[aeonderdonk]

I have been cycling as a hobby/for exercise/commute to work regularly since 2006. My annual routine seems to be as such:
-Springtime comes, start to ride
-Ride every day in the summer (~1 hour (15 miles), some longer rides)
-Ride most days in the fall (~1 hour)
-Gets cold, stop riding

I started out on a Raleigh Mojave 4.0 hard tail mountain bike and rode mostly on greenway style paths, some offroad, no serious single-track or jumps or anything

I then inherited a Univega Via Carisma commuter-esque bike from a friend's dad and wanted to take on some longer rides (~20-30 miles). I usually took a 2 hour ride on the weekends.

I am interested in getting into road biking more, doing 20-30 mile rides more regularly, and trying to do some 40-50 mile rides. I am in the market for a bike and my friend's dad is offering me his spare road bike. I was hoping to spend ~$600 on a road bike but he is offering me a pretty sweet bike (more bike than I need) for a good deal for $1k. Should I spend more upfront and get the higher end bike? What do you think?

The Roadbike he is offering me is a 2003 Klein Q with Full DuraAce and FSA RD600 wheels. I've ridden it once and seemed like a good fit sizewise, I'm 6'2 an it's a 60cm bike. He crashed it once and it has a small dent on the top tube but it's in great shape and been well maintained.

Any advice or opinions are greatly appreciated.

[jagonz456]

I think that spending 1,000 on a 7 year old bike is a lot of money. I would buy a new bike from a bike shop. You will be able to get the bike fitted for you. Bike fitting is very important especially to a new rider. most bike shops will also give you free maintenance. you can pick up a decent bike with 105 group for around 1,000. Every year Shimano makes changes to its components so buying new you will benefit from all the new changes. So if your reading this and you are still thinking about picking up a dented 7 year old bike for a 1,000 then thats they way you should go.

[baj32161]

Agreed...while Klein made some good (and beautiful) bikes, $1000 for a dented 7 yr old bike is a bit steep, even if it IS equipped with Dura Ace, I would not buy it. That kind of money can get you a pretty nice new bike, like a Cannondale Synapse 6 or a Giant Defy 2 (I own neither of these by the way) for around $1100, but remember they are brand new with no dents. Plus you have the support of the shop from which you bought it and a warranty from the mfr. These are more important than you may imagine. Plus you will be able to get fitted properly and likely have free tune-ups in the package as well. Don't worry about the component group as technology has trickled down much over 7 years, and Shimano Tiagra from now will likely perform as well as used Dura Ave from 2003. In addition, now you have the option of compact double chainrings which give you most of the gear options of a triple ring, should you need it without the shifting issues that supposedly come with the triple. Having said that, I have a triple and have had no issues with it in my 6 years of owning my bike (I have a LeMond). Also you may want to check out an online shop called Road Bikes and Bicycles, Mountain Bikes and Bicycles, Save Up To 60% Off with Bikesdirect.com, New with full warranties which offers some pretty darned good values on some nicely equipped road bikes. Just make sure you get one that fits you. I would guess that, with all of the riding you have been doing that you have some idea of the size you need. Whatever you do, as much as you want a new bike...I remember that feeling oh so well...don't jump on the first offer you get. This is the fun part, do your research and ask around...this place is a good start, and have fun.

Cheers,

Brian J.

[Skidmark]

I know zilch about road bikes! That said, I have to agree that since its a first road bike to go with a LBS purchace to get the year of free adjustments / tuning, and some of the latest tech on your bike. I just did the same thing actually. I looked at a ton of used bikes, online bikes. Ended up back at my LBS. Did not have the cash to lay down on what I wanted and did not want to settle for something less. They let me use a lay away plan. My decicion was a Specialized Alez Elite, 09 model discounted down to 1100. Not as cool as a Klein, but its new, fits me right, etc. We were on a 25 mile ride Sunday when my Crosstrail was not shifting right. Just so happend that the ride route went by the LBS. We wheeled in, they stopped fixed it quickly and sent us on our way no charge.

[jwl325]

Agree with the guys above--there are some pretty nice new bikes out there today for $1K, not counting the intangibles of getting a good fitting, have a relationship with the bike shop guy in the unlikely event something goes wrong with the bike, and so on.

And maybe most intangible of all, but you will have the security/joy of knowing every mile you've put on the bike.

For me anyway, it was important to to go new for my first bike, as I felt there was just too much to learn/absorb to take a chance on used. Were I to add another roadie in the future, I might be willing to try the used market for some decent savings, having gained a little more knowledge about what works for me on a bike. JMO though, it's hard to ignore some of the potential savings on used and internet-direct bikes.

Bill

[Industry_Hack]

My last four bikes have been bought online. Before that, I had a custom build, and three from bike shops.

[fleeter]

Originally Posted by baj32161

don't jump on the first offer you get. This is the fun part, do your research and ask around.

This is valuable advice! Also, try to get the most value for your riding regimen... if you're only riding ~1 hour/day, you're not going to need all the fancy things you might like if you were riding professionally. Don't overkill it, and use the money you saved to get more "comfy" items (I just upgraded my saddle and it's 100% better).

[aeonderdonk]

Originally Posted by fleeter

This is valuable advice! Also, try to get the most value for your riding regimen... if you're only riding ~1 hour/day, you're not going to need all the fancy things you might like if you were riding professionally. Don't overkill it, and use the money you saved to get more "comfy" items (I just upgraded my saddle and it's 100% better).

I agree, I think that the some of the features are beyond what I need but I've always been almost obsessed with tracking down deals for the best quality available.

Forgot to mention he is throwing in some speedplay pedals and shoes and a polar cycling watch/computer to sweeten the deal.

[jagonz456]

lol I knew it I have seen this play out so may times. Its crazy but people would rather buy an old high end product over a new product every time. 15,000 can get you a used BMW or a New Honda with warranty and all the bells and whistles that come with a new car and people will still buy the used BMW. I wont but a lot of people will. I guess "every mind is its on world"

[fleeter]

^^^ which is not to say that a new honda is "better" than a used BMW... it all depends on the product, the buyer, and the buyer's priorities. BTW... I'm using the word "better" because it's completely subjective and the majority of the time based off of opinion. Keep in mind there are those guys out there that will buy a 40 year old VW that still needs fixing and pay upwards of $20,000, just because that's what they want (my dad is one of those guys). In my opinion, I agree with jagonz, and would rather buy new anytime. I like new things with warranties, etc.