edgamar

Hi, just subscribed to this forum and looking forward to learn and enjoy the sport. I would like to make the right decision as a beginner, of course I understand there is no such "right" decision. I ready to purchase my first bike, went to see different shops in the area such as Orbea, Treck, Giant... but now more inching on an used bike and then down the road upgrade and I gain my resistance.

I've been reading in what to look for more or less and found this one in Craiglist, I know that is hard to see the exact condition thru pictures, I'm not sure if the price is fair based on year, model.... any personal opinion will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

https://staugustine.craigslist.org/bik/3761444240.html

~ I hope this is the right section to post this~

8086bruce

Ok price. How tall are you? 52cm frame is on the smaller side.

hokie cycler

Since you are new to the sport I suggest you buy new. The shop should help fit you to the bike and steer you towards the proper size. With used you are taking a guess. You'll also be getting a brand new bike that has a warranty. There will be others on this board that will offer a different opinion with pros and cons. Orbea, Trek, Giant, Specialized, Felt etc. are all good brands and depending on your budget, you will be comparing bikes with similar specs.

I have bought both of my bikes new from the same shop and they were very helpful. My first bike was an aluminum LeMond with Sora groupset and a triple crank, basically a starter bike. I was a complete rookie and didn't know anything but that bike served me well for 6 years. It's now my bad weather and backup bike. After sporadic casual riding for a few years, I got "the addiction" and started riding more and more and fell in love with the sport. I then upgraded to a carbon fiber bike with 105 components and noticed a difference. My LBS was very helpful picking the correct size and fitting me to the bike.

If you enter the sport buying off Craigslist you are essentially on your own. While this forum is a great resource and mildly entertaining, you will receive conflicting advice on everything and have to decide which direction to take. I recommend asking your local shops if there is a club that you can join. There you will be able to meet experienced riders who can help you as well as other new riders that you can learn from each others experiences.

Some come on to this forum and are stressing about one brand or another and at your level, they all make great bikes. So take a few test rides, get some gear and start riding. This is an incredible sport.

And by the way, we're all too fat for this sport.

Dudelsack 

Awesome. Come join us on our group ride. It's just a recovery ride and we'll all be just riding around.No hills to speak of, at least no serious ones. I'm pretty out of shape. I've barely touched my bike all winter. Bad cramps. Back's been acting up. Anyway, you'll be fine. You might want to bring along you cellphone, just in case. It has google maps, doesn't it?

edgamar

Thanks for your support and sharing your experiences. I'm 41 yrs old, 5'7" and 185lbs with once in a while back problems after twisting my back doing squats. I was concern about investing between $900-1,400 in case I can't handle the posture for longer times. I was so close to buy the Orbea Aqua TPX from a local dealer, I really like this bike. I thought of buying a use one then upgrade to a better one down the road after adjusting. I'm trying to learn different aspects of the sport and the components of the bike at the same time.

Vlaam4ever

IF you can confirm that at 52 is the right size for you. I'd offer the guy 300 and see how it goes.

I'd still recommend a new bike only to establish a relationship with an LBS(maybe as a second bike). Getting free tune-ups and helping you keep the bike in tip top shape is a great way to enjoy the hobby. Starting the hobby on your own can be frustrating on a bike that is not tuned and may need replacement parts.

edgamar

Went to the Orbea and Trek dealer and they suggested a 52", I'm in the learning process as well. The seller said that he can go just to $400 and is 2 hours away from me. If I decide to buy a use one I was planning to take it for an inspection/tune up.

edgamar

Thanks for your replies and support, I'm still searching in my area, I was close to go to my LBS and get a new trek but I'm giving a couple of more tries. I contacted this seller and willing to go down to $700, he said that I might need a tune up... Any feedback will be appreciated.

https://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/bik/3691573787.html

https://archive.fujibikes.com/archive...prodname=CCR-3

MetalPedaler

I would NOT buy a new bike at this point. Your first bike is a learning experience. You have to get used to being on a bike again, to even know what feels comfortable and what doesn't; What kind of fit you prefer; What kind of riding you prefer; What features matter to you most on a bike, etc. The only way to learn those things, is to get out there and ride.

Regardless of what you buy, or how much you pay for it, you will likely want something different a year from now. You buy a new bike, you will lose a lot of money if you want to sell it in a year or so. Buy a used bike, you can get decent components without spending a fortune...and likely sell it for as much or more than you paid for it, when and if you want to do so.

It's also good to try owning several different bikes before committing to a major purchase- because you really can't tell much just by a test ride. But by owning and riding several different bikes, you will truly gain a good understanding of what you really like and want. A 52cm is definitely do-able for you...I'd do what the poster above states: Go, and if it's decent, offer the guy $300 (or even $250 to start).

edgamar

Thanks MetalPedaler, I'm kind of in between with deifferent opinions in which I understand each one of them, just have to decide. I found this person (post#8) dropping the bike from $1000 to $700 after I saked about recent tune ups and components. These links show the specs for the bike, which is carbon. Is that to much for the type of bike, any concerns about possible stress on these carbons?

Vlaam4ever

That's a decent price for the bike. However not that he changed this bike into a Time Trial contraption. It looks like he added a riser stem, aero bars, and a new seat. who know what else he changed. These are not upgrades, rather costum parts that you will have to replace.

I recommend a new bike from the local bike shop. Pay a $1000 for a nice aliminium bike and ride this snot out of it.

MetalPedaler

The thing i, buying used carbon is always a risk. CF can have damage which is undetectable to the naked eye...and it can fail catastrophically without warning [Like when you're doing 40MPH down a hill...]...but generally speaking, if you go over the bike carefully, and there appears to be no damage/no cracks/abrasions/scratches/holes....it would probably be O-K.

Nice-looking bike, but like the poster above says- it's been jiggered, and you'd have to make some changes, which would kind of negate the deal. If it were me, for $500 I might be interested, if there's no damage.

I think the important thing, is just to get a bike that's in decent shape and that fits you, and get out there and ride....and learn as you go. (That's what I'm doing!)

edgamar

Sorry about asking so many questions, but is my first road bike since '90, I had a Benotto back then. So all this is new to me again and I'm trying to be a little careful spending my money, either I decide to go with a new or used one. Here are my choices so far;

Seller won't lower this one, he has a Madone as well, https://orlando.craigslist.org/bik/3774711307.html

Seller lowered to $700, he sent me a few more pics and needs a tune up, reason for lowering the price, https://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/bik/3691573787.html

I just need to decide unless keep checking. Last option is a new Trek '12 2.1C or a '13 Madone 2.1C.

Thanks.