How much to spend on your first bike?
In this Article
Published on October 18, 2021
If you have come across this article, we regret to inform you that your passion will cost you a lot of money. But you probably already knew that because it's no secret that cycling is a very expensive sport. And there is no shortage of articles to put the knife in the wound: "Why are bikes so expensive?" or "Are bike prices out of control?
The topic of rising bike prices has been stirring up the crowds in recent years as many premium bikes now cost more than 10,000 euros. Yes, we know, it's a lot. But not without reason! Describing the economic and technological factors that explain this price would deserve an article of its own.
The Cyclist House helps you, new cyclists, to intelligently buy your first road companion. Within a reasonable range of 1000 to 2000 eurosyou will find a high quality used bike, ideally manufactured within the last 5 to 10 years.
1,000 to 2,000 euros may sound like a lot of money to some and too little to others. In our opinion, this is a good starting point for new cyclists who are motivated to start cycling but don't want to pay more for it than their car!
If you don't plan to ride often, if you only make short trips and your bike often sleeps outside, if you're not sure if you want to make cycling a hobby, or if your life circumstances simply don't allow it, you can definitely spend less than €1,000 on an economical bike that will meet your needs.
Spending this amount will get you a good, recent, used bike that doesn't need much, if any, upgrading. This price range opens up a wide range of good options for entry-level bikes. Also, buying a used bike gives you a slightly higher-end bike with better components than if you bought a new bike.
Find the right bike and you can be sure that it will hold its value better, have better components and technology, and allow you to start cycling with a solid foundation for progress.
THE ORIGINAL PRICE OF THE USED BIKE
Just like cars, boats, skis and computers, your bike will lose value over time. In fact, as soon as a new bike leaves the shop, it has already lost its value. Here's a simple rule to follow when buying a used bike:
If you're just starting out in cycling, and you know that at some point you'll intend to resell your bike (for a better one or because you finally don't want to ride anymore), avoid buying one with an original new price of less than €1,500. Bikes priced at that level and above are of much better quality and will hold their value and value for longer. A quick search on the Internet will help you determine the original selling price of the model you might be interested in.
Of course, a bike costing more than €1,000 is a big purchase. But if you spend a little more on your first bike, it will be a better investment in the long run. We can guarantee it!
If you decide to buy a cheap used bike, expect that the quality may not be there, that it may be in poor condition or that its components may not work perfectly. In addition, it will be difficult, if not impossible, to resell it later because its level of desirability is very low. Be aware that you will not get any return on your investment.
In general terms, new bikes under €1,000 are built with low-end generic components, or have an already "has-been" design. These bikes will not function as well, will be less durable, and will not be as fun to ride.
Read this article to learn more about the best way to preserve the value of your used bike.
KEEP YOUR USED BIKE AND ITS COMPONENTS UP TO DATE
Bikes and their components are constantly changing. It's hard to keep up! Some riders even buy a new bike every season to "keep up". But, let's be honest, it's not necessary or reasonable.
Our first advice was to choose a used bike in the range of 1000 to 2000 euros with a new selling price of at least 1500 euros.
Our second advice is to choose a model that is not too old so that it will still be attractive to you at first, but also to others if you intend to resell it. But, from what year is a model considered too old?
We advise you to choose your new road companion that has been manufactured between the last 5 and 10 years. Within this age range, we feel it will have the components and technology as good as any of the latest bikes. Transmissions that are one or two generations old often have technology comparable to the newest parts.
The advantage of bikes of this age is that they will have components that are compatible with those coming out of the factory. This is not insignificant when you know that improvements are constant and that they make it possible to have high-end offers at more affordable prices. This is important to consider because if you encounter any problems it will be easier for you to get replacement parts.
Bike geometry is also constantly changing and older bikes usually don't handle as well as newer ones. This is especially true for mountain bikes, where geometry has changed dramatically over the past decade. Spending more on a slightly newer bike will ensure that you get the latest geometry improvements and better handling.
If this sounds like a lot of hooey to you, don't worry, we've put together a buying guide for road bikes, gravel and MOUNTAIN BIKES.
THE RIGHT SIZE
It is obvious and we have already discussed it in several of our articles but: don't buy a used bike that doesn't fit you! It will always be better to buy a low-end bike that fits your body and your comfort position than a brand new bike where you would be badly positioned. Of course, all modifications are possible on a bike but they can quickly become very expensive...
DON'T FORGET TO EQUIP YOURSELF
Giving yourself a budget for your first bike is fine, but don't forget that there will be additional costs for equipment. A comfortable and adequate outfit for the type of cycling you practice, a helmet that will protect you from possible falls, good shoes that will allow you to get off your bike and walk without worrying if you practice gravel, glasses etc... All this represents a certain budget to start cycling, but these are necessary elements that will provide you with comfort and well-being during your outings.
OUR ENTRY-LEVEL BIKES
If you want to see used bikes worth 1 000 to 2 000 euros already available on our site, you can go to the following links:
If you don't find what you're looking for yet, don't hesitate to come back later. New bikes are added every day! You can also set up a saved search to receive an alert when the bike of your dreams arrives in our inventory.
If you're in the market for a new bike and want to learn more about the technology or terminology you need to know to understand what you're buying, be sure to check out our collection of buying guides that explain the ins and outs of different types of bikes.
Remember, at the end of the day, you'll play the biggest role in your performance. An exceptionally fit and capable rider on the worst, cheapest and oldest bike will still be able to outperform a beginner on the latest bike. Although we don't recommend buying a bike under 1,000 Euros, it is still possible to become a great cyclist on such a bike. But starting with a better bike will make it easier and faster for you to progress as a cyclist.
The Cyclist House welcomes you to the world of cycling!
