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I returned to the world of bikes as an adult in 2016. Since then I've owned six bikes, of which none have been new...
200X Genesis touring bike of some description, gifted by my BIL and I ended up gifting it back as it's not really my thing.
2008 26er Giant Anthem: first proper MTB built from used bits, rode it 6 months or so then smashed my wrist and (unfairly) blamed the bike so stopped riding it. Still have the frame.
2008 Cotic Soul: frame/fork/wheels from eBay/classifieds, partially cannibalised the Anthem. Still have the bike, is my shopping/hack bike now.
2010 Saracen Ariel: rolling chassis from a mate, partially cannibalised the Soul for the rest. Still have the frame.
2020 NS Eccentric Evo: new(!) frame from CRC sale, eBay/classifieds/partsbin everything else. Got nicked 🙁
2022 Cotic BFEMax: new frame again, eBay/classifieds everything else. My current MTB.
Probably the closest to new is the BFEMax in that the frame was new and a lot of the bits very nearly new; but none of them could really be considered a "brand new bike".
200? - Giant XTC
2009 - Spesh Enduro Expert
****2015 - Second hand SC Nomad 4
2019 - Starling Murmur (bought in parts and built by me)
2020 - Privateer 161
2023 - Whyte e160
Having an older brother, I even had hand-me-downs all through my childhood ☹️
Complete bikes only?
Bought for me (as a Child) I had four new bikes, my very first kids bike (think it was a Raleigh), a Raleigh Burner BMX, An Emmelle ATB thing and finally a Diamondback Ascent EX when I was about 11 I think.
Then I Bought for myself a new Kona Fire mountain with my own money (circa 1995 IIRC) as a teenager. About 15 years after that I bought a Carrera Road bike (via C2W) and a couple of years after that got a dirt Cheap 'Viking' Fixie New (straight out of the container I assume, sold via eBay) which has done sterling service as a commuter/pub bike in various iterations over the last decade or so (currently being rebuilt again).
So a grand total of seven complete, new bikes over a roughly 40 year period.
I've also bought a few brand new frames and forks and then built those up with a mixture of new and used parts over the years, but most of my current bikes have been assembled by me around a used frame.
New complete bikes only
1993(ish) - Apollo 3000 - must have been made of tungsten, was incredibly heavy
1996 - Marin Bolinas Ridge
<gap for beer, weed, women>
2010 - Revolution Triad from Edinburgh Cycles
2013 - Voodoo Bantu
2014 - On One Fatty
2016 - Pinnacle Arkose
2018 - Cotic Rocket
Plus numerous other bikes made from bits and bobs, or bought secondhand.
Interesting topic, listing mine out as much for my interest as anything!
1989 Raleigh Mustang SIS
1991 Trek 830
1991 Trek 8000 (got myself a job in a bike shop :-))
1993 Diamond Back Apex? or Ascent?
1997 Marin Mount Vision
2005 Giant Trance
2012 Giant Anthem X3
2015 Giant Anthem 2
2015 Boardman CX Comp
2016 Pinnacle Arkose
2017 GT Grade X
2017 GT Grade Carbon
2022 Rondo Ruut Carbon
I think the only new, complete, ready to ride bike I've ever had was my C2W scheme Condor Pista Steel bought in 2004. The frame cracked in 2018, so got rebuilt with a s/h Genesis Flyer frame. That's since learning to ride aged 19 in 1993.
All the rest have either been used or frameswaps (frame new or used), or a new frame built up with a mix of componentry sourced new and used (eg my 40th b/day Enigma has a s/hand Super Record groupset, most of the rest of it was new, but all sourced and built up by me).
TBH, I can't really imagine walking into a shop and going "I'll have that one, please"
TBH, I can’t really imagine walking into a shop and going “I’ll have that one, please”
Agreed. Even the sole new bike I bought was just for the frame.
As for warranties - I’ve never broken a frame or fork. I guess I’m not gnarr/rad/brave enough.
My only brand new mtb was my first 'proper' one. A 2005 Kona coiler, bought in 2006 for something like 1/2 RRP.
Turns out there was a very good reason for this 'bargain'. It was rubbish.
I always built bikes from parts secondhand thereafter.
One. A mongoose hard tail, 12ish years ago. Everything else 2nd hand, either full bike or frames that get built up with a collection of new and used parts.