Road Cycling - Damaged goods....

I have a chance to bid on a Trek 5200 with the USPS paint scheme (blue and white with red). Not sure what year, but the frame looks to be in good shape and all of the components are Campy (not sure if they are Record) and in good working order. I think the front tire and rim (or at least 2 spokes) might need to be replaced. One last thing.....it was in a minor car v. cycle accident.

I am just starting out riding road and this would be my first venture into the sport. What would you be willing to pay for unknown damage to get a bike that could be worth a few thousand bucks? Or, would you save yourself the headache and just buy a new bike (say Orbea) from the LBS.

The frame is the right size for me.

From what I know about the bike, in general, the frame is supposed to be very strong, so I'm not sure if the frame would have even been damaged.

If it was me, I wouldn't bid on it sight unseen. Ideally I'd want my LBS to check it over first.

If it was me, I wouldn't bid on it sight unseen. Ideally I'd want my LBS to check it over first.

because your LBS can take X-rays of the frame to look for signs of stress that haven't creeped through to the paint yet? anything that the LBS says about a frame, is going to basically be gut instinct based on the description. carbon doesn't DISPLAY any signs of weakness until it cracks, (which is a lot like aluminum, steel will usually bend first, or otherwise deform before it breaks) in which case it's worthless. ANY accident where there is an impact involved is likely to cause un-due stress on ANY frame. don't bid on it. it might be fine, but then again, it might not be. do you want to take that risk?

i don't mean to sound hostile...i just think it'd be pointless to take a carbon frame to the LBS...they (carbon frames) can't be knocked out of alignment unless they break, and breaks (especially in carbon) are usually painfully obvious.

semi off-topic, but, regarding frame alignment, some might find it informative, i know i did: carbon frames are the ONLY frames that you can count on 99.9% to be in perfect alignment straight from the factory, unless there's a defect, and carbon frames STAY in alignment until they break. steel has a much higher, and more acceptable margin of error for alignment from the factory, because you can cold-set it back. aluminum is almost as reliable as carbon, if an aluminum frame comes from the factory visibly mis-aligned, you should probably just send it back because you cannot cold-set it. and of course if a steel frame is really, REALLY horrifically mis-aligned, then it should go back as well, but i think anything between .1cm and 1cm is acceptable...maybe even 1.5cm...

because your LBS can take X-rays of the frame to look for signs of stress that haven't creeped through to the paint yet? anything that the LBS says about a frame, is going to basically be gut instinct based on the description. carbon doesn't DISPLAY any signs of weakness until it cracks, (which is a lot like aluminum, steel will usually bend first, or otherwise deform before it breaks) in which case it's worthless. ANY accident where there is an impact involved is likely to cause un-due stress on ANY frame. don't bid on it. it might be fine, but then again, it might not be. do you want to take that risk?

i don't mean to sound hostile...i just think it'd be pointless to take a carbon frame to the LBS...they (carbon frames) can't be knocked out of alignment unless they break, and breaks (especially in carbon) are usually painfully obvious.

semi off-topic, but, regarding frame alignment, some might find it informative, i know i did: carbon frames are the ONLY frames that you can count on 99.9% to be in perfect alignment straight from the factory, unless there's a defect, and carbon frames STAY in alignment until they break. steel has a much higher, and more acceptable margin of error for alignment from the factory, because you can cold-set it back. aluminum is almost as reliable as carbon, if an aluminum frame comes from the factory visibly mis-aligned, you should probably just send it back because you cannot cold-set it. and of course if a steel frame is really, REALLY horrifically mis-aligned, then it should go back as well, but i think anything between .1cm and 1cm is acceptable...maybe even 1.5cm...

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Yes, but if I could get it for $400-500, wouldn't it be worth it just for the parts? And to the other reply, I would be inspecting it prior to bid.

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Yes, but if I could get it for $400-500, wouldn't it be worth it just for the parts? And to the other reply, I would be inspecting it prior to bid.

That all depends. Mid-level Campy parts (or Shimano for that matter) with 20-30K on them are not worth a whole heck of a lot. At the same time if it were built with full Record 10 and had 2-3k on it, that would be worth something. Remember that some of the older high end groups don't work as well as the new mid-range stuff that may be comparable in cost.

I wouldn't want a Trek carbon sight unseen that had been in a car/bike crash.

I'd look in another direction but that's me.

There are lots of bikes to bid on in the world. Don't get a bike that has been in a wreck unless you know EXACTLY what you are dealing with.

My advice is to move on from this bike and continue your search....

I ended up buying the bike. It has full Campy Record 10 speed and Kysrium rims. The guy at the shop told me the frame is a 2002 and the components have to be '02 or newer. Hardly any wear on them at all. I've put about 150 miles on the bike and love it. I got it for $750 and it included the pedals. I bought some shoes, socks and a helmut and all for less than $1,000 bucks.

PS...I know it says Shimano on the chainstay, but it has Campy.

So what kind of damage did it end up having ?

Carbon fiber wither breaks or it doesn't, there is no middle ground.

Yes I know that carbon fiber either breaks or it doesn't. My point in having a LBS look it over first was that they would be able to give an objective opinion of the bike. Most people when they see what looks to be a great deal on something, let their emotions take over, which isn't always a good thing. I've seen cracks in carbon fiber that at first glance, appears to be just a crack in the paint. Having a non-emotionally involved third party would help in spotting any cracks. Personally, I would have had the bike stripped and the frame and fork checked closely for any signs of damage.

G'day,

haven't I seen this bike on some other thread here, recently?....I remember it cos I couldn't help wondering what sort of 'peckerhead' would buy a 'team replica' bike & change the gruppo, (especially when the 'gruppo' is printed on the bike!), surely the reason for buying a 'team replica' is............!!!!!

Anyway, looks like you have done a good deal, the wheels & frame alone are worth more than you paid for it.....well done......now all you need to do is get a 'proper' gruppo, (rather than one thats sounds like a spaghetti sauce!)(flame on!) & you'll be in business!

cheers,

Hitchy

wheels & frame alone are worth more than you paid for it
Yeah, now that he DOES have a proper gruppo on it! ;)

So what kind of damage did it end up having ?

It needed a new brake cable, true both wheels and re-connect two rear spokes. They had to replace one of the parts (about $15 and I think it was called a barrel adjuster). All-in-all, it was about $50 in repairs.

It needed a new brake cable, true both wheels and re-connect two rear spokes. They had to replace one of the parts (about $15 and I think it was called a barrel adjuster). All-in-all, it was about $50 in repairs.

Sounds like a pretty amazing deal, congrats! :)