Actually, that's not why at all. Knowing that I'm buying junk that ill have to repair is fine with me. I have no problem admitting that. I thought I made that pretty clear in the OP. I'm looking for opinions. Even if I buy a used bike off CL for this price range, its going to need work. Any used bike under $150 is more than likely going to need a tune up at leasdt, possibly tires/brakes/bar wrap. So we hats the difference between going new or going old, when both will require immediate upgrades? Though the brand new one will at least be rideable after tightening it up.