No matter what type of cyclist you are: a commuter, a bike tourist, or a hobby cyclist, choosing a bike that’s right for you is important. It could mean the difference between you wanting to continue using a bike and giving it up entirely. It’s that serious. But that then begs the question: Is it better to buy a new bicycle or a used bicycle?
Whether you should buy a new or a used bike depends on your type of riding, budget, intensity of use, and bike maintenance skills. Buying used can get you a good deal if you know the bike is in good condition. Buying new is preferred if you don’t know much about bikes and you’re worried that you may end up scammed.
Don’t worry, though. I’m on hand to help. We’ll cover everything above in much greater detail and a little more besides, too. So, if you’re still weighing up whether to get a new bicycle or a used bicycle, then you’re in the right place!
A word of caution before proceeding: whether it’s new or old, the perfect bike is the one that gets you excited about riding it every time you see it. The best bike is the one that makes you want to go out for a ride.
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Old vs new: factors to consider
To decide whether a new or a used bike is best for your needs, let’s break down the factors that should influence your decision here to help you along with your decision-making process. After that, we’ll cover the major pros and cons of both new and used bicycles, so by the end of it, you should have some idea about what your next steps might be.
What type of cyclist are you?
Do you want to use your bike for commuting, touring, racing, weekend riding, mountain biking? The more demanding type of riding you would like to do the more likely you will benefit from a new bicycle.
If you’re a commuter with a short commute who only needs a bike to get you from A to B Monday-Friday, and there’s a risk of your bike being stolen while at work, is the large expense of a new bike worth it?
Likewise, if you’re a hobbyist who wants to join the occasional local race and sees cycling as a sport to be taken seriously, would you be able to get the most out of a used bike with older technology?
Do you want to go on a bike tour and need a bike that is guaranteed to be in mint condition?
It’s a decision for you to make, but it’s something you ought to keep in mind.
How long would you ideally like the bike to last?
A bike’s average lifespan is roughly 5 years of everyday intense riding, which can be significantly longer if the bike spends most of its time in the garage or if it’s exceptionally well-built. There are plenty of 20+ year old well-maintained and little used bikes to be seen on the road.
If you expect to use your bike only for a year or two, after which you plan on selling it or upgrading to another one, you may be better off with a used bike with a shorter life expectancy.
On the other hand, if you want to keep your bike until its end of life, you’re probably better off purchasing a new one.
What’s your budget?
You can get a lot more for your money when you buy used, but you’ll also be missing out on the latest cycling technology.
It’s up to you what you prioritize, but sometimes less money out of your bank can be a great consolation when you are riding an older bike.
Also, if your budget is very low (e.g. under 400 dollars) you’re better off buying a used bike with better components than a new bike with poor quality ones.
Do you know exactly what you want?
The latest technology may give you faster shifting and may save you a few grams of weight, but it will always come at a premium cost.
If you don’t know what you exactly want and need, a brand-new bike will be a costly way to learn. You can spend thousands of dollars on the wrong new bike, so be cautious here.
How handy are you with repairs and replacements?
Sometimes, used bikes need a bit (or a lot) of work done to make them road-worthy again. If you aren’t comfortable with upgrades, repairs, and replacements, new bikes won’t need them for a while yet!
If you decide to purchase a used bike and you’re not skilled at doing repairs, make friends with the owner of your local bike shop. He will be happy to acquire a new returning customer, and you can have the peace of mind that your bike is kept well-maintained.
Pros and cons of buying a new bicycle
Just like anything, there are both pros and cons when buying a new bicycle. I couldn’t list them all here, but hopefully, the ones I’ve selected are the ones you think are most relevant, too!
Pros of buying a new bicycle
- Warranty. Most bike shops offer a warranty on a new bicycle, so if there are any problems, you can have them resolved quickly.
- Less prone to mechanical faults. New bikes are just less prone to mechanical faults anyway because parts haven’t been worn down yet.
- Works better from the start. You’ll have a road-ready bike the moment you take it home.
- Bike shops may offer free adjustments. Some bike shops offer free adjustments so the bike suits you, your body, and your riding style more. Some bike shops offer this for up to 90 days after purchase.
- More up-to-date technology. Technology in the cycling industry is advancing at an ever-increasing rate. Buying a new bike is the only way to guarantee your bike is fitted with all the latest gear.
Cons of buying a new bicycle
- More expensive. You can expect to pay around $3000-$4000 for a great new bike, and even more if you have specific requirements that may be considered niche.
- Loses value straight away. I’ve covered this in a recent blog post about knowing the value of a bike, but within the first year a new bike’s value drops by around 10-45%. That’s quite a hit to your bank balance.
- Have to know what you want. Because of this expense, you have to know what you want or you’ll face a pricey learning curve. Picking up a road bike to commute and realizing a gravel bike is better will sting when you’ve spent thousands of dollars on it.
- Some people are less comfortable on a new bike. It’s true. Many cyclists hate riding a brand-new bike because they feel they need to treat it like a fine China vase. If you don’t feel confident while riding it, then the investment isn’t worth it.
