Road Cycling - Used bike values

Ok so I have been told my '01 Giant XTC2 basically isn't worth much. $800 hardtail mtn bike ridden very little and in mint condition MIGHT be worth half of the original price. So this brings me to my real question:

What about buying a used bike? I have been watching eBay and was looking at an 02 Fuji Roubaix that was in my size and lookd to be in super condition. The private seller had a min bid of $700 and a BIN of $900. I didn't bid and neither did anyone else, only a couple people even viewed the auction. So what is this bike worth if not $700?

I would probably pay about $380 for the used fuji. I am a little afraid to buy a road bike that has been used(like buying a used subaru sti) people have a tendency to abuse them and they are not as durable. It is also a few years old.

I would probably pay about $380 for the used fuji. I am a little afraid to buy a road bike that has been used(like buying a used subaru sti) people have a tendency to abuse them and they are not as durable. It is also a few years old.

Wow that sure is low, also not the comment I ecpected to hear about the bike's condition. I sort of assume that anyone that is going to drop over a grand on a bike is going to take care of it.

I dropped about 3 grand on mine, and I wouldn't expect to get more than 800 out of it. If you want to pay more for the bike, feel free.

Cosmetics are not important, you can't tell how much a bike has been abused till you ride it. And unless you have ridden a new one, you still wont be able to tell the difference

low miles?=how can you tell, wouldn't believe what someone on ebay tells you.

I remember seeing a new roubaix from colorado cyclist a couple of years ago for $680, and that was new. 700 is wayyyyyy too high, 380 might be too low. But be safe and don't pay more than you should.

Lookin at a 2003 year model mtb bike and its almost 2005. their price is $1299 they will take off $300. Is that enough or should i haggle with them some more? Any opinions?

eBay still has good used bike values. keeping a positive feedback rating is very important and even powersellers are very conscious of that.

it's true that things sometimes go for more than they're worth, and it's _also true that there are plenty of individuals who try unrealistic starting bids or reserves because they can't help thinking, "but this bike was $2200 when i bought it new a few years ago". this is no different from shopping for used stuff out of the paper or something like that. you just need to make a fair appraisal on your own, that's all.

i don't accept the boogie-man talk that everybody on eBay is trying to rip you off or that there are a thousand common sense reasons why you shouldn't trust anybody. if somebody has a solid feedback rating and has never even gotten a negative feedback i think they can be trusted to accurately describe an item, respond to questions in good faith, and complete a transaction.

I am a little afraid to buy a road bike that has been used(like buying a used subaru sti) people have a tendency to abuse them and they are not as durable. It is also a few years old.
That's nonsense.

Wow that sure is low, also not the comment I ecpected to hear about the bike's condition. I sort of assume that anyone that is going to drop over a grand on a bike is going to take care of it.Assumptions like that are dangerous.

Ok so I have been told my '01 Giant XTC2 basically isn't worth much. $800 hardtail mtn bike ridden very little and in mint condition MIGHT be worth half of the original price. So this brings me to my real question:

What about buying a used bike? I have been watching eBay and was looking at an 02 Fuji Roubaix that was in my size and lookd to be in super condition. The private seller had a min bid of $700 and a BIN of $900. I didn't bid and neither did anyone else, only a couple people even viewed the auction. So what is this bike worth if not $700?
That bid history tells you it was overpriced. Some ebay sellers are dilusional,and others are trolling for suckers.

You have discovered my secret. High end bikes don't keep their value, period. Even worse than new cars. It's because the majority of people who are willing to spend 2, 3, 4 grand or more on a bike aren't serious enough to know and don't want something that is used. They got that when they settled for their car. So, whether you are looking for a complete bike or just a frameset, there are deals to be negotiated. Great deals. But you have to find them and work them.

Look at the list of bikes I have. From an MSRP standpoint, it's quite impressive. But there is no way in hell I would've ever spent the money to get any one of the them new - who's got that kind of cash laying around? All of them cost me somewhere between 1/4 to 1/2 their original (new) asking price. The owners couldn't get rid of them and finally agreed to the a-hole who kept badgering them with a low-ball offer. (I do it in a nice way) And here's the best part - all of them were still relatively new despite their age. Even the '98 MJ had zero miles on it.

