Ebay bike parts and safety

Triathlon Forum
1

Do you buy bike parts on ebay? Do you worry about safety?

I’m wanting to upgrade my road bike to Ultegra, and have been finding good deals on components on ebay. But part of me is wary of buying the sti shifters and brakes, for example, when my life depends on the brakes being fully functional. Or brake calipers. What if I’m cruising down some hill at 40 mph and my brakes completely fail because they were purchased used?

Should I just bite the bullet and pay for new parts? Or possibly risk safety and buy used on ebay? Thoughts?

2

probikekit.com
Just buy new from these guys.

3

I have bought everything from STI shifters, cranks, brakes, aerobars etc etc etc on ebay and have never had a problem. I usually by new or relatively new stuff. Do your research and buy from a reputable seller and you shouldn’t have a problem.

4

on your components shouldn’t matter, likelyhood of both brakes breaking at all or both at one time is extremely remote if you’re buying Ultegra. however, parts like a stem, handlebars, seatpost i would definitely buy new. those are parts that could break with tons of use. i bought a stem on there only to find out that it had been recalled for breakage.

5

if you’re buying new via ebay, make sure its from an authorized dealer or else Campy or Shimano won’t honor the warranty.

Lickbike.com or bikeparts.com has good prices on new parts.

with used gear, all bets are off anyway.

6

I would be especially leery of used STI shifters, there are too many moving parts.

I second probikekit this place is awesome. Just bought a Dura Ace/R700 setup with exactly the right crank length and cluster for 871.00 shipped.

Watch their website for 5%, 10% or free shipping, they usually list something every 3 weeks or so.