This is kindof a PSA / FYI post I have been thinking about for a while:
I have been looking for a deal on two different bikes (road and tri) for two friends who have asked me for help. I spent 10 years previously in the bike industry and have stayed pretty attuned to what's going on since leaving 15 years ago.
Anyway, in looking at CL there are some tell-tale signs of a great deal, that seem to run commonly and almost create a persona / profile user of a great deal for you in the making....
First, my sense is in road and tri the sweet spot bargain wise seems to be about 5-7 year old models. Newer and you pay a lot more, older and you get something that has some serious impediments to modern upgrades. Generally you see stuff for 1/2-1/3 of what it sold for new. Examples might be P2 pre 2014 or a Cannondale CAAD 9 or 10 road bike... These bikes are very commonly being sold. I think this is the sweetspot to buy a used bike and have money for meaningful upgrades that will make the bike great.
Next, look for the following:
- An all original OEM bike - look for something that the user bought and felt was fine as is - if they ever really got into riding they typically start upgrading, you want the bike from the one and done tri person, or the person who tried the bike for a season then moved on. It then sat there for five years and now they are finally trying to sell it.
- If there are upgrades they should be limited to stems (like a 45 degree rise stem for more comfort!) or seats
- All original tires, complete with nubbies and no wear on the rear if visible in the photos
- The background of the photos should seem normal, not too much junk or clutter.
- Noobs typically take strange photos of their bikes, i.e. non drivetrain side-profile, irrelevant additional pictures such as a close up of where the seat hits the seatpost, etc.
- When you see the original reflectors in a photo that is a great sign the seller failed to launch
- Valve stem donuts and caps that are identical F+R, they mean that they never got a flat or that they never learned they are not even necessary
- Jacked up computer mounts, really crazy wiring or backward sensors, but better because you can ask to see the odometer
- If there are photos of parts like cassettes and chainrings they don't look worn at all
- poorly positioned seat height, handlebar angle, or seat tilt - guaranteeing the bike was never to comfortable to ride and probably did not get ridden much
- One seller had his ironman race stickers on that I googled to 2010 and athlinks confirmed he had never done another race
- Comments like "I only used this in one race"
I am sure there is more that I am not thinking about but for me these are the things I see when looking for a deal.
I have been looking for a deal on two different bikes (road and tri) for two friends who have asked me for help. I spent 10 years previously in the bike industry and have stayed pretty attuned to what's going on since leaving 15 years ago.
Anyway, in looking at CL there are some tell-tale signs of a great deal, that seem to run commonly and almost create a persona / profile user of a great deal for you in the making....
First, my sense is in road and tri the sweet spot bargain wise seems to be about 5-7 year old models. Newer and you pay a lot more, older and you get something that has some serious impediments to modern upgrades. Generally you see stuff for 1/2-1/3 of what it sold for new. Examples might be P2 pre 2014 or a Cannondale CAAD 9 or 10 road bike... These bikes are very commonly being sold. I think this is the sweetspot to buy a used bike and have money for meaningful upgrades that will make the bike great.
Next, look for the following:
- An all original OEM bike - look for something that the user bought and felt was fine as is - if they ever really got into riding they typically start upgrading, you want the bike from the one and done tri person, or the person who tried the bike for a season then moved on. It then sat there for five years and now they are finally trying to sell it.
- If there are upgrades they should be limited to stems (like a 45 degree rise stem for more comfort!) or seats
- All original tires, complete with nubbies and no wear on the rear if visible in the photos
- The background of the photos should seem normal, not too much junk or clutter.
- Noobs typically take strange photos of their bikes, i.e. non drivetrain side-profile, irrelevant additional pictures such as a close up of where the seat hits the seatpost, etc.
- When you see the original reflectors in a photo that is a great sign the seller failed to launch
- Valve stem donuts and caps that are identical F+R, they mean that they never got a flat or that they never learned they are not even necessary
- Jacked up computer mounts, really crazy wiring or backward sensors, but better because you can ask to see the odometer
- If there are photos of parts like cassettes and chainrings they don't look worn at all
- poorly positioned seat height, handlebar angle, or seat tilt - guaranteeing the bike was never to comfortable to ride and probably did not get ridden much
- One seller had his ironman race stickers on that I googled to 2010 and athlinks confirmed he had never done another race
- Comments like "I only used this in one race"
I am sure there is more that I am not thinking about but for me these are the things I see when looking for a deal.