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Road Cycling “It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle.” -- Ernest Hemingway

Used or new? So many questions

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Old 07-22-10, 05:59 AM
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Used or new? So many questions


So I'm finally convinced it is time to retire my 33 year old Puch to just commuting and get something better for my longer rides ( 50+). I really like the Synapse and the Z85 that I tried at the LBS but there are soooo many used bikes out there, I'm wondering if I should opt for used and use the savings for upgrades. So 2 questions ...
1. Is new much better than say a 5 year old bike?
2. What else is similar to the Synapse and Z series that I should consider?

Thanks for your help.
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Old 07-22-10, 07:13 AM
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I'd pay MORE for a used bike, if it was previously ridden by Sung-Hi Lee.

Last edited by Uni-Vibe; 07-22-10 at 03:40 PM.
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Old 07-22-10, 07:28 AM
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i would prefer to buy a new one. remember that when you purchase a used bike, say 5 years old, you inherit all the problems associated with the bike. save the money for upgrades? more of repairs and upkeep.

i would prefer a Brand New lower level (say Shimano 105) to a 5+ year old Shimano Ultegra drive components. These are mechanical parts that wear.

The biggest advantage of brand new from the LBS is warranty, free adjustment service (some limited, some lifetime), technical assistance, properly fitted bike, etc.
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Old 07-22-10, 07:45 AM
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Specialized Roubaix will be similar to those two models. Look for long wheelbases. I also believe (not 100% sure) that any bike model ending with Roubaix will be a relaxed frame because of the cobbles in the Paris-Roubaix.
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Old 07-22-10, 10:02 AM
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Originally Posted by chado445510
Specialized Roubaix will be similar to those two models. Look for long wheelbases. I also believe (not 100% sure) that any bike model ending with Roubaix will be a relaxed frame because of the cobbles in the Paris-Roubaix.
I think Fuji's Roubaix has an aggressive geometry. Those rebels.
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Old 07-22-10, 11:37 AM
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Originally Posted by ls0725
i would prefer to buy a new one. remember that when you purchase a used bike, say 5 years old, you inherit all the problems associated with the bike. save the money for upgrades? more of repairs and upkeep.

i would prefer a Brand New lower level (say Shimano 105) to a 5+ year old Shimano Ultegra drive components. These are mechanical parts that wear.

The biggest advantage of brand new from the LBS is warranty, free adjustment service (some limited, some lifetime), technical assistance, properly fitted bike, etc.
That is exactly the kind of information I was looking for. Thanks. I was noticing that I could get a 5 year old Ultegra equiped bike for the price of a new 105 equiped bike but I did not have a feel for how much they would wear in that time or the relative quality. I think I'll stick to a new bike.

I found a local bike shop that has been extremely helpful in answering my questions and they handle Cannondale and Felt, which is why am leaning to those. But there is another LBS that was almost as good that sells Cervelo (outside my budget), Bianchi, Jamis and Scott. I don't know of a Specialized dealer in my area and the Trek and Giant dealers seemed less than helpful.

"because of the cobbles in the Paris-Roubaix" I wondered where Roubaix came from ... ooops my newbee is showing.
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