I need some advice. I've been running for years, and am getting a bit bored, so I thought about competing in a few duathlons next year. I have a decent touring bike that's a bit old and I plan to use it on a trainer over the winter. I'm considering purchasing a bike in the spring. Will probably go for a used one to defray costs.
Any suggestions on how to find a good, used bike? Ebay and the want ads are lacking.
Any suggestions on how to find a good, used bike? Ebay and the want ads are lacking.
Loading...
Do you know what size of a bike you'll need? Keep trying eBay, it's really hit and miss on that site.
Can you visit your local bike shops and check out their bulletin boards and maybe find someone selling a used one that way or have someone at the LBS keep an eye out for someone that is upgrading and is getting rid of a bike your size.
Loading...
I personally wouldn't buy a bike from e-bay. For road bikes, fit is so important that I would not risk getting an ill-fitting road bike from e-bay. Bad fit can result in neck, butt, hand or lower back pain, and is the reason that many people are turned off from cycling.
As for mountain bikes, (hey, there ARE off-road dualthlons) fit is not quite important, but on ebay, you have not idea how hard someone pushed their bike. there could be stress fractures all over the headtube from them taking it off of ten foot drops.
Bottom line, I would reccomend getting the bike from a Local Bike shop, where they can fit you to a bike, swap out parts that you don't want, and offer you free or reduced tune ups after your purchase. I don't know about you, but my LBS has a bunch of used bikes that they sell, and while you cannot swap out parts on them labor free, it is more likely that you will get that ever-important fit.
As for mountain bikes, (hey, there ARE off-road dualthlons) fit is not quite important, but on ebay, you have not idea how hard someone pushed their bike. there could be stress fractures all over the headtube from them taking it off of ten foot drops.
Bottom line, I would reccomend getting the bike from a Local Bike shop, where they can fit you to a bike, swap out parts that you don't want, and offer you free or reduced tune ups after your purchase. I don't know about you, but my LBS has a bunch of used bikes that they sell, and while you cannot swap out parts on them labor free, it is more likely that you will get that ever-important fit.
Loading...
Always gotta take an opening to say I love my recumbent. Never a twinge of neck, butt, hand or back pain. And as far as I know, only certified triathlons are down on letting recumbents enter. Duathlons seem to be more open minded and of those I've read entry rules on, most of the time you'd be fine on a 'bent. Just another option to consider.
Loading...