bwatford141

I just recently sold my 2020 Domane SL 5 after deciding that it was just too big for me at 60cm. I have looking at getting a Domane SL 7, and found a Trek dealer that has a "slightly used, returned" SL 7 being sold for $5500 ($500 off retail). This bike will be sold as new with all of the original warranty, etc. The bike looks basically brand new, minus a small scratch on the seatpost.

To me this seems like a pretty good deal. Thoughts?

bruce19

Does it fit?

drewtk

That seems like a fair deal assuming that’s the only blemish, but I would also want it to be the exact color I want as well. You should confirm that Trek will still honor the warranty though since you technically aren’t the original owner.

Bikes are pretty hard to find now, so if you come across the one you want, pull the trigger.

bwatford141

Ha! Yes...with the newer geometry of the Domane, a 58cm frame is better suited for me.

GlennR

^^^^^^
This.

$500 off is worth a scratch you'd have a week later.

blakcloud

To me it's a no brainer. Full warranty, save some cash, sounds great.

PoorInRichfield

I guess it's up to you to decide if that price is a deal or not, but as a 2020 Domane SL7 owner for the past year, I must say that I absolutely love my bike.

Does the shop you're buying from normally deal in higher end bikes? If not, they probably see the bike as a boat anchor and would just like to get rid of it and get their money back. My local Trek dealer never buys higher-end bikes except on special order because they just don't sell well. I personally would try to haggle a bit more on the price. If they don't bite, just wait a while and try again later. If you live in the north like I do, winter is just around the corner and no one is thinking about buying bikes right now. The 2020 model you're looking at will just be sitting on the sales floor when the 2021 models start arriving (of which the 2021 models are already listed on Trek's website) and most people are going to want the newest model.

(Click here for details on my bike mods)

Maelochs

I agree with the above posters. If the $5500 price tag seems reasonable for the bike generally, given the other particulars---perfect fit, as-new condition, warranty---the $500 scratch is a bargain. How many of us would deliberately put a tiny, unobtrusive scratch on a bike to save $500? As @GlennR notes, you will almost certainly put the scratch there for free in a few months' riding anyway.

I also agree with @PoorInRichfield---if they are willing to come down $500, they might be willing to go lower. It is almost "last year's model," which alone would net you $500 off the MSRP.

It depends on your luck and the area in which you live. If bikes of that cost seem to sell quickly, buy it while you can--or risk buying one at full price in a short while.

On the other hand, if bikes like that tend to sit around a while .... tell them a story about the lonely, year-old Domane sitting unused in the corner all next year, and offer then $5K. if they don't bite, wait a while, or pay up the extra $500. Your choice, your money, gamble if you want. But for certain offer them less. If they say "No," offer them what they ask, no harm done.

Mulberry20

I think $5,000.00 for any pre-built bike is expensive given that custom or semi-custom bikes can be built up for around that price. I would pass.

I have a hard stop at $3,500.00 for a pre-built bike.

Maelochs

Here i would---Provisionally--agree.

I am afraid to look into custom, because i don't know how my body will change over the coming years, and what geometry might best suit me--or be demanded by my physical limitations. It might be hard to sell a bike built specifically to suit my warped proportions.

Otherwise .... Absolutely. I don't know what custom carbon costs, but I might prefer a titanium road/gravel/light touring set-up, For $5K I would build up Two Chinabomb frames and have two excellent bikes.

However, the guy had a very specific question about a very specific situation, so I figured just once, I would actually be responsive. Change of pace and all.

Mulberry20

Any good frame builder will size for those allowances. Tinker with it as the years go by. Stainless steels bikes by Barco are running 17.5lbs even without a carbon fork, so 2.5 lbs lighter than that Trek.

PoorInRichfield

If the OP was concerned about weight, he'd be looking at a Trek Emonda. The Domane is an endurance bike with front and rear ISO decouplers that work quite well for dampening shock from the rider. You won't find this kind of built-in dampening on a steel frame, nor will you find a downtube storage box (which I love on my Domane ). I personally am a total weight-weenie, but my 2,500+ miles this year on my chubby Domane has proven to me that riding comfort has actually allowed me to ride faster despite the small weight penalty of the bike. I no longer feel like I was beat with a rubber mallet when I'm done riding, which becomes increasingly important as I get older.

bwatford141

Thanks for the comments guys! The SL7 that I found is in Connecticut. I am located in Naples, FL. I have tried getting closer to $5k on the bike, but they are sticking firm on their price with free shipping to FL. As far as weight goes...I have had an Emonda in the past. They're great, but I really prefer the comfortable ride that the Domane has.

Ultimately, I think that I am going to pass on the bike for now. I'm thinking that in the next month or two the used market is going to get flooded with COVID purchases, Trek employees unloading their personal bikes as they get 2021s and the usually end of season selloff.

Mulberry20

The bike boom is going to end, sit tight.

jay4usc

smart choice. I can’t wait until January as I will be shopping for a bike.

Sy Reene

$500 off last year's model ? That's only 10%, and the bike a bit used with a some sort of a scratch. When is this ever a good deal?

Rogerogeroge

That bike has Ultegra di2 and a $1,300 wheelset. That's going to leave you about $1,200 for a custom frame. And handlebar, stem, saddle, seatpost.

Mulberry20

That’s why I said around. At least to me I would spend another grand or two to go custom. I have prices from Barco and Casati for custom bikes with Chorus and Shamal Carbon wheels for approximately $6500.

That said, DeSalvo in Oregon has what he calls a “builders special” at 5k with DI2. It is a semi custom bike.

All I am trying to say is 5k is a lot for an off the rack bike, carbon or not.

Maelochs

On the other hand, $5K buys an awful lot of motorcycle.

Cracks me up that I used to ride bikes and dream of being able to afford a motorcycle

Atlas Shrugged

+Head set, Handlebar tape, Bottle cages, tires and tubes not a lot left for a frame if you ask me. The typical format of the what do you think of Brand X discussion; Buy brand Y or you are a fool, Buy custom steel because that Brand X is a rip off and will explode underneath you, Buy used and get a great deal on a Schwinn Paramount.

70sSanO

I think it is a good decision. You are buying a “used” bike from an out of state dealer.

I have my doubts that it really has a warranty that you would get with an actual new bike, regardless of what the dealer said. If it could be sold as new, they would probably not advertise it as a used bike.

And I’m not sure if asking Trek will give any better ground to stand on if there is an issue, unless you get something in writing; which I imagine that is pretty unlikely.

I’m betting that bike sits there and they eventually sell it for less than $5k.

John