Cyclocross - eBay item - I'm thinking run, don't walk

I'm new to the cyclocross forum, and would appreciate some opinions on this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/57cm-LEMOND-POPRAD-CYCLOCROSS-COMMUTER-BIKE-LIKE-NEW-NR_W0QQitemZ270130074469QQihZ017QQcategoryZ98084QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Price aside, there are a few things making me very suspicious:
1) wide range of gruppos (sora front der, but d.a. cassette)
2) no mention of mileage, but the seller says "like new"
3) the frame looks new-ish, but some parts have visible wear or road grime

It's almost like the dude slapped together a bunch of spare parts he had lying around.
Thanks.

Bid based upon what you'd keep and don't go over. If it goes over, it's not the bike for you.

As an aside, nice play on the Steve Howe song title.

I'm new to the cyclocross forum, and would appreciate some opinions on this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/57cm-LEMOND-POPRAD-CYCLOCROSS-COMMUTER-BIKE-LIKE-NEW-NR_W0QQitemZ270130074469QQihZ017QQcategoryZ98084QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Looks like a nice frameset to me.


Price aside, there are a few things making me very suspicious:
1) wide range of gruppos (sora front der, but d.a. cassette)
2) no mention of mileage, but the seller says "like new"
3) the frame looks new-ish, but some parts have visible wear or road grime
A DA Cassette and Sora ft der are hardly a wide range of parts. Considering how much abuse a true cross bike takes, it doesn't make any sense to use high level components. You're just going to replace them. A Sora der will work just as well as a DA and be a lot cheaper to replace.

If you are concerned about condition, e-mail the seller. Come right out and ask how the bike came to have all the non standard parts. You can play the guessing game here all day and miss out on a nice deal. No one here knows why the frame looks like it does. All we can do is guess.

Here is some good advice. When you need an answer, ask the horses head not the horses ass. Go ask the seller.

It's almost like the dude slapped together a bunch of spare parts he had lying around.
Thanks.

Actually, that's how many CX bike are born. Someone buys a frame (new or used) and puts all their old road MTB parts to make a nearly complete bike. Then they finish it up with trips to the LBS, Craigslist or Ebay.


Looking at the close-up of the front... they did a crap job of taping the handlebar!

And that's an older Poprad. Maybe 2004? (2006 was orange and 2007 was red)

I think its an 03. 04 was black. I think 05 was similar colors, but they went to true temper tubing in 05 if im not mistaken.. also in 03 they still had sors on there, 04 went all 105.

also, a 57cm lemond is for a big guy. Im 5'9", 150 and ride a 52, which sometimes even feels a bit too big.

~Steve

the general rule of thumb is too buy one size smaller than your normal roadie for a cross bike.. Since this is a 57cm you would need to normally ride a 59cm for it to fit correctly.. This is due to the higher than normal bb height..

I have a Surly Crosscheck and found that after lots of testing that this is correct.. I have a 58cm Crosscheck and all my other road bikes are 60 or 61cm..

I think due to the parts you will have to buy, it is worth about 400-450.00

how cruel, leave bar ends on with a front derailleur no RD. Thats just mean. looks like it was a project bike that never got completed.

how cruel, leave bar ends on with a front derailleur no RD. Thats just mean. looks like it was a project bike that never got completed.

Probably ran out of time and money. His loss is your gain.


Tim

I have been following that auction. I expect the bike to go for a lot more than the current price. The bike looked pretty clean for a cross bike (like it has never been off road). This bike is just too big for me. The Poprad is a great frame (853) and I may get one to replace my Torelli. I would sell off the components. This one is nicely outfitted. Good luck.

Just a heads up on how the auction went. Looks like it went for $425 That's a steal for a frame, fork, headset and wheels. Not to mention all the other accessories that came with it. Looks like a bad move on the OP's part for ignoring this one. Good luck to whoever bought it. A very nice find.

Tim