Each of us is faced with the question: buy new but more modest, or used but better equipped? This includes the purchase of a TV, a car, and a bicycle.
There is no shortage of new and used bicycles on the market. Thousands of offers are available, varying in price, frame size, wheel size, fittings, colour, silhouette, etc. When making a new/used choice we need to know the pros and cons of each option, maybe it will make our choice a little easier.
The price.
There's a reason we're starting from this point. If "the price didn't play a role", we would certainly choose a new bike from the living room without thinking. The track, which has already been around for several seasons, but still enjoys recognition among amateur riders, can be purchased even for a fraction of the price it cost at its premiere. We also warn against opportunities. Cheap bikes with low mileage, relatively young, may have a hidden flaw (such as accident and frame damage). Let's get away from these copies. However, this does not exclude the fact that we cannot buy really good equipment sold cheaply, e.g. because of an incorrect gift or wrong size.
Technical condition.
Only the new monocoque from the shop is in perfect technical condition. The odometer hasn't been scored a kilometre, and the components are clean and intact. Technical issues in used bikes are usually roulette, so before giving money and taking your equipment away, you need to look at it carefully, drive through it and catch any imperfections. What's more, it can also be a point of attachment to price negotiations. If our knowledge and experience allows us to estimate the costs of repairing damaged elements, we can conclude whether its purchase is certainly profitable for us.
Warranty.
New bikes have a warranty period of 24 months as standard (although there are brands that offer a period of up to 5 years). All manufacturer's defects and damage to components (if used correctly) will be replaced or repaired on the new bike. We can forget about the warranty on a second-hand bike, and all defects (even those noticed immediately after purchase) will have to be repaired on our own.
An alternative between new and used.
An interesting option that is not known to every buyer of a bike is the purchase of an overhead or test bike. Their prices are lower than those of the still wafed brothers, although the bikes from the exhibitions are in an almost ideal condition. So it is worth to send inquiries to local bicycle shops about the possibility of buying the equipment we described above.
Summary.
When buying a bicycle, the price often decides on its choice. Before spending money on a new wheelchair, it's worth thinking about its intended use - for racing, recreation, and access to the shop. Sometimes a better option is to buy older equipment with better equipment, and sometimes only new copies are involved. But let's follow the principle - let's make choices with our heads.
