I’ve decided to buy my first road bike! I’ve been doing indoor spin classes for about a year and want to get into outdoor riding. My goal is to ride 2–3 hours, 1–2 times a week, plus a few shorter rides on other days. Mostly on paved roads, with some light gravel mixed in.
I found a 2021 Giant Contend AR 2 listed for $1,400 CAD. would this be a good first road bike?
Details from the listing:
• Size: Small
• Under 100 km total ridden
• Like new / perfect condition
• Comes with everything (saddle, pedals, cup holder, etc.)
Would love to know:
• Is this a fair deal for a first road bike?
• What should I look for when inspecting it in person?
• Any specific questions I should ask the seller?
• What should I watch out for gear/fit/condition-wise?
The seller is okay with meeting at a local bike shop so I can have it checked out (I’ll pay the shop for the inspection). Any tips on what to have the shop focus on would also be super helpful!
by Murr765
2 Comments
That’s a solid bike! The modern aluminum frame and tire clearance are good enough for your gravel plans. However, keep in mind those are mechanical brakes; at that price, you might be better off looking for a Merida with a Tiagra or 105 groupset to get hydraulic brakes instead.
It also looks like the previous owner flipped the stem, which usually means the fit wasn’t right for them. Are you mostly drawn to the color/look of this one, or are you prioritizing the technical specs? Also, how tall are you and what is your gender? That will help figure out if this frame actually fits you.
I have a similar Contend and generally like the bike. One thing I don’t love about it, the seat post is proprietary and called D-fuse, so for a first road bike it might be harder to make adjustments if you want to swap it out. I also don’t love how much of a pain it is to set saddle height.