Pros and cons of buying a used bicycle
You might think that the pros and cons of a used bike will just be the reverse of the pros and cons of a new bike, but actually, there are some different things that need to be considered.
Pros of buying a used bicycle
- Cheaper. Because of that stat, I gave you earlier about bicycle value depreciation, you can pick up some great bargains with a used bike.
- More for your money. You might get more from a used bike than a new one. A brand-new high-end bike will cost you more than a used high-end one from the previous year. It might not have the very latest tech, but it’ll be close enough! Let’s be honest, most people don’t benefit from the newest gadgets.
- Better resale value. Yes, there is some depreciation still. But only around 7-10% loss in value per year is way less than the loss of value even within the first year.
- Less likelihood of being stolen. An older bike is less appealing to thieves, which is why many commuters choose to use cheaper, old bikes, which they don’t mind leaving outside, chained to a
Cons of buying a used bicycle
- May require work. Used bikes have been set up for the last rider. You may need to do a fair amount of work to make it right for you.
- Bikes have a limited lifespan. 5 years of intensive use is what most cyclists agree on. If a used bike is close to this age and has been used intensely, it may not be worth purchasing.
- No warranties or guarantees (usually). Some bike shops will, but private sellers usually won’t give you any warranty on used bikes, so any repairs, replacements, or upgrades will be out of your pocket. If you know how to fix things yourself, you’ll still need to buy parts and invest your time.
Is getting a new bike worth it?
New bikes are worth getting if you want the latest bike technology, you don’t mind losing most of its value in the first year and don’t want to worry about upgrades, repairs, and replacements for a while. If you’re willing to spend less than 400 dollars, you’re better off buying a used bike in good condition.
When I bought my commuter a few years ago, I bought a new bike for around 700 dollars with the following reasoning:
- I wanted a bike that worked for a long time and I didn’t want to worry about parts wearing out.
- I wanted to be sure that everything worked perfectly right out of the box, and I didn’t know much about bike maintenance then.
- I didn’t mind the bike losing much of its value because I made a long-term purchase
- I have a very safe place to lock my bike both at home and at work so I don’t need to worry about bike theft.
- I knew that 700 dollars would get me a decent-quality bike.
I also bought a brand-new bike in the past that I regretted buying. It was a cheap, sub 300 dollar department store bike, which I later realized was a big mistake. I quickly noticed these problems:
- The low gears aren’t low enough and the high gears aren’t high enough
- The adjustability is minimal.
- The bike is super heavy
- The shifting is imprecise
- The bottom bracket started cracking after a few uses
- The rear hub is clicking
I could have avoided this problem if I’d spent more (which wasn’t an option) or by buying a used bike in good condition.
How do I know if a used bike is good?
There are some critical areas of a used bike that need especially close attention. Only seeing a bike in person will allow you to judge whether the following areas of the bike are fit for purpose, so never buy a bike without seeing it first.
Frame
The frame is the most expensive part to replace. Make sure this is in good working order above all other components.
Look out for scratches, dents, bends, and any other marks that might indicate a crash has taken place. A compromised frame could cause serious damage when you’re on the road.
Drivetrain
The drivetrain is essentially what makes your bike go, so if this isn’t working, you’re not riding. Look at the cranks, front cogs, rear cogs, chain, shifters, and derailleurs.
Problems with just one of these parts could mean the whole drivetrain needs replacing, which can become expensive. Make sure everything is moving freely and no strange noises or obvious signs of wear and tear are present.
Brakes
You need to check the brake calipers here. These are the parts attached to the frame that close on the wheel to slow them down.
If the calipers are stiff, facing resistance, or are stuck, the brakes will probably need replacing very soon.
Wheels
Give the wheels a spin to make sure they’re spinning straight. If they are off by even a few mm, then you won’t have a smooth ride and it could lead to repeated injuries because bikes aren’t made to be ridden with bowed or misaligned wheels.
Replacing damaged wheels isn’t cheap, so be on the lookout for signs of damage.
Tires
Look at the tread of the tires. How worn are they?
Replacing tires is probably the least expensive thing on this list, but it’s a cost you need to keep in mind when purchasing a used bicycle.
Look to see if there is a flat line down the center of the tire. This shows it’s time to replace them. I have written another article about when to replace your bike tire, which you can read here.
Suspension
Finally, if the used bike you’re considering has suspension, then check it.
Suspension needs servicing fairly regularly, but some owners don’t know/care about that, so suspension could be seriously faulty.
Push down on the bike and feel for any resistance. If it doesn’t spring back easily, that’s also a problem. Sometimes, suspension can break entirely, and that’s not ideal if you’re going to be the one to pay the bill!
Take-Home Message
Overall, there’s no one way of buying a bicycle that suits every rider.
It all comes down to what you want and need. Think about the factors we’ve mentioned throughout this post to help you arrive at a decision yourself.
Sometimes, buying a used bicycle is better than buying a new one, and the same applies the other way around. Just think carefully about what is right for you, and we’re sure you’ll find the perfect bike for you!
