Do I buy an awesome second hand bike or a good new bike?

andyedwardsster

I am returning to cycling after many years absence. I need to buy a new bike fairly soon and have a dilemma:

1) Do I buy an awesome second hand bike - have seen a Colnago Extreme Power with Campag Record groupset; well looked after probably 2007/8?

or

2) Do I buy a brand new really good second tier bike, thinking about a Trek 5.9 with SRAM Focus groupset 2010 spec. Will come with 12 months warranty?


I am planning to do club runs (fast-ish), tough Sportifs (Fred Whitton, Etape) and possibly road racing at a low level.

I'd appreciate some thoughts. I love Colnago, it's classy; but the Trek/SRAM spec is really good.

Thanks

Anonymous

Used.

maddog 2

If you know what you're doing, then used.

Barrie_G

And yet another vote for used, if you know what you're doing and can check the bike over to make sure it's sound then you should usually get a lot more for your money from the used sector.

andyedwardsster

The Extreme Power frame is a better frame than the Trek, but I'm hearing good things about the SRAM groupset. I read somewhere the SRAM Focus is lighter than the Campagn Record. I'm guessing the Colnago will have really good wheels, which could be the clincher if you pardon the pun!

On a £££ level, they are about the same price but the outlet I would buy the Trek from offers interest free credit which is handy.

Heart says Colnago, head says Trek, but feeling more Colnago than Trek as things stand!

gabriel959

I suppose you mean SRAM Force not Focus????

andyedwardsster

Yes! Bear with me ... I'm only just getting back up to speed in more ways than one!!

Mothyman

I'm a newbie..but I'd vote for the Trek..its new, its never been ridden and its all yours!....then upgrade, add on, build a nother bike with the cast offs...all good fun for the future...

let us know the decision

mrushton

+1 for used. 2 of my Serottas were used and I got them for a good price. The Extreme Power is a lovely bike - a C40 for the 21st Century? When the Trek is 'outdated' your EP will still be attracting envious looks. You can replace the groupset when you have had some use out of it and the current SRAM group is being superceded so you can buy it discounted

edhornby

andyedwardsster wrote:

The Extreme Power frame is a better frame than the Trek,

I'm guessing the Colnago will have really good wheels, which could be the clincher if you pardon the pun!

On a £££ level, they are about the same price

but I'm hearing good things about the SRAM groupset. I read somewhere the SRAM Force is lighter than the Campagn Record.

If you think that the colnago has a better frame, and maybe better wheels, then it's the one to go for

sram force may be a little lighter than record but not by very much in the grand scheme of things - it's the frame and wheelset that are the real heart of the bike - most importantly does the colnago fit you ?

giant_man

Colnago vs Trek? Campag Record vs Sram Red?

No competition! its the Italian every time.

Mothyman

...looks like I'm on my own with Trek advice mate....told you I was a newbie (but I bet all these guys advising you didnt buy second hand). ha ha

Escargot

Is there a point at which a newer bike will have lesser componentry but will have improved to a level where the gap between older, pricier gear has been reduced ?

I keep reading the new Shimano 105 & Ultegra is now basically a slightly watered down version of yesteryears' Ultegra & Dura Ace so given a few years frame/component advancement is there ultimately going to be a massive gap between the two ? :?

Personally I'd buy new as I like the feeling that I know exactly how it's been treated from day 1.

tenor

mrushton
Mark
I noticed on the Forum that you have Serotta bikes. I am considering a used Coeur de Acier - the one with carbon stays. Have you any experience of these?
Thanks
Terry

JamesB

Probably used subject to knowing how much use, how much care and general condition; 07/08 Record still has to be pretty good---but check for whether you may need to soon replace components eg chain / cassette / tyres as this can rapidly add up esp if replacing with Record bits

tenor

Colnago + Record v something from the USA - if only my buying choices were that simple!
Have the frame checked out, put on a new saddle and bar tape and call it yours...

mrushton

tenor wrote:

mrushton
Mark
I noticed on the Forum that you have Serotta bikes. I am considering a used Coeur de Acier - the one with carbon stays. Have you any experience of these?
Thanks
Terry

Yes, we had one with steel stays and what a lovely bike. I think the carbon stays will make it even better.One of the owners of Cyclefit has one (in pink!). The CdA is a classic steel bike, very comfortable etc. The one we had (it was my partners bike( was obtained second hand and the original owner actually swapped his higher grade Serotta Nove (Ti/Carbon) with us to get his CdA back!

mrushton

Mothyman wrote:

...looks like I'm on my own with Trek advice mate....told you I was a newbie (but I bet all these guys advising you didnt buy second hand). ha ha

Eer, if you read my post you'll see I got my Serottas either used or discounted. We've had 4 x serottas and 3 of them were used.

In response to the OP, good as the Trek is, it has to be the Colnago, if it fits and it's in good order. I've had both makes and both are great bikes, but the EP is a league above the Trek imo trust me, when you get to a cafe stop nobody is going to congratulate on buying the Trek, but the EP will always attract admirers.

Escargot

mrushton wrote:

I've had both makes and both are great bikes, but the EP is a league above the Trek imo trust me, when you get to a cafe stop nobody is going to congratulate on buying the Trek, but the EP will always attract admirers.

LOL that's the funniest thing I've read in a while.

I wish I had thought of that when I bought a bike so that other riders could stroke my c0ck every time I stopped at a cafe

+1 for the Colnago

mrushton

Yes, but after a while all that stroking gave me sores. It is true that a Colnago even the now 'oudated' C40 still attract admiration. Form really did follow function in the Colnago factory. They still look good now but the EP/EPS look a league above the others (as they should)

Slow Liam

+1 for used

In my experience buying a used bike is great if you are patient and know what you want.

As soon as a new bike is out of the shop the value plummets, if you are buying secondhand you take advantage of that, rather than being a victim of it.

However, if you rush into it headlong and buy the first secondhand bike you see you're gonna end up with something that doesn't fit you, has problems you didn't initially notice or that you just don't like that much.

New bikes are now more expensive, so its a good time to buy secondhand.

If you wait and find something that fits you and has the spec you want, or can be upgraded, and you know isn't nicked, then you might get a bargin. If you see something that doesn't have any major drawbacks then you should go for it!

A lot of "off the shelf" bikes have crap wheelsets, so you will probably be upgrading componentry on a new bike.

You could consider getting hold of a secondhand frameset and building it up to your spec. The frame and forks are the most important parts, as almost everything else is going to need replacing at some point. Then you will end up with a bike that rides like new and has saved you money.

nicensleazy

I would say the Colnago......you will get a better bike for your money!

STEFANOS4784

Probably being an idiot but what is the 5.9? Ican't find any spec on t'internet :?

neil²

I bought my beloved Ridley used - I have no hesitation in advising you to do the same. My advice would be to keep back a bit of cash just in case you need to replace worn chainrings, cassettes, etc. and consider paying for a full-on setup.