Do I buy a lower spec new bike or high spec secondhand?

[TypeR]

I'm returning to cycling after a long time out of the saddle. (My last new road bike was a Coventry Eagle 5 speed in the late '70's)

My LBS can supply a sexy looking entry level Felt F95 for £575, including fitting and and any adjustments needed. However I've seen a well used Ridley Orion with carbon frame and Ultegra groupset that is attracting fairly mediocre interest on Ebay. ( A bit of a clean up & a service would be needed)

The PH bloke that sits on my right shoulder tells me to go for the bling carbon framed bike, whereas Mr sensible on the left says a brand new more expensive bike is more safe and reliable. (Plus I'll be supporting my independant LBS too, which I know is a good thing)

I know Wiggle can supply the Felt for £500, so I've got a bit of room for haggling, but for the £75 difference, I'd rather have the personal fitting and maybe a few freebies.

I know I don't need a Carbon bike with top spec kit, however this IS PH after all!!

I could buy both and transfer the Ultegra kit to the Felt, but that would be silly wouldn't it..............

[Mr E]

I'm currently looking second hand unless someone in a LBS can offer me a stonking deal on a 2010 model...

[itsnotarace]

1. Does the ebay bike fit you?
2. Can you test ride it before purchase?
3. Can you live without a warranty on a "well used" carbon frame?

[anonymous-user]

given its sales time i would say you're best bet is a new bike as some places are already doing considerable discounts. have flick through cycling weekly and see what shops other than the usual suspects are doing discounts.

worthin noting that wiggle let you do a 30 day test ride at home so you can order something and try outa few adjustments to make sure it fits.

[dubbs]

Secondhand purchases can be good if you really know what you're doing and want to take the risk.... carbon frames need to be treated with respect so if you are sure the seller sounds like they have looked after their bike and treated it with kid gloves (like I do mine ) then it would be a smart move. By treating it with kids gloves I don't mean they have hardly used it of course, more that they have decent enough roadskills to not send the bike crashing down every rut and pothole... or crash a lot!

Components wear so expect any ebay purchase to potentially require some replacement parts, if you're lucky it'll not need it but you just never know... most top end parts on a bike would be removed by the seller to place on their new steed if they still had life in them.

New bike, you know where you are, you get a good deal, and kick of the start of a beautiful relationship with your LBS.