It's tough to work the deal on an Ebay auction. But it's real easy to contact the seller of an unsold bike or frame after the auction has ended and start a conversation.

Something to think about.

55/Rad

Well I traded my Giant for a slightly used '04 Specialized Sirrus for my wife. Both parties seem happy so I guess I got a good deal.

Wow that sure is low, also not the comment I ecpected to hear about the bike's condition. I sort of assume that anyone that is going to drop over a grand on a bike is going to take care of it.


That is rarely the truth. Alot of people that have nice cars that bring them in to be worked on are dirty and not kept up. You do have those people that spend alot of money on something and take it to a dealer for every possible tuneup, but there are alot of them that buy something expensive cuz they can and then just abuse it and throw it out, or just let it sit up.

I'd like to offer my recent auction as an example of how an eBay bike sale can be very positive:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7101325399

It was a win-win situation for buyer and seller. Here is a current year model (04), and the selling price was about $250 less than the most recently advertised sales price. It was a good deal all around - although I lost $500-550 in depreciation, I still retained about 70% of my initial investment to put toward a more appropriately sized bike -- and conversely, the guy got an unbeatable deal by letting me "pay" for the depreciation.

As for trusting the mileage/age, I have sales receipts to confirm when I bought the bike (5 months prior), and the mileage I reported is accurate (750 on the OD, estimated 100 additional miles), which although is not precisely provable, potential buyers could call me, talk to me, and rely on extrinsic evidence like the newness of the bike.

On eBay the key to a good transaction is communication and disclosure.

I'd like to offer my recent auction as an example of how an eBay bike sale can be very positive:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7101325399

It was a win-win situation for buyer and seller. Here is a current year model (04), and the selling price was about $250 less than the most recently advertised sales price. It was a good deal all around - although I lost $500-550 in depreciation, I still retained about 70% of my initial investment to put toward a more appropriately sized bike -- and conversely, the guy got an unbeatable deal by letting me "pay" for the depreciation.

As for trusting the mileage/age, I have sales receipts to confirm when I bought the bike (5 months prior), and the mileage I reported is accurate (750 on the OD, estimated 100 additional miles), which although is not precisely provable, potential buyers could call me, talk to me, and rely on extrinsic evidence like the newness of the bike.

On eBay the key to a good transaction is communication and disclosure.

Congrats on selling your bike. What did you replace it with?

Thanks,

An '05 Trek 2100 upgraded to an Ultegra double crankset (and of course I kept my Fizik Aliante). Not as glamorous as the Klein, but the components are same or better throughout (same wheels, Ultegra shifters, Ultegra rear der, etc.). And, of course, the bike actually fits me now, which is priceless.

I have modified the paint job to remove the seattube stickers and re-applied clearcoat by hand. Might find someone local to powdercoat or custom paint in near future.

nice trek towlie - thx for the pic.

BeeTL, no offense but 20% is a made-up number to make it sound like the difference between new and used is modest. this is not the case and it's not because of only modest savings that ppl shop carefully for good deals on used bikes.

i had a little rant on several threads a while ago about a NOS '03 gunnar from a power seller on eBay that finally sold for $810, while the same exact bike (NOS '03 gunnar with the 105) was marked _down to $1300 at the LBS. That's not 20% price difference for piece of mind, that's nearly a $600 difference for the same bike in the same size and the same condition.

seriously, i'm not trying to fight with anybody, but it's disingenuous when ppl use language like "just to save a couple of bucks" or something like that as if we weren't talking huge swings of money here... _especially in a thread called "Used Bike Values", which is something very near to my heart.

i don't accept the boogie-man talk that everybody on eBay is trying to rip you off or that there are a thousand common sense reasons why you shouldn't trust anybody. if somebody has a solid feedback rating and has never even gotten a negative feedback i think they can be trusted to accurately describe an item, respond to questions in good faith, and complete a transaction.

