Road Cycling - buying a used carbon fiber bike, need help

I am looking at buying a trek 5200, the add reads like new, is there any potential hidden damage I must be aware of? Or if the paint looks good I that must mean the frame is good?

this is a 2004 with low miles

look for scratches. Carbon fiber is hard, light and strong...

But when strands are damaged... the structural integrity of the component(s) affected will not be so good..

I think the OCLV is bonded internally and doesn't necessarily show any damage on the outside.

Here's an interesting article about the durability of it:
http://chainreaction.com/carblife.htm

I sure hope not - I just bought a used 5200 with approximately 1000 miles on it - I have a 1995 Trek 9800 mountain bike which has been well used over the years with no hint of structural problems. Good luck!

Does the trek waranty transfer over?

Does the trek waranty transfer over?


Hi. You know I was just reading the warranty blurb in this year's Trek catalogue. it says the lifetime warranty only applies if you buy the bike from a licensed retailer and it only applies for the original purchaser of the bike.

But that's just the OFFICIAL blurb. You always hear anecdotal evidence that Trek helps people out all the time even if they aren't the original owner. who knows.

look at the bottom bracket area and the chainstay. In earlier models there was a problem with the chain being sucked between the crank and the chainstay.

good luck.

I actually purchased a 2003 Trek 5200 Carbon with about 300 miles on it. But there is some damage to the carbon fiber on near that trek sticker on the seat tube opposite the front derailler but a little higher. It looks like some of the top layer of the carbon fiber has been scratched off. Should I really worry or is not a big deal. The size of the damage is about the size of quarter. Any advice you could provide would be great.

Thanks,
Mark

Why are they selling it. ?

Run away.

I've posted a similar message before. If you search through previous posts, you'll find the thread. I bought a used 5200 that was involved in a minor car v. bike accident. No visible damage to the bike. I bought it for such a good price, I didn't really care too much about the frame b/c the components were in great shape and I couldn't have bought them for the price I got the entire bike for.

No problems to date and I've had it for about 2 months and put almost 350 miles on it. One flat tire and that's about it. Bottom line...if the parts are higher end shimano or campy and you get it for the right price, I don't see how you could go wrong. My .02.

I actually purchased a 2003 Trek 5200 Carbon with about 300 miles on it. But there is some damage to the carbon fiber on near that trek sticker on the seat tube opposite the front derailler but a little higher. It looks like some of the top layer of the carbon fiber has been scratched off. Should I really worry or is not a big deal. The size of the damage is about the size of quarter. Any advice you could provide would be great.

Superficial scratching of the clear coat may not necessarily condemn a carbon component. Even a deeper scratch might be okay depending on where it is, how deep, the layup of the CF, etc... That said, I certainly would be very reluctant to purchase any carbon component with any amount of damage without knowing the full and truthful history of said item.