Do you have Craig's list in Canada??? If not, you are on your own to find a value. I looked for a day or two before I found a used "value". It was a five year old bike that had been ridden a half dozen times. She had paid $700 for at the LBS. I gave her $200.

Your 60/40% bike/options ratio is a valid point, although it is based upon your purchase price and your requirements for additional features. I have spent $150 above my original investment in lights, rack, helmet, lubes, locks and "emergency stuff". And that is for cheap stuff. My lights, lock, lubes and the like are closeout, low end stuff..........and I still don't have a spare tube or a lot of flat repair stuff.

I always thought that the helmet was a "let those who ride decide" deal. Not with my current, and hopefully..last wife. Sixty bucks for a close-out deal. That's all I could afford right now.

The basic helmet/price deal is to figure out how much your head is worth and buy a helmet that matches your figure.........or wallet.

100 views, no replies. I guess they all figured that you had right to start with, you did present quite a few valid points. Buy the best you can at the best price you can..........and don't worry about used. If they are legit, meet them at the LBS they bought it from. Then you get to meet them as a new owner of their product.