Is it a good idea to buy a used high end carbon road bike?

Many people buy bicycles without checking on the warranty provided for the frame or its components. Eg, I have customers requesting us to repair their hydraulic disc brake and gears on their new bicycle which should still be under warranty.

If you want to buy used bicycles with carbon frames, find one from companies that offer the best warranty. Eg, manufacturers from China like XDS, provides 3 years warranty on their carbon frames and 5 years warranty on their alloy frames for the original owner. Trek offers only 2 years warranty for carbon frame but lifetime warranty on other type of frames. I read that they also have a loyalty program, whereby they will offer a discount to replace damaged carbon frame.

These warranties are for manufacturing defects, so the warranty will be voided if you have an accident which damaged the frame. However, companies like Calfee provide 10 years warranty for carbon frame repairs from the original date of service. They will even perform an inspection for second buyers of their used frame and perform any repairs which are covered under warranty at no additional charge.

So, if you still intend to buy used carbon frame bike, you may want to check with the owner the kind of warranty he still holds for the carbon frame. Then you will have to negotiate with the seller to see if there is a way you can get him to assist you in getting this warranty claim should you face a problem after riding it.

Note though that you may like the carbon frame but not like the components already installed. The next question to ask the seller or discover for yourself is whether you will be able to find spare parts for its components during repairs. It will be time consuming and costly for you to replace parts that are difficult to find, especially if you intend to maintain a complete groupset.

Should I sell my very old 26er full suspension mountain bike and buy a new carbon 29er or 27.5 hardtail?

I don’t think you can get a very good price if you sell your “very old 26er full suspension mountain bike”. If you don’t need the money from selling it to get a carbon bike, you can consider keeping it so you can mount it on a trainer to cycle indoor if the weather is bad.


Also, shorter members in the family can still make good use of it. Most bicycle parts are generic so you should not have any problem getting replacement parts for it.

It is practical to switch to the lightweight carbon frame 29er or 27.5er if that is what your cycling mates are riding on. You do not want to be chasing after them on your heavy “very old 26er full suspension mountain bike”. Moreover, your cycling mates will be able to cover more distance per pedal revolution on their 29er or 27.5er.

Just a personal opinion. I am not confident about MTB with carbon frame yet which is why you will  only find only roadbike with carbon frame in Jom Johan.

Which is the best bicycle under RM10K for long distances?

Under RM10K you can get a carbon frame and fork 20 speed road bike with full Shimano 105 groupset.

The manufacturer of this XDS bike is Shenzhen Xidesheng Bicycles Co., Ltd. It is the world’s largest carbon-fiber manufacturing company. Their focus is on ultra-light bicycle technology for carbon or aluminium frame bicycles and parts.

It is also the world’s only company that has its own bicycle-testing base with a laboratory which has been certified by Germany’s TUV.

Since they design and build bicycles for other brands, you may likely see this same model with other brand name on it in your own country.