Used expensive bike or new cheap bike?

wingnutLP
wingnutLP Posts: 24
edited July 2008 in MTB buying advice
Hi There I am new to the forum and the sport and was hoping for a little advice...

I am looking at either a new 07 or 08 Giant Terrago or GT Avalanche 2.0 or 1.0. Thanks very much for the buying guide, it was most useful :)

OR a used bike

I have found an Orange EVO2 with some extra bits for about £400

I am not in any rush but generally whayt is better a well maintained but a couple of yers old that was £1000 when new or a new £400-£500 one?

Thanks for any input :)

Comments

  • passout
    passout Posts: 4,425
    Depends on how the Orange has been treated but yes it could be a better detail.

    Think about riding style & terrain first - be precise about what you want and then look out for bargains. If you are after an XC rig then the orange would be a gppd choice - if it fits.
    'Happiness serves hardly any other purpose than to make unhappiness possible' Marcel Proust.
  • funkydung
    funkydung Posts: 116
    Get the orange if it's in good nick and the right size, you will only wish you had bought the Orange if you get the others???
  • wingnutLP
    wingnutLP Posts: 24
    Thanks

    Riding style is newbie moderate speed all mountain combined with occasional towpath jaunts.

    I am very unlikely to be able to try the orange before I buy but it seems like a good spec and price...

    Forgetting particular brands and models would people on here generally go for a well maintained second hand or a new?
  • gbrnole
    gbrnole Posts: 395
    well maintained second hand for me especially for full suss bikes if your on a budget.
    Ibis Mojo SL-r
  • Chaka Ping
    Chaka Ping Posts: 1,451
    I'd probably go secondhand if it were simply a choice between new at list price or secondhand, but it's not.

    There are plenty of new bikes out there at decent discounts because they're from 2007 or earlier.

    Here are a handful that may suit you:

    Lovely steel hardtail...
    http://www.winstanleysbikes.co.uk/produ ... _Bike_2007

    Alumininium XC machine...
    http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.p ... T_XTC_2.5_

    Great alu frame...
    http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.p ... Suspension

    And slightly over budget, but the option to go full-sus with a good frame at a silly price...
    http://www.paulscycles.co.uk/products.p ... _TRANCE_3_
  • wingnutLP
    wingnutLP Posts: 24
    Thanks for the links, some of Paul's cycles offers look particularly tasty. :)

    I don't think I can stretch above 500 for my first proper bike, I would rather buy one and make sure I actually use it!

    The 07 avalanche 1.0 looks good at 450...

    More reading for me and I think I will keep an eye on the bay for a while.

    Any places other than E bay to buy?
  • supersonic
    supersonic Posts: 82,708
    New rider? Don't forget what a new bike from a good shop can offer - tests, free set up, services, and warranty. This can be very useful to a beginner.

    I recommend all newcomers to the sport buy from a local dealer where they can see the bike and try them.
    GT ZASKAR CARBON TEAM

    VOODOO CANZO

    Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
  • batch78
    batch78 Posts: 1,320
    I second Supersonics wise advice.

    There'll still be bargains to have when your a little more experianced and realise you enjoy the sport.
  • wingnutLP
    wingnutLP Posts: 24
    Can someone take a look at e bay item 200237624392?

    Is this a real orange bike? E bay image search doesn't bring up this colour scheme so I can't date it...

    Thanks :D

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