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Hey all,
I’m on the hunt for a new full-susser, but my budget doesn’t quite stretch to something brand new in the range I’m after (Santa Cruz Tallboy, Transition Smuggler etc), so I’m looking at the used market.
I’ve bought new carbon MTBs before, but this would be my first second-hand one and likely one that's seen some solid use. I’ve bought plenty of second hand steel hardtails and gravel rigs, but this feels like a bit of a different beast.
Just wondering, do any brands offer any warranty support for second owners, or is it pretty much always the original owner only?
Thanks!
Trek warranty frames for three years for second owners. I had one replaced by Trek, was very pleased.
Trek warranty frames for three years for second owners. I had one replaced by Trek, was very pleased.
That's 3 years from when the original owner purchased it (in case it's not obvious). Similarly, Specialized does 2 years.
Have you thought about buying a steel bike that will ride better and last a very long time? I have a Cotic and a Pipedream and absolutely love them. Agile, smooth, fun and fast.
I just sold a Specialized so was aware of the 2 years from original purchase date. I'd be lucky to find anything on the used market within this 2-3 year period though and it's also looking like all major brands are much the same.
So at this point it's either bite the bullet on a used one with the added bit of risk or keep saving for a new one and potentially miss the end of summer riding for the sake of a full warranty.
When I’m browsing used high end bikes i i don’t get the impression that they are all well used. Some will have been bought by people that don’t ride that much, but they wanted the best. Or will be part of a fleet of nice bikes
I think you have to take the view that the reduction costs in has to justify the risk. Plus carbon can be fixed
When I’m browsing used high end bikes i i don’t get the impression that they are all well used. Some will have been bought by people that don’t ride that much, but they wanted the best. Or will be part of a fleet of nice bikes
Not sure where you’re getting this from, sounds more like projection than anything based on fact. People with ‘nice’ bikes ride just as much as those with old nags, the difference between the income bands is probably more that they can chuck cash at maintenance and repairs.
I think you have to take the view that the reduction costs in has to justify the risk. Plus carbon can be fixed
This rings true, you pay less but the risk is higher (sort of true for anything used) having bought, repaired and then ridden a Carbon (road) frame for about a decade I can confirm it’s entirely possible to repair the black stuff. But by the same token I wouldn’t hurl loads of money at it, don’t spend what you can’t afford to lose. Wanting a warranty will significantly reduce your choices, and up the asking price all for maybe six months of “assurance”…
I think it’s the same caveat that YMMV when you buy any bike, they can all break, out of warranty and your on your own 🙂
So pay what you can afford to fix/lose.
Thanks for all the comments so far.
I’ve basically got 2k to spend right now, ideally less if I can help it but could keep saving/selling stuff to fund if needs be.
I’ve found a used SC Tallboy that can be had for close to 2.5k which seems in good condition, or there’s a new SC 5010 locally that’s discounted down to 3.5k.
To the comment above about finding a nice steel full sus bike, totally not against this, a Cotic could be a great option and a nice stable mate to my Stooge
I'd genuinely not worry about it. I buy secondhand carbon bikes by default because they're so easy and cheap to repair that the warranty is an irrelevance. I had one bike where the main pivot came loose and the bolt damaged the carbon around the pivot point. It was £100 to fix at a carbon repair specialist and you'd never know. You can't do that anywhere near as easily, cheaply and effectively with metal frames.
I'd buy the bike I liked and not stress too much about the warranty as long as it wasn't something with form for problems.
I'd buy carbon every time. I've cracked steel and aluminium, but I have been lucky I guess with carbon. and I'm too old to worry about fashion