Demo Bikes (2): Would you buy an ex-demo?

[alp1950]

Finally managed to demo a road bike (2008 Trek Madone 5.2). Lovely bike, but expensive. 2009 stock due soon & shop obviously looking to shift the 2008 demo. Offered the demo bike at substantial discount (£1500- list price £2300).
Tempted but the bike looks as though it's been ridden pretty heavily over the last year- at least judging by the state of the handlebar tape and odd scratches. No evidence of major injuries but who knows what the bike has been subject to?
No doubt a year's guarantee will be included, and whilst this might be a good deal I would regret not experiencing the feel & aesthetics of a brand new bike so I guess I'll pass on the offer. Anyhow I see that Evans are now offering the 5.2 at £2100- wonder if the price will fall any further as the 2009 stock comes in?

 

[andy_wrx]

I did buy an ex-demo bike, but it was in pretty pristine condition and a decent saving (~40% off).

It felt like a good deal : the price was what I wanted to spend and I was getting a lot more bike for it - and it looked/felt like a new bike.

If it were tatty, or just gave that impression, then it would feel like a secondhand bike, not 'special', and it sounds like that would bother you ?

 

[Globalti]

I would definitley buy an ex-demo bike, I wouldn't mind the scars and scratches, as long as there was no lasting damage (dented frame for example.) I would spend some of the money I'd just saved on new bits like grips, tyres and transmission of my choice and maybe some touch-up paint.

If you buy new, you can be certain that on day 1 you'll lean it against a wall and it will slip and scratch the top tube.

 

[Arch]

It must be so nice to be able to pass up a £800 discount on account of a few scratches....

I've never even spent £800 on a car, let alone a bike...

Ho hum...

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Ditto :-)

It must be so nice to be able to pass up a £800 discount on account of a few scratches....

I've never even spent £800 on a car, let alone a bike...

Ho hum...

 

[domtyler]

Offer £1200, they will almost certainly come down a little more than £1500. First rule of negotiation - never accept the first offer!

 

[Danny]

A new bike will loose a big % of its value the first time it leaves the shop, so buying a discounted demo bike could make a lot of financial sense.

What does the shop say the bike was actually used for? I would expect a bike which had just been used for short demo rides to be in near-perfect condition.

You are going are going to start getting wear and tear on a new bike as soon as you start using the time you have to "experience the feel & aesthetics of a brand new bike" is likely to be short anyway.