First, buy a bike from a bike shop, even though supply is inconsistent right now. Living in a less populated place will present some limitations of course, but here’s why it’s a better idea than buying on eBay:
- You’ll get a bike that fits.
- You'll get actual expertise from people who ride in your general area and on your terrain.
- You'll establish a relationship with people who will know and support you should you need repairs and upgrades.
Second, spending more money initially
will save you money in the end. A well-built bike with decent components will require fewer repairs, fewer upgrades, and therefore you won’t have to pay for as much labor or tools, and it will be a more durable bike in the long run.
Third, there’s a pride-of-ownership in having a bike that looks good, fits well, and runs smoothly. When you go to the garage and see your bike, you’ll look forward to riding it.
Finally, should you decide that cycling isn’t what you hoped it would be, the resale will be higher for a quality bike shop bike than a BikesDirect, eBay, or other discount bike.
And be sure to amortize the expense over the lifetime of the bike. A thousand-dollar bike only costs $100 a year over ten years. Even if you only put 1000 miles a year on it, that’s a penny per mile. The more you ride it, the cheaper it gets.