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The Introducing the Canyon Endurace Allroad caused quite a stir this year: A fully-fledged, brand-new racing bike for under 1000 euros? That hasn't been seen for a long time. Indeed, the silver speedster looks attractive at first glance: a modern aluminium frame, hydraulic disc brakes and even a carbon fork are installed, which you won't find anywhere else for the money. All of this with the striking lettering of a leading manufacturer that is also active in professional sport. You can't go wrong - or can you?
A closer look reveals that the range is miles away from a sporty competition racer - and thus unfortunately also from the addictive riding experience that makes cycling so unique. There is no doubt that the Canyon is a solid and well-made bike for the money, but it is more suitable as a sporty everyday bike and for occasional tours than for serious cycling. The profiled tyres could perhaps be swapped for faster road models, but the extremely upright riding position and the very high weight of almost eleven kilograms cannot be argued away. The Shimano Cues gear system with 2x10 gears is also on the technical level of 15 years ago. This quickly raises the question of whether an older, but higher-quality bike might not be the better choice. The answer: In many cases it is, especially if you really want to compete. But you can also find better compromises for touring cyclists or gravel bikers if you do some research and follow a few tips.
The second-hand market in particular offers a lot of bike for the money. If you live in the lowlands and want to race as a hobby, you can look for high-quality carbon racers with rim brakes, for example, which are no longer available in the shops. Above all, you then get a significantly lighter and faster racing bike. If you're lucky, you might even be able to get an electric drivetrain for your budget, which worked perfectly even ten years ago. Comfortable endurance models with rim brakes are also highly recommended for poor roads. For use in the mountains or for longer bike tours, hydraulic disc brakes should be standard, which limits the age to a maximum of five years and the category to endurance and gravel models. But even brand-new discontinued models from discount stores can do a lot for your budget. Discounted endurance models from the previous year for less than 1000 euros, which offer a good alternative to a brand new entry-level racer with an eleven-speed drivetrain and up to two kilograms less weight, are not uncommon. We show you the different options and what you need to look out for.
Buying second-hand can be worthwhile
Huge selection, favourable prices: Second-hand portals such as Kleinanzeigen.de and Buycyle.com are the first port of call for cheap but good bikes. What is important
Tips for buying second-hand
- Be careful: Highly frequented platforms such as Kleinanzeigen.de are particularly popular with scammers and fraudsters. It is therefore essential that you seek personal contact: Local searches allow you to find offers in your neighbourhood that you can inspect and test ride. This is also the best way to check a bike for defects and wear and tear. A phone call is a good way of assessing the reliability of the seller even before travelling a long distance. Will the bike only be dispatched against prepayment or is a deposit required? No matter how favourable the deal may seem: If you have the slightest doubt, don't bother - the next suitable offer is sure to come along.
- Search for expertise: Poor photos, lack of description, missing or incorrect information: Only professionals can recognise the best bargains from pictures alone. If you are not well versed in bike technology, you may have a road bike expert in your acquaintance who you can ask for advice. Otherwise, look for pictures, test reports and experiences of the model in question and the equipment fitted on the Internet. This will allow you to gather information about the age, quality and new price of the bike and help you to make a better judgement.
- Take your time and be quick: Online searches take a lot of time due to the huge and completely unsorted range on offer - especially in urban centres, it is difficult to get an overview of the local market. The search term "new" (also includes as new, like new, refurbished, ...) can at least limit the offers to little-used bikes, refurbished spare parts and bikes with invoice or documentation. Patience usually pays off: Hundreds of new racing bikes are added to the classifieds every day, so it's worth checking the new listings daily. If you find something suitable and cheap, be quick: The best bargains are also gone quickly, so it's best to register your interest immediately and make an appointment.
- Advantages: wide range, no middleman, test drive possible with local offers, price negotiation possible
- DisadvantagesRisks associated with purely online purchases without viewing, usually no guarantee, expertise required, time-consuming search
The best sources for buying second-hand
Classifieds.com
By far the largest marketplace for used bikes, but also the most confusing. Precise information on age, condition and repairs often has to be obtained first. It is therefore only possible to distinguish between well-maintained and badly treated bikes with good pictures or a detailed on-site inspection. Shipping bikes is possible in principle, but is usually complicated and harbours further risks.
Buycycle.com
Marketplace specialising in bicycles with good search and filter functions. There are mainly high-quality and comparatively young bikes; dealers also use the platform for brand-new discontinued models. Buyer protection and a shipping service (for an additional charge) are organised by the platform for online purchases, but personal contact is also possible.
Rental stations
For years, hire centres, for example on Mallorca, have also been selling discarded hire bikes. Tour operator Huerzeler is the largest provider, selling around 1000 bikes per season. While Huerzeler does not ship the bikes, Fred Rompelberg and Philipps Bike Team also offer online ordering and shipping; the providers promise to check the bikes, but with many anonymous "short-term owners" the bikes are often not treated with care.
Clubs
Large clubs have a "notice board" or an area on the website where used bikes are offered or wanted. It can be worth posting a notice here, as the likelihood of getting a well-maintained bike and not being ripped off in terms of price is high.
