I buy new, but I've been at it for so long that I expect to start putting scratches and marks on the bike almost as soon as I've got it and I've long since given up worrying about it.

For a first bike, used is a much better option. If it needs a bit of work, that's no bad thing as you'll start to find your way around the bike instead of taking it back for a warranty fix every time it hiccoughs.

Rob

Where do you see it as flagged? You're not talking about the yellow warning up at the top that they put on all CL listings about avoiding scams are you? If so, that's not a flag, it's the standard warning you see on each and every CL listing. If it were flagged then the info and pics would be gone replaced by a notice from CL in huge bold letters. I've seen it a few times.

But yes I'm looking to get my first bike before spring and will 100% be getting used. Perhaps next year I can qualify to get a new bigger bike. But we'll have to wait and see, first things first. Get an inexpensive quality first small bike, ride the hell out of it over the summer (the more miles I ride the better :D ) and then see what happens over next winter.