a replacement. Otherwise, you are back to the sticker price of a new bike.

Those are both aluminum frames so you are comparing apples to apples in that respect. I have an older Giant TCR and absolutely love it. It is a very light frame set (though aluminum) and great for pounding the miles.

CyciumX

Just to let you guys know... the 2011 Z85 comes with the newer 105 series 5700 shifters already....

Ware

Did i say that it didn't? Its a great bike. Not as nice as the F75.