All, I am in my first year of triathlon training and have been using a mountain bike with slicks. I have decided that its time to buy a bike. I plan on mostly doing sprints and Olympic distance triathlons. I’m looking for input on whether to buy a new bike or a used bike. I would like to buy a Cervelo Soloist so I can use it as a dual-purpose bike for group rides and triathlons. Using retail prices, I could buy a new Soloist Team (aluminum frame) for $2,200 with Ultegra or $2,500 with Dura Ace. As a comparison, the Carbon Soloist goes for $4,400 with Ultegra or $5,400 with Dura Ace. I can’t afford nor justify paying the extra $2,200 for a new Carbon Soloist so my only option would be to buy a used one.
Here is a list of what I see as the pros and cons of each;
New Soloist Team:
Cervelo lifetime warranty
Professional fit included in the purchase
I like the lower profile look and durability of the Silver anodized paint
Extra $300 for the Dura Ace: STI shift/brake levers and front/rear Derailleur
Cons: it’s not the Carbon model!
Used Soloist Carbon
Lighter, not sure how much
More aerodynamic
Higher bottom bracket and torsional stiffness
It’s carbon!
Con: I would have to go with the Ultegra version since the Dura Ace ones seem to go for too much used
Con: No warranty for 2nd owner
Con: No professional fit. I would have to figure out the sizing myself and fit it myself
Con: in the ads for used bikes that I have seen most people say they have barely used their bikes, obviously this seems a little fishy. Since there is no way to truly know how many miles a bike has been used I am a bit wary of buying a used bike
Con: looking at Ebay/Slowtwitch classifieds, it looks like I could get a used Carbon Soloist for $3,000 to $3,500 in a best case scenario. Still $500 to $1,000 more than a new Soloist Team. Plus I might be able to negotiate a slight discount at the local LBS on a new Soloist team.
Ok, so my biggest issues with buying a used Carbon Soloist are: 1) no warranty, 2) no professional fitting, and 3) I am wary of buying a bike sight unseen on Ebay/Slowtwitch/Craigslist and fear getting a frame with a crack or other issue that wouldn’t be under warranty or a bike with many more miles than listed in the advertisement.
What would you do and/ or recommend?? What are your experiences with buying a used bike? What is the durability of a carbon fiber frame and is it a big risk to buy one used?
Buy the carbon and Ultegra. It is worth the extra 500 or so you spend on it. And don't even bother getting DuraAce, it's not worth it(unless you're rich and have money to blow on them). If you're still adamant about DuraAce down the road, upgrade your Ultegra slowly. The frame however, cannot be upgraded part by part.
GET THE CARBON; albeit I’ve not seen many carbon soloist going for under 3.4-4k.
I am in the same position as you are right now. What I have decided is, if you are buying carbon, don’t go used…unless you can afford to live without the warranty or it’s just a 1-2 year bike. I keep bikes for a long time, buying used carbon and not having a warranty and having to scrap the frame if anything happens is too big of a risk for me.
Aluminum, buying uses I wouldn’t be quite as concerned, not such a financial hit if anything happens to the frame. Titanium, I would have no worries buying used (especially if it was a Litespeed).
One thing you could consider. Buy a new Soloist carbon frame and then get all your parts from eBay to save some money. Might bring that carbon soloist more in your range.
The carbon soloist frame is abut 300-350g lighter than its aluminium soloist in comparable sizes. The only real advantages of the carbon soloist are greater aerodynamics and greater overall frame stiffness. The difference in aerodynamics is small. The different is stiffness may be an issue if you are heavy (>75kg) or a very good cyclist with high power output. Given the same starting budget, for a newbie to the sport, i would recommend getting an aluminium soloist. With the extra cash you can get better/lighter/more aerodynamic components esp wheels that would build up into an equally light bike (or even lighter most probably if you’re smart about it).
