I'm a novice and still learning about road bikes and want to get into a carbon fiber bike. While I'm getting more and more familiar with components and terminology, it's still a challenge. I'm tempted to save some dough on used but afraid I don't know enough to get what I really want and need. Should I go new or used? Thanks for any shared expertise out there.

My trek 1995 oclv carbon mountain was used and works fine, stay with in your budget and have fun riding it.

get used, ride it hard, see if you like it, meanwhile, save up cash so when you do want to get a new bike, you can.

Are you asking about a carbon road bike or an MTB?

If an MTB, carbon is still a high end material, and it's only in the last couple of years that mid range bikes have come out in carbon; also, given that the geometery of MTB's is still evolving, getting anything old will mean it won't ride as well as a new bike, standards a constantly changing as well, with hub sizes, headsets, handlebars etc all still changing.

You need to identify you riding type, bike type (rigid, HT / FS) wheel size (26" 29er or 650b) and budget, as all of these will have an impact on what to get, and even if any used bikes in that catagory exist

I almost always buy used and here's my logic: I can either pay $$ for a decent bike brand new or I can pay $$ for a $$$ awesome bike that is used. I'd much rather get the best equipment I can for my dollar than have ok stuff that is shiny for a month or two.

+1, I do the same as lotekmod. Within the last year I purchased a used dual sus and hardtail Stumpjumpers for less than the cost of one new one. Both were in very good condition and well worth the price. However, I'd be very careful about buying used carbon frames. If at all possible, buy locally and ask the seller to meet you at your bike shop where a qualified mechanic can look over the frame before you buy. I did that on a used carbon MTB. The mechanic reviewing it noted that the model I was considering was known for having bottom bracket mount/housing problems and when the bottom bracket mount/housing went, the frame was worthless. I dodged that bullet and passed on the frame. Recommend you do the same if you're buying composite. I did NOT have the alloy bikes inspected but only had very minor problems with each

You can usually always get a steal with 2nd hand bikes. find out what cycling clubs are in your area and find their websites. Ive found most club websites have some form of classifieds section. Not only do you get everyone else getting rid of their entry level bikes to pay for their new pimped DI2 machines, most of the bikes are quality bikes that have been used for club racing so your not going to get a kmart bike or the like. and for a double wammy you can start learning about the cycling clubs culture, 'newbie days', 'development programs' and overall, more helpful info you would need to get into cycling.

Are we taking road bikes here, or mountain bikes?