Purchase Advice Needed

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by xaox
I currently have a trek 4300 mountain bike that I have been using for road riding for the last three years. I have been told repeatedly that I should get a road bike. I just recently joined a local road riding club and one of the members is looking to sell his 2000 model 58 cm R800. It has about four thousand miles on it, all 105 components, spd pedals, and a carbon fiber front fork. He also has an extra pair of new tires that he would throw in. The bike needs shifters and brake cables: he said that he took them off and put them on his new hybrid which he uses to ride to work.

Assuming that when I look at the bike it is in good condition and appears to be well taken care of (Are there any tests that I can do to check the condition of individual parts?) what is this bike worth?

Thankyou,

Dan

I would check the frame to make sure there are no hairline cracks. While this can be quite hard to do, inspect it as best you can. Check the frame to make sure it is not bent. The fork and real triangle are especially prone to bending in crashes.

Then, make sure the wheels are true, the hubs and bottom bracket, and head set all rotate without grinding, hesitation, or odd sounds.

Check the chain, cassette and rings for wear. Check all connections to be sure they are tight and there is no rust around them.

Then and only then try to estimate its worth. Go to EBay and look for one like yours. If you can't find one similar and estimate that price differential between new and apply the same formulat to the 'Dale.

Sounds like, if not crashed hard or wrecked, could be a workable road bike. I wouldn't pay a lot for a bike with 4 year old 105 components, but if you're just looking for a good road ride, get it cheap, geta tune up, and go for it. I definitely wouldn't pay a dime over $200 (ceratinly without shifters), though I'm a lousy price estimate.

PS- Don't trust eBay pricing. Most people pay too much on eBay. Check local listings, e.g. craigslists, want ads, roadbikereview.com.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by tcklyde
Sounds like, if not crashed hard or wrecked, could be a workable road bike. I wouldn't pay a lot for a bike with 4 year old 105 components, but if you're just looking for a good road ride, get it cheap, geta tune up, and go for it. I definitely wouldn't pay a dime over $200 (ceratinly without shifters), though I'm a lousy price estimate.

PS- Don't trust eBay pricing. Most people pay too much on eBay. Check local listings, e.g. craigslists, want ads, roadbikereview.com.

I would agree with no more than $200. Even then it may not be much of a bargain.

If you are going to ride the bike regularly and you can afford a new bike, I would definitely go with new. There are plenty of good 105 bikes new for $800-$1000. If that is too much then maybe this bike is a good alternative.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by tcklyde
......PS- Don't trust eBay pricing. Most people pay too much on eBay. Check local listings, e.g. craigslists, want ads, roadbikereview.com.

Don’t trust eBay at all especially if you’re a prospective buyer. You just really don’t know what your getting.