breanain

I'm looking to get back into road biking and have been looking around the local classifieds and shops for a bike. I've found a couple used options and a couple new options, and would appreciate some input on whether these are good deals -- or what the best deal would be, all things considered. I know the Allez will ride differently from the Secteur/Roubaix, so I'm more interested in your thoughts on price/value, as I'm not as familiar with that. I might get into racing at some point, but in general I'll be using the bike for exercise -- probably both longer rides and shorter, faster rides.

Used Option 1: 2010 Allez Comp Compact: $1000. Apparently never ridden. Stock.
https://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/B...e#.UBkpo5GYTTo

Used Option 2: 2007 Roubaix Elite Triple: $900. Being sold on behalf of a friend, but in good shape so far as the seller can tell (no crashes, scratches, etc.). Not sure how many miles are on the bike. Stock, as far as I can tell.
https://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/B...e#.UBkjXJGYTTp

New Option 1: 2012 Allez Comp: $1475.
https://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/B...e#.UBkqo5GYTTo

New Option 2: 2012 Secteur Comp: $1520. (There is no new Roubaix on the list because $1500 is my absolute maximum price, thus the reason for looking at used bikes.)
https://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/B...e#.UBkqnJGYTTo

So, how do these options stack up against one another as far as price/value is concerned? Is the benefit of buying new (I think I get one free tune-up and the warranty, along with new components) worth the extra $500-600? I might be able to get the LBS to work with me on price a little, especially as it's getting later in the year, but I'm not too hopeful.

Many thanks in advance.

Elduderino2412

For about $100 more than "new option 2" you can get a CAAD10-5 or even better option for $300 more you can get a CAAD10-4(if you like SRAM). Is specialized only brand you want?

echotraveler

Get a new bike.

Consider other brands/models like caad.


Overall the Allez seems like the best pick for a racy bike. Try to get 105 or apex.

Bacciagalupe

I for one am not a fan of used, unless you are a halfway decent mechanic or want to develop that skill. Any used bike can quickly turn into a money pit.

There is basically no real difference between the major manufacturers. Cannondale, Specialized, Trek, Giant, etc... They all make excellent bikes, they all use nearly identical components and nearly identical design philosophies.

Thus, we can look at this in broader strokes. Long story short: An endurance bike will give you a cushier ride, with almost no losses in performance. 90% of it is merely differences in ride feel.

So, just do a few test rides on the Allez and the Secteur, or the CAAD and the Synapse, and see what offers you a road feel you prefer.

breanain

I mentioned Specialized because that's what my local shop carries, and I found some used options as well. I was mostly interested in 'comparing apples to apples'. Between a new Allez vs. a used Allez, which is a better value for the money? Between a new Secteur vs. an older used Roubaix, which is a better value?

I don't know the fine details about these frames as much as people here do, so that's why I asked. For example, I know a Roubaix is a carbon frame, but is a 2007 Roubaix a better frame than a 2012 Secteur? Was the 2007 Roubaix not such a great year in general and better avoided than purchased? Given its age, is a 2007 Roubaix even worth $900? Are the benefits of buying a new 2012 Allez worth $500 compared to a used 2010 model?

The fit question I can figure out by going to the LBS (which I plan to do on Thursday evening). The value question I don't know so much, so that's why I asked here.

What is the main concern for a bike turning into a 'money pit'? Just normal wear and tear that would take longer to show up on a new bike (truing wheels, replacing cables, etc.), or the lack of LBS service, or larger problems that I couldn't fix with a bit of know-how (like frame problems or parts breaking irreparably)?

I guess what I'm getting at is... for example, the Roubaix is a good $600 less than a new bike, and is carbon rather than aluminum. Given the fact that it is used, may need a bit more work than a brand new bike, etc... does that mean it's not really a very good deal at that price point?

Like most people, probably, I am a bit constrained in my budget (maybe at a different price point, but whatever), so I'm trying to figure out how to best spend on a new bike. (It should be said that I have clothing, shoes, pedals, a helmet, etc.).

Thanks again for the responses. Any other input would of course be appreciated.

berner

I ride an aluminum Secteur and can tell you what I like about the bike. It is sturdy and versatile and will take up to 28mm tires. It has mount points for a rear rack to which I can hang panniers. I went on a week-end tour a week ago with 20 lbs. loaded in the panniers. Aluminum frames are reputed to ride harshly but with 25 or 28 mm tires I find the ride comfy - this from a man with a bad back. With larger tires I don't worry about a bit of debris on the road and, in fact, ride on a wooded trail occasionally. This model has long chainstays and a long wheelbase whch is what makes light touring possible.

The Secteur above would be a fine choice especially for less money.

Bacciagalupe

New bikes get frame warranties; used bikes don't. As you mentioned, no free support from LBS. You also don't really know what shape it's in, until you've put miles on it. It's not like bikes come with an odometer that is illegal to roll back.

Again if you know how to wrench, it's not a big deal. If you don't, you run the risk of wasting more money on repairs than you saved up front.

If your budget is limited, the Secteur Sport / Allez Sport is around $1000. They are functionally identical to a $1500 new bike, 5 year-old Roubaix or 2 year-old "never ridden"Allez. Keep in mind 2012 Sora got a bump up in quality and dropped the thumb paddle shifters, so it's basically the same as Tiagra from a year or two ago. "Tourney" is now the low-end road gruppo.

echotraveler

Warranty.

TrojanHorse

I'd get the roubaix for $900 for a couple reasons.

a) it's a damn nice riding frame
b) it's your cheapest option and you can probably resell it in a couple years if/when your tastes in bikes change.
c) mo money in your pocket for the rest of the stuff you'll need (bike gear, wheels, tubes etc.)

I think you can turn any bike into a money pit if you let your local shop do all the maintenance. it's not hard, youtube can help.

breanain

Sorry for the delayed reply, and thanks again for the input. I held off on buying a CL bike and am going to try to find a reasonable deal from a local shop. I found one not too too far away that sells Cannondale, so I will check out the CAAD10 or CAAD8 as well as the Allez/Secteur. Thanks again.