Depends on how it works out…I have scored big with ebay and I have taken a few dives as well. For example, I got a great set of almost new zipp 404’s with new cassette and tubular tires for $350. On the other hand I bought a bike for a good chunk of change and despite paying for the bike right away, the guy took a month before they sent it to me. Come to find out they were a law student and they got bent out of shape that because they didn’t have a car I should pay for their cab ride to bring the bike to Fed Ex to send it to me and then after the fact wanted me to pay their fees for even posting the ebay listing. Then when I got the bike the “loving cared for and immaculately maintained” bike turned out to be beat to hell: the decals were coming off, the bike was chipped, and obviously at some point had been crashed as proven by the tiny dents in the frame and the rash on the shifters. In the end, I paid too much for a bike and by the time I got done with shipping and the hassles of getting the bike, I realized that I should have just gotten the bike from the local shop. FWIW, I would still consider getting a bike from ebay or classifieds but I know that it is always a gamble.
is there a shop you like near you that sells cervelos, and that you like working with?
if so, i’d definitely go w/the new bike.
if not, a lot of the new bike advantages are less important.
also, if you really really want a dual purpose carbon bike, you should look at the kestrel talon.
Unless you know the bike and seller very well, buying a used bike, especially a carbon one, is iffy at best. Who knows how the previous owner took care of or rode the bike? Sure, they may have been meticulous, and never crashed or ridden in the rain, blah, blah, blah, or they may have never cleaned the bike before taking photos to post on Ebay and laid it over every other ride, especially those training rides in the rain!
You have to consider that you may be getting a Carbon Soloist for $3500-4000, but it could potentially need $500-1000 worth of parts! Tires? Chain? Cassette? Chainrings? They all may need to be replaced, depending on their condition.
I think that the lifetime factory warranty alone is worth buying new from a dealer. When you get your “new” Ebay bike and discover that the previous owner cracked a chainstay but never noticed it because the bike was always filthy, you will be SOL…
If you’re really sold on a Carbon frame, but want to save a little cash, I second what another poster said… buy the frame new, and get some used parts on Ebay/Slowtwitch/Craig’s List/etc.
By the way… We have 2007 Carbon Soloists (Ultegra $4000 and D/A $5000) and R3’s (I’ll have to double check prices) on sale!!
If the carbon bike does not fit, it will ride MUCH worse than the aluminum one. If you are not sure of fit, do not buy the bike.
Also, Cervelo is not the only company making bikes. You could get carbon fiber and new for the price of the Cervelo soloist team (i.e., Kestrel Talon).
I’ve always bought my bikes second hand. Usually I buy a frame and then build it up from discounted parts off ebay. Never had a single problem and always saved money that way. I wouldn’t recommended it for everyone however, unless you’re quite mechanical, understand bike fitting and are familiar with the market.
As M.P. suggested. I’d also take a very close look at the Kestrel Talon. It’s a full carbon dual purpose bike at about the same price as an aluminium Soloist. I recently was deciding between both these bikes and decided that choosing the Kestrel carbon frame over the aluminium Cervelo was a no brainer.
Several friends with Kestral Talons who road/tri on them. VERY durable and great for the money.
Soloist team (AL) is a very proven design and a great bike/price point. Probably the best bike at the price IMHO.
#1 Go new to get the fit done right at a trusted local shop - most important thing by a mile. I’m a recent carbon convert, so I’ll rec a carbon bike. I personally would be OK with a used Soloist Carbon since they haven’t been around long, are very expensive new (so one can “assume” the original owner took care of it), and are very durable anyway (hence the warranty - but only for original owners). There will be lots of used SLC and R3s soon since people by them for being the hot bike - but remember, these are RACE bikes - aggressive set ups, stiff, responsive, and not your typical comfy “touring” bike that many people probably do with them that have the money.
Thanks for your all of your insights. I am leaning towards getting a new Cervelo Soloist Team or Kestrel Talon. My LBS carries both so I can test them out and get fitted. I have one more question. If I were to get the Soloist Team, they have a Dura Ace version for $300 more than the Ultegra version. The only difference is in 3 parts: DA front derailleur, DA rear derailleur, and DA Sti Shift/Brake Levers. The cost difference is $300. I know I can upgrade them later but is there a large performance benefit and does this benefit justify the extra $300 for these 3 parts?
IMHO, the ONLY difference with DA vs. Ultegra is in the STI levers (much nicer) and the rear derailleur is reportedly a little more durable. For $300, I would probably spring for that. If it were a tri bike (i.e. no STI levers - than I would pass and put that $ towards some wheels).
Agreed, I buy virtually all of my bikes used, BUT, I know my geometries and fit requirements, and I am very comfortable working on and tinkering with bikes. For a first time buyer, they should almost always buy from the LBS and get the support they most likely need.