Harryh654

Hi All, I have been surfing this site for some time as there is great information here! I am in the market for a used road bike and have found a couple of options in my local marketplace, but am not versed enough to know if these are priced appropriately or which to choose so am turning here for some advice.

Option 1: 2012 Scott Sub 20 Hybrid with both sets of tires included. Mostly in new condition as it has been in storage since the owner purchased it new from REI a couple of years ago (so they claim) - $450
Option 2: Trek 7.4 FX - Used condition, purchased in 2015 - $450

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

-Harry

Iride01 

Likely 9 spd rears on both. Scott probably is hydraulic disc brakes. Trek may or may not depending on if rim or disc.

If everything works and you have to replace nothing, then probably a good buy at half the asking price.

I never had hydraulic disc brakes till last month. I don't know if there are any concerns about these being over five years old and possibly little used or maintained.

Both hybrids......... that's another forum.


For only a little bit more for a total less than 500 bucks, you can get a brand new Trek Marlin 4 or a Trek Verve 1 and other brands too..... with a warranty.

Maelochs

https://archive.trekbikes.com/us/en/...7_4_fx/details

https://www.bikeradar.com/reviews/bi...sub-20-review/

Seems like a decent amount of cash for some possibly elderly bikes. (How did a guy buy a new bike from REI a couple years ago---in 2012? Do I have the date wrong? What year is this? I knew I should have paid attention in math class. )

More generally .... have you ever ridden, do you ride now, how much do you think you will ride how do you think you'd like to ride?

hose are both flat-bar bikes .... most people would say they are best used for shorter rides. Both have widish tires and relatively low gearing---good for carrying loads, climbing steep hills, and generally cruising sort of gently. Neither of these are "Go-fast" bikes.

I assume the Scott comes with 700c and 26" wheels or what does "both sets of tires" mean?

In any case .... Fit is everything and condition is everything else. If the bike doesn't fit you you will not ride it no matter what. And no matter what brand it is or what year, if it is worn out, you will have to lay out considerable money to get it new again (less if you do your own repairs, but i don't think that is you, today at least.)

I don't know what the market is locally. the Scott seems to have retailed for about twice that .... but that was eight years ago. The trek seems to be selling between $300 and $450 at various places around the U.S.

Consider what you can get new for a little more:

https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...liberty_cx.htm Gravity Liberty CX for $400
https://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...alaxy_tour.htm Mercier Galaxy Tour $400

You can often get awesome deals buying used---IF you know exactly what you are buying, what you need, and how much work/cash it will take to get the bike is reliable condition. if you don't know those things ..... I assume you could get either of those bikes for $350 ... and for $50 more you could get a brand new bike which you Knew was in brand new condition.

Whether buying new or used, you would have to take a $50 trip to the local bike shop for a check-up tune-up whether you buy used or new .... unless you are a bike mechanic (it is really very simple by and large, but you don't want to be learning how to wrench when you'd rather be riding.)

I have no idea how you reached this decision, so please, I am not trying to condescend to you. Maybe you have done tons of research and know what size you need, what type of bike you want, and the general market in your area.

if not, I would Strongly suggest going to local bike shops---leave the cash at home----and test-riding some stuff. You can learn what you like, learn what fits, see what's out there, and maybe they will have a used bike which they have already fixed up, which fits you.

Nothing is less fun that getting all excited about the new used bike you just bought, and finding out it needs major maintenance after a couple short rides.

Harryh654

Thank you both for your helpful responses.

Maelochs, I certainly did not take your post as condescending. I found those two bikes for sale on my local online marketplace, but have decided to pass on them in pursuit of something that is new.

Is Bikesdirect.com a reliable place to purchase? As you can see, I am certainly a beginner in this world.

Iride01 

As far as online ordering of bikes, I'd trust them.

But you have to be able to do some assembly. If you aren't familiar with working on bicycles, you might muck something up. And how good are you going to be at following instructions to adjust the derailleurs and brakes?

Then there is sizing. If you can't ride it and haven't ridden something similar, how do you know you'll like it. Might be you aren't a road bike person. A mountain bike or even a cruiser might be a better thing.

big john

It would be very helpful if you could get on a bike and see what fits your body. Maybe you could borrow or even rent one? If you get to ride one around you can measure things and compare those measurements to geometry charts of bikes you are considering.

Don't be intimidated by drop bars. A lot of people think drop handle bars are too low but you can set them up so the top of the bar is the same place as a flat bar bike's bar is.

big john

Friends have had good luck with Bikes Direct. If you don't know how to wrench at all you might find a bike shop mechanic who is willing to help set it up. Ask first.

noodle soup

Sizing would be my main concern with buying from BD, but it can be accomplished if you actually know what you need.

I wouldn’t be too concerned about building one of their bikes. I built 4 of their bikes last week, and other than adjusting the headset and brake pad height(on rim brakes), they all went together well. If you have basic bike tuning skills, assembly shouldn’t be a problem.