View Poll Results: Would you buy a used Carbon fiber bike?
Yes, I would pay market price for a bike sold sight unseen.
7
4.73%
Yes, I would by sight unseen if the price was below market
14
9.46%
Yes, unless the bike had obvious signs of a crash
30
20.27%
Only if I could completely inspect the bike first
57
38.51%
Only if I knew the owner and could completely inspect the bike first
18
12.16%
Never
22
14.86%
Voters: 148. You may not vote on this poll
Would you buy a used Carbon fiber bike?
03-27-11, 09:14 AM
#1
Have bike, will travel
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Lake Geneva, WI
Posts: 12,284
Bikes: Ridley Helium SLX, Canyon Endurance SL, De Rosa Professional, Eddy Merckx Corsa Extra, Schwinn Paramount (1 painted, 1 chrome), Peugeot PX10, Serotta Nova X, Simoncini Cyclocross Special, Raleigh Roker, Pedal Force CG2 and CX2
Mentioned: 46 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 910 Post(s)
Liked 288 Times
in
158 Posts
Would you buy a used Carbon fiber bike?
Would you?
03-27-11, 09:32 AM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 135
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Bought a 2003 Trek 5200 locally. No idea how many miles were put on it prior to me acquiring it, but I've since put 4000 miles on it with no problems.
03-27-11, 09:34 AM
#6
Extra Medium Member
Sure. Caveats implied, but buying a used carbon bike is no different than buying a used steel or aluminum bike...all can be a good deal or a bust.
__________________
Droping the hamer since '86
Droping the hamer since '86
03-27-11, 10:33 AM
#8
Full Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Saint Joseph, MO
Posts: 341
Bikes: Poseidon X Ambition
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Not around here. There's a high concentration of dishonest/ignorant people around here.
03-27-11, 10:41 AM
#9
Live to ride ride to live
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Austin, Texas
Posts: 4,896
Bikes: Calfee Tetra Pro
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I bought two. I bought a used complete bike and rode it for a year and then sold the frame and bought another used frame. I bought both of them from photos. The one I still have I bought four years ago for half the price of a new frame. I will keep it forever.
All that is left of the original bike is the brakes, shifters, seat post and cassette. Next summer I will replace the group.
All that is left of the original bike is the brakes, shifters, seat post and cassette. Next summer I will replace the group.
03-27-11, 11:26 AM
#11
moth -----> flame
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 5,916
Bikes: 11 CAAD 10-4, 07 Specialized Roubaix Comp, 98 Peugeot Horizon
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
I'd apply the same degree of skepticism irrespective of frame material. Really, it's only of BF that CF frames lead to thermonuclear explosions after riding over a pothole.
Edit: looking at your poll, I wouldn't buy *any* bike sight unseen.
Edit: looking at your poll, I wouldn't buy *any* bike sight unseen.
__________________
BF, in a nutshell
BF, in a nutshell
03-27-11, 11:44 AM
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 1,637
Bikes: '85 Rossin Super Record, '88 Specialized Sequoia, '10 Raleigh Cadent FT2, '10 Specialized Roubaix Elite
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
03-27-11, 12:23 PM
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 2,606
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I bought a used frameset on Ebay at almost 1/2 retail. With pics, seller defect disclosure, Paypal and Ebay recourse it was worth the risk. I spent the other 1/2 on 404s so it turned out okay. I'd do it again. GL
03-27-11, 01:35 PM
#18
Fat man in a little coat
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Chicago NW Burbs
Posts: 951
Bikes: Trek 7.3 FX, Trek 1.2T
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I bought a used 2010 Madone 5.2 fully loaded. More than half off, couldn't pass that up. Never crashed, though a RD did snap and break the chainstay, which was fixed and given the same exact warranty as every other Trek Madone.
03-27-11, 03:15 PM
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Seattle
Posts: 154
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Did this once. Ebay'd a used carbon Trek. The bike was slightly damaged (is there such a thing for a carbon tube) during shipping due to a very half-assed packing job. The seller took it back which was a relief.
Never again as far as shipping one. Maybe I would buy used locally. Finally bought a brand new Scott from LBS.
Never again as far as shipping one. Maybe I would buy used locally. Finally bought a brand new Scott from LBS.
03-27-11, 03:26 PM
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Syracuse, NY
Posts: 809
Bikes: 2010 Felt F5, 2010 Dawes SST-AL
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I would but as implied above, would insist on inspecting the bike no matter what the material.
The exception to this would be if I was buying from a friend/family member out of town that I know I can trust...
The exception to this would be if I was buying from a friend/family member out of town that I know I can trust...
03-27-11, 03:52 PM
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: NW Burbs, Chicago
Posts: 12,057
Mentioned: 201 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3015 Post(s)
Liked 3,808 Times
in
1,411 Posts
Yes.
03-27-11, 07:56 PM
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Westwood MA (just south of Boston)
Posts: 2,215
Bikes: 2009 Trek Soho
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
yes, done it. took the bike for a 5-mile test ride before handing over the cash though
03-27-11, 08:49 PM
#25
Full Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Lovely Long Beach, CA
Posts: 462
Bikes: Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL3, Bianchi Cafe Milano
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Yes- and have bought used carbon twice now. First was a Giant OCR ltd, which my nephew has since inherited. Most recently was a Cervelo P2.