Bought a hybrid bicycle but now want a road bike
10-09-13, 12:55 PM
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Bought a hybrid bicycle but now want a road bike
Hello, I am new here and intoduced myself on the newbie page. I am just getting into cycling bought my first bike a couple of months ago. I wasn't sure what I would like to do the most so I went with a hybrid bike as Road bikes are so expensive. Well after a few months I realized road riding is what I will be doing and my hybrid bike with flat handle bars is not very comfortable for long riding. I bought a 2014 model Motobecane elite trail, it is a very nice bike with nice components, disc brakes, lockout front suspension etc. Which leads me to my questions, I have been trying to sell or trade this bike with no luck. I am only asking $335 for it so I am surprised I haven't gotten one call. I paid $375 for it and its only a couple months old with less than 100 miles on it. I have done some research on the bike and from what I've seen people say the parts on this bike are worth more than they sell the bikes for. The list price on them is $700 but bikesdirect sells them cheaper. I have also put on my craigslist add that I would be willing to trade it for a road bike of equal value with no luck. Haven't even had one offer on that part either. I am in the twin cities area of MN, if anyone sees this and would like to trade their used road bike please contact me. I figured I'd post on the hybrid section, maybe someone on here is looking for one. Thanks
10-09-13, 04:21 PM
#2
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"...I am only asking $335 for it so I am surprised I haven't gotten one call. I paid $375 for it and its only a couple months old with less than 100 miles on it..."
If you paid 375 then presumably someone else can pay that as well, for a new bike. To buy a used bike, no matter how pristine, a buyer will likely insist on getting a steeper discount. If you're set on getting a road bike, you probably have to take a bigger loss on the sale of your current bike. Consider it just part of the cost of getting the bike you want.........or maybe just keep 2 bikes.
If you paid 375 then presumably someone else can pay that as well, for a new bike. To buy a used bike, no matter how pristine, a buyer will likely insist on getting a steeper discount. If you're set on getting a road bike, you probably have to take a bigger loss on the sale of your current bike. Consider it just part of the cost of getting the bike you want.........or maybe just keep 2 bikes.
10-09-13, 04:52 PM
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Actually,no,the list price is $375. No-one but BD sells Motobecane.
The only bikes that hold their value are ones that are better than current,or are hard to find. I sold my Trek Portland for about what I paid for it because the components were much better than the current model's,and it was made in USA. Bromptons hold their value because it takes a month or more to custom order one(unless a shop happens to have the model you want) and they rarely update them,so the current models aren't significantly better than slightly older models.
For what you have into the Motobecane,I would keep it,add fenders,and use it for bad weather. Get the road bike for your 'good' bike.
The only bikes that hold their value are ones that are better than current,or are hard to find. I sold my Trek Portland for about what I paid for it because the components were much better than the current model's,and it was made in USA. Bromptons hold their value because it takes a month or more to custom order one(unless a shop happens to have the model you want) and they rarely update them,so the current models aren't significantly better than slightly older models.
For what you have into the Motobecane,I would keep it,add fenders,and use it for bad weather. Get the road bike for your 'good' bike.
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10-09-13, 04:53 PM
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If you paid $375, I would not even consider it unless it were $250 or less. Otherwise I would just pay the $375 and don't have to deal with the risk.
10-09-13, 09:02 PM
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10-10-13, 01:32 AM
#7
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Swap wih this guy https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...-into-a-hybrid
10-14-13, 12:52 PM
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10-15-13, 06:57 PM
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Agree. I started out on a hybrid and still have it. i eventually found a used road bike that i like on CL (although it took many months to find something i liked, in the correct size, for a good price).
10-17-13, 09:56 AM
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Thanks for the replies. I actually ended finding a heck of a deal on a really nice road bike. A 2008 model Specialized Allez elite road bike, I got for $200. Brought it to my local bike shop to have it checked out and was told it didn't even need a tune-up. As far as my Motobecane I had it listed under sporting goods on craigslist instead bicycles. After I reposted it in the right area I have gotten a lot of calls.
10-17-13, 10:05 AM
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This I don't understand. If a person looked at the bike they would see it looks like its never been used. For $40 less you save the hassle of ordering and waiting a week for the bike and the hassle of having to assemble it and get it tuned up which is a minimum of $50 as well. Seems like a good deal to me.
