Hi,

I'm hoping to glean some advice from all of the experts here!!

I have about $1K (give or take) to spend on a road bike, to replace my Giant OCR3 that was stolen last week. Obviously, I can get more for my money with a used bike, but I also know that I won't get the service a lbs offers, and I also (possibly) inherit somebody else's problems.

On the used side, I found a 2008 Trek 2.3 that was used and maintained by a place that does bike tours. They want about $850 out the door for this bike, and they claim to have maintained the bike all last year, and that it has less than 1000 miles on it.

We all know what you can get for $1000 in the new road department, so no need to go on there.

My question is: do you think I'd be better off buying new, and getting the hand-holding from my lbs, vs. buying this used bike? I'm not the handiest with a wrench, but did a bit of my own maintenance on my OCR.

Thanks, all for letting me post the noob question!

Tom

Caad 9

That's a nice looking bike, and appears to be pretty much all 105 components.

I'll add it to the list.

This time of year, there will be all kinds of good quality used bikes popping up on Craig's List, etc as people w/ more money than you and I buy new rides. See if they'll let you take it to the LBS and get it looked over before committing your $$.

$1,000.00 (more or less) can get you into a new bike with 105. If you want better, you'll have to go used.