New vs used?
 

Hi! I'm new to bikes but have been bicycling to work for a couple months now and want to continue. It's a 13 mile trip one way. I've been riding a busted up Pacific piece of junk I got for $20 and would like to upgrade. My budget is around 400. I'd like something with a good quality frame, the components I can always upgrade later. Also a low number of gears ,maybe 3. So my question is, is it a better plan to pay extra at my local shop for a new bike, or scour ebay and craigslist for a nicer, older bike at the same price? I want something that will last a very long time.

For example, would this be a good deal?-
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-MIYA...item20de8db51c

Sorry I'm sure you guys get this a lot. Any suggestions? Thanks a lot!

I would look at new that are available at the LBS ,keepscouring craigs list as well. What size bike are you lookng for? I have a Cannandale street that I had tried to sell over a year ago , its a large . I am 5' 11"

Start by shopping around the bike shops to see what is available and what they feel like. While you can get good deals on used bikes off ebay and CL, if you are not somewhat knowledgeable you won't really know what you're getting. The ebay listing above is a good example, I don't think that's a good deal at all. That looks like a mid 80s type of bike and you can get those cheaper. A good deal on that bike would be ~200. If you are buying used you want it to feel like you're ripping off the seller, while the seller is still thinking "good, I got rid of it and got some cash". Both sides are happy.

I would say a used bike from either a co-op or local purchase, maybe Craigslist, where you can actually try the bike out before you purchase. Co-ops also have parts for cheap. Put the word out to everyone you know that you are looking for a new bike. One factor to keeping your costs down is if you are willing to learn basic maintenance and repairs? That will give you a huge advantage when buying used. Also is your bicycle the only means of transportation to work? (That might require 2 bicycles so while one is being worked on the other is rideable, so keep your existing one) Do you have other transportation so that you can pick up a bike from someone on Craigslist?

Addendum: I have been scanning Craigslist for a couple months and there is never a shortage of very rideable bikes in the $150 or less range. Most need cleaned, greased, maybe tires, cables, breaks - the usual stuff that wears out anyway.

The bike featured on the eBay advert would make a very good commuter. The price is not a bargain, however.

I would try to find a touring or sports/touring bike, like the Miyata. However, I would shop locally on Craigslist and inspect the bike before buying. You will also save shipping costs.

These are better deals if the size and style suits you.

http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...58_-1___202396

http://media.nashbar.com/images/nash...K-NCL-SIDE.jpg
http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...53_-1___202396

http://media.nashbar.com/images/nash...5-NCL-SIDE.jpg
http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...66_-1___203559
http://media.nashbar.com/images/nash...B-CXI-SIDE.jpg

That bike would be great!
I think you could get it for less, I would try to pay less, but for what you are doing, its already set up, so it might actually be a bargain.
I only use Craigslist and cheepo bikes. I have never paid more than 125.00 for a bike. You don't need a lot of money to make a decent
commuter. My personal recipe that has worked well for a decade, is a 125.00 Craigslist bike~ old japanese steel for the 70's or 80's.
A set of Schwalbe or Gatorskin type puncture resistant tires(A MUST!!) and a mirror and set of lights that I recycle from bike to bike.
For 300.00 you can build a commuter that will give you a few good years of service with a little maintenance. It doesn't have to be
expensive or complicated. When people first start commuting, they buy a bike, and almost invariably, after they accumulate some
miles and experience, they go for another bike more fitting of where they are, currently. If you go with old japanese steel, there is
no way you will be too far off in the start, and you will not have a large expenditure of money already put out on a bike you don't
want to ride any more.
In summation, I always recommend cheap and uncomplicated. Its not hard at all, anything will work! Have fun! :)

fify

Right on! :thumb:

But remember, buying used, sometimes requires some mechanical skills to get things right. But that should be requisite for dedicated bike commuters, anyway.

One of the local bike shops in my area sells used bikes on consignment. That might not be an option where you live, but it could be worth looking into. If they do, you'd likely get a MUCH better bike than you would spending the same amount on a new big box store bike.

While different local bike shops have different characters, checking out yours certainly won't hurt. LBS also tend to be more helpful to customers who buy bikes from them than to customers who buy elsewhere and then turn to the shop for help after the fact.

Good point +1

http://www.hampshirebicycleexchange.com/used-bikes

Heres a web site i keep an eye on for used bikes i think they ship as well.

Thats a great site :thumb:

When I lived in New England, I would go to yard sales and buy really nice Peugeots, Motobecanes and other "Great Era" bikes for 5.00 - 15.00 dollars. I had a whole workshop full of them. :eek: I think with their brutal winters, there is a surplus of very gently used bikes in that area of the country. Just a theory, but 4 states later, Ive never seen as many vintage units available for so little :)

I commute on used bikes. I find they generally need $100 in repairs, like a new bottom bracket or new rear hub etc. yet I still end up with a better deal than a new bike.

Thanks for all the replies! I guess my first step will be test riding a few different styles at my local shop, then search for the perfect used one until I find it or run out of patience and buy new. Good point about holding on to my current bike, hadn't considered that. Biking is my only mode of transportation. Now assuming pretty good condition, can I expect a used bike from any of the brand names I keep seeing like Trek, Raleigh, Giant, etc. to be quality bikes?

You can usually expect Trek, Giant, Cannondale, Specialized and a few others to be quality bikes. Raleigh isn't the same company it was 30 years ago. I don't know much about them anymore. I actually interviewed for a job with them when they moved to Seattle but I think they were all downhill from there.