10-18-13, 12:44 PM
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This I don't understand. If a person looked at the bike they would see it looks like its never been used. For $40 less you save the hassle of ordering and waiting a week for the bike and the hassle of having to assemble it and get it tuned up which is a minimum of $50 as well. Seems like a good deal to me.
Have you tried ebay, if you don't mind shipping the bike? It will reach more potential buyers than local CL listing.
10-18-13, 01:40 PM
#13
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This I don't understand. If a person looked at the bike they would see it looks like its never been used. For $40 less you save the hassle of ordering and waiting a week for the bike and the hassle of having to assemble it and get it tuned up which is a minimum of $50 as well. Seems like a good deal to me.
10-19-13, 01:56 PM
#14
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The Elite Trail is currently offered at $349 SRAM, $369 Shimano.
You'd have to be at about $275 +/- to sell it.
You'd have to be at about $275 +/- to sell it.
10-20-13, 02:15 AM
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While I agree for personal financial decisions ... Never underestimate the stupidity of craigslist/eBay users. There's probably someone who would pay sticker price for the thing.
10-20-13, 07:37 AM
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oh well ... you are not alone
10-20-13, 12:06 PM
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You could always just add more mountain ready tires and fenders to it and keep it as a bad weather / winter bike but you said you were already getting calls on it. Good luck with selling it! Craigslist can always be hit or miss, remember that!
10-20-13, 02:17 PM
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I've been bitten by bike fever as well and now want a road bike to go along with (not replace!) my hybrid. However, I'm actively searching the Police Auction website here in Stockholm every day for a cheap road bike I can take my time fixing up. I'm thinking that the extended time I use to fix it will allow me to purchase better parts bit by bit rather than lesser parts all at once. And since I still have my hybrid, it will get good use while I'm fixing the road bike.
10-24-13, 04:53 PM
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As someone who just purchased their first bike in some 35 years, I looked at used and new. I always compare the prices if possible to the comparable product when looking at used. A $40 difference in price would make me pass right way. From my LBS I'd get at least 2 free tune ups when purchasing new and a warranty, far exceeding the $40 and chance I'd be taking on buying something off of CL.
10-25-13, 05:43 AM
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That is similar to my experience. Fifteen years ago I bought a comfort bike but soon wanted a mountain bike. I ride about 4000 miles per year and divide those miles among the bikes listed to the left. Save $ for the road bike and keep the hybrid. It is the bike in certain situations. In my case, my friends and I ride hybrids on the paved bike trails after dark through the winter. These spirited rides are safer without the baby strollers and joggers. It is so much better than the trainer.
10-25-13, 07:31 AM
#21
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Thanks for the replies. I actually ended finding a heck of a deal on a really nice road bike. A 2008 model Specialized Allez elite road bike, I got for $200. Brought it to my local bike shop to have it checked out and was told it didn't even need a tune-up. As far as my Motobecane I had it listed under sporting goods on craigslist instead bicycles. After I reposted it in the right area I have gotten a lot of calls.
How is this even possible?
That is a wonderful bike...
10-25-13, 09:23 AM
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10-30-13, 06:33 AM
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While your implication that its stolen is likely true, it could also be priced by somebody that doesn't know its value.
there's an old saying that people apply to guns, bikes, guitars, etc: "My biggest nightmare is that my wife thinks I died and sells my ______ (bikes/guns/guitars/other pricey toy) for the price I told her I paid for them."
Good one!
10-31-13, 09:19 PM
#25
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Actually,no,the list price is $375. No-one but BD sells Motobecane.
The only bikes that hold their value are ones that are better than current,or are hard to find. I sold my Trek Portland for about what I paid for it because the components were much better than the current model's,and it was made in USA. Bromptons hold their value because it takes a month or more to custom order one(unless a shop happens to have the model you want) and they rarely update them,so the current models aren't significantly better than slightly older models.
For what you have into the Motobecane,I would keep it,add fenders,and use it for bad weather. Get the road bike for your 'good' bike.
The only bikes that hold their value are ones that are better than current,or are hard to find. I sold my Trek Portland for about what I paid for it because the components were much better than the current model's,and it was made in USA. Bromptons hold their value because it takes a month or more to custom order one(unless a shop happens to have the model you want) and they rarely update them,so the current models aren't significantly better than slightly older models.
For what you have into the Motobecane,I would keep it,add fenders,and use it for bad weather. Get the road bike for your 'good' bike.