Originally Posted by
Panthers007
I new bike is what I'd suggest. You get a warranty for anything that goes wrong - barring accidents and flat tires. And older bike is bound to need parts/repairs. You'll be on your own. Or at the mercy of the bike shop.
I agree with the answer but for a completely different reason.
It's just like buying shoes. Bike fit is a big deal - especially on a road bike. fit affects your comfort, efficiency and performance every single minute that you're riding. Nothing else even comes close in importance. A basic bike that fits trumps a super bike that's too big.
If you buy a new bike from a shop you can basically pick out the model that you want and simply tell them to find you one that fits.
When you buy a used bike there's usually only one. If you don't have the experience to know that you need sizewise, you can't make an intelligent purchase desicion.