lponder82

Hi all... I am a newbie and havent ridden since i was a kid. I am looking to get a beginners bike just to start riding for exercise. I will mainly be riding around my neighborhood and stuff and stuff. I currently have a 2017 Trek Verve 1 on layaway - total price will be around $400 but I also found a private seller with a 2012 Diamonback Clarity 1 that looks nice and has a couple addons - Handlebar extentions, rack and upgraded tires (Vittoria Randonneur Double Shielding Tires ) which I am totally clueless about...This bike is $200 used. If I purchase the new bike, I will get lifetime tuneups from bicyclevillage. I am a total newb here and I can say I even know anything about tuneups. But in your guys opinions, which would be the better purchase? I can post pics of the used bike if needed as well. Thanks!

trailangel

Pretty much the same bike. Clarity is women specific bike. I don't know about the Verve.
Claimed weight of Clairity 1 is 26 pounds. Claimed weight of Verve 1 is 30 lbs.

MRT2

IMO $200 is a little high for a 5 year old used bike from a private seller. It is a women's specific bike, so far as I can tell. Vittoria Randonneur isn't really an upgrade. That tire comes stock on a lot of bikes, but it is a decent tire. The rack is a nice feature, but not something I would pay a lot more for as you can get a basic rack for $20 or so. Same with bar ends.

Buying new can make sense if you want to keep a bike for a long time. I am a big believer in LBS and after sale service, particularly in the first year or two of using a new bike. That said, take the whole lifetime free tune up thing with a grain of salt. I suspect they are talking about basic adjustments, and anything more labor intensive or requiring replacement of parts will cost you down the road.

lponder82

Okay. The person selling the used just bought it used before summer as well. I am looking into some other used ones off craigslist now.

trailangel

If you don't know how or don't have tools or friends with tools to help work on bike, get the new bike now off layaway and start riding now.

mstateglfr 

About an hour ago, i sold a 27 year old road bike for $210.
Just food for thought on general pricing.

Maelochs

You got robbed. Vintage should command a Much higher price (those C&V guys are suckers.)


J/K

MRT2

In ready to ride condition, $210 is a good deal for a used road bike.