Refurbished bikes
Big discounts for young bikes, but checked by experts and with a warranty: refurbished products are in vogue, even for bicycles. What's available and what you can expect:
Tips for refurbished purchases
- Check regularly: The major providers mostly concentrate on leasing returns, which is why everyday bikes and e-bikes make up the majority of the offer. Racing bikes are rather rare and, as with private sales, the good offers are quickly sold out again. It is therefore worth regularly checking the most important websites to see if there are any suitable new offers - and then quickly grab one. Because most providers offer excellent search masks that filter by category, price and size, the check is comparatively quick.
- Don't be too picky: For the same reason, you should be prepared to make some compromises with this source: Not the colour you want or not your favourite brand? If this is not important, the chances of finding a bargain are good. Of course, the size and category should match your own requirements. If you want to change the equipment, such as a different gear ratio, you should take this into account in the price.
- Compare prices well: Because the service is included in the price and the refurbishers also guarantee fair prices to the sellers, super bargains are not possible with the refurbished providers. On the other hand, the prices are realistic and generally not exorbitant. Nevertheless, it makes sense to compare the offers with other sources: The bikes on offer are often still young (up to 5 years old), there is an average saving of around 30 per cent compared to the original list price and the warranty is usually reduced to one year. For some, shipping costs are incurred and if you don't have the confidence to do it yourself, you will have to visit a workshop to have the bike removed from the box. It can be more attractive to buy a discounted new bike from a discounter (see next page), which includes advice and a two-year warranty and may even fulfil special requests.
- Advantages: Secure transaction, guaranteed perfect condition, with warranty and right of return
- Disadvantages: Limited bargain potential, comparatively small selection
The best sources for refurbished bikes
Rebike
Specialising in reconditioned e-bikes, the company nevertheless has a good range of racing bikes and gravel bikes thanks to partnerships with major leasing providers such as Business Bike. The majority of the fleet consists of bikes that are no more than three years old. There is a one-year warranty, 14-day return policy and free shipping.
Jobrad Loop
Refurbish offer from the major leasing provider. At least 100 race and gravel bikes were on offer at the time of our research, all of them still young or current models. One year warranty and the option of up to 50 kilometres test ride within the right of return. Fair shipping costs of 49 euros within Germany.
Bike ReSale
The refurbished dealer from Dresden also purchases bikes from leasing companies and collects them personally from the lessee or previous owner. Racing bikes and gravel bikes only make up a fraction of the range, which is why it is very clear. However, a test ride and personal collection in Dresden is possible. Shipping costs throughout Germany are 50 euros for a bike without a motor.
Reduced wheels
The safest purchase is still the retailer: whether online or on site, guaranteed new goods and a contact person if something comes up later remain strong arguments. With the right tactics, even list prices are just theory
Tips for buying discounts
- Choose the right time: In general, it's a good time to get hold of reduced bargains: the warehouses of many bike manufacturers still have to empty after the corona-related overproduction, and many are throwing away superfluous goods at knockdown prices. It is even cheaper from late summer into the winter: This is when the new goods for next year are queuing up and prices are reduced even further when the buying mood is low in the darker months of the year. The launch of a new model or a new groupset can also give rise to bargain hunting: Previous models are then often offered at heavily discounted prices.
- Compare many sources: If a particular bike is a slow seller, manufacturers often spread many of the remaining models across several discounters, which then sell them at a discount. One gives more discount, the other less. A targeted search is worthwhile, especially for well-known brands with large quantities, as there may be a better offer. Even a bike that is no longer available in the right size may still be available elsewhere.
- Negotiating in the shop: Online shops tend to offer the bigger discounts, but it can still be worth going to the dealer. Haggling is almost always worthwhile in a personal conversation, even with bikes that are already discounted. If a direct discount is not possible, ask about extras such as free inspections, clothing or other accessories that you need - after all, that's also worth money.
- Advantages: Large selection, full guarantee/warranty, damage-free new goods, contact person for complaints
- Disadvantages: Limited bargain potential
The best sources for buying discounts
Specialist retail chains
Wholesale stores such as Stadler, Fahrrad XXL or Lucky Bike are often the place to go for bikes from well-known brands that have been left over from the manufacturer or specialist dealer after a season. They can now be found in almost every major city and in huge halls that offer a large selection: Few brands, but many variants and sizes. Some also offer a nationwide online search and delivery of the desired bike to a nearby branch.
Online shops
In addition to the wholesale centres, which of course also have online shops, they offer an even larger selection of many makes and models. There are no test rides or bargaining here, but there are larger discounts, a right of return and, in some cases, service offers that go beyond the purchase. The best known: Bike Exchange, Bike Components, Lucky Bike, Bicycle XXL, Bike24.
Manufacturer
Direct sellers usually offer a separate section on their website where individual items, discontinued and demonstration models are offered at a discount. At Canyon, and Rose They are sold on the same terms as all other bikes, so financing and leasing are also possible.
Jens Klötzer
Editor