I was just ripped of from Ebay and the person had a solid feedback rating. The individual had over 30 positive feedback comments and still took my money

I was just ripped of from Ebay and the person had a solid feedback rating. The individual had over 30 positive feedback comments and still took my money

I posted elsewhere in this forum about recent eBay scams.

I am the most cynical guy around, and even I got duped by a crafty Nigerian. Cost me $200+ shipping for an $80 cellphone.

These latest scams commonly include:
- requests to use Western Union for payment,
- shipments to Nigeria and elsewhere overseas,
- "Hijacked" accounts

I have not learned how accounts are hijacked exactly, except that the scammers take someone with a solid feedback rating and use it for a scam. This may be what happened in your case (?)

About ebay...I know some people will sell a bunch of really cheap items. Say a hundred or so little trinkets for a few bucks a piece. They don't make any money on those, but they build a solid feedback rating. Then they list a big ticket item. Take the money, and are never heard from again.

Anytime I buy from ebay, I not only look at the feedback, but the items that they have been selling in the past. If it doesn't go along with the item I want to buy, it doesn't matter how good a deal it is, the risk (to me) outweighs the savings.

Well I traded my Giant for a slightly used '04 Specialized Sirrus for my wife. Both parties seem happy so I guess I got a good deal.

As bad as golf clubs, eh? Buy 'em...then just start throwing money out the window

I sold my Trek 1000C on ebay. Had a good transaction, got about 1/2 what I paid for it. I've watched bikes and written sellers questions. I have found when they put S,M,or L instead of correct size like 51C they are scams. He is a reply I received today after I wrote and asked for the size of a 5200WSD
"Hello,
Please let me know what frame size fits you. I have various sizes
available for sale . I can sell this bike for $1200 USD with shipping costs
included. All the bikes are brand new in box with all the warranty papers
for lifetime and be sure that it will be a promp delivery. We will close
this deal under eBay protection. Feel free to ask me any other questions.
I'll be waiting for your reply.
Thanks Daniel"
You have to be very Careful!!!!

As bad as golf clubs, eh? Buy 'em...then just start throwing money out the window

LOL No doubt. I bought a ZT Black Max 415 and hit it a dozen times at the range. Tried to sell it in the swap shop and couldn't get $75 shipped for a club in perfect condition. THe price of the head alone was more than $75 let alone the $60 shaft I stuck in it and the shipping.

Oh well I think this one worked out and the wife seems happy.

Now for my next bike. :D I am thinking of building but I am not sure what to build. Currently watching eBay for unbeatable deals but haven't found the right one yet. I did just pick up a free Park repair stand from my mother's current husband. So that is a pretty sweet deal.

LOL No doubt. I bought a ZT Black Max 415 and hit it a dozen times at the range. Tried to sell it in the swap shop and couldn't get $75 shipped for a club in perfect condition. THe price of the head alone was more than $75 let alone the $60 shaft I stuck in it and the shipping.

Oh well I think this one worked out and the wife seems happy.

Now for my next bike. :D I am thinking of building but I am not sure what to build. Currently watching eBay for unbeatable deals but haven't found the right one yet. I did just pick up a free Park repair stand from my mother's current husband. So that is a pretty sweet deal.

Don't worry, you aren't alone...I love my Orbea...and I can't help but think it needs another little Orbea to keep it company...lol

Don't worry, you aren't alone...I love my Orbea...and I can't help but think it needs another little Orbea to keep it company...lol
Careful - that's how I ended up with 3 Lemonds.

55/Rad

BeeTL, what size are you? i'll keep an eye out - running out of ppl to shop for locally!! +)

while it's true that eBay is too highly visible to catch the kinda deals that 55/Rad gets you ought to be able to find something if you're patient.

i feel you pain in general though because it's not a sunny landscape for folks shopping for a steel bike with <$1000 or so to spend.

i know two different ppl who got the Legacy Pro and while it's not a sexy ride they're both really happy with it. especially the girl who got hers from an eBay powerseller for $895 shipped! we thought my other friend got a fair deal from bikesdirect for $1100 and she bested him by $200 for the same bike!

About ebay...I know some people will sell a bunch of really cheap items. Say a hundred or so little trinkets for a few bucks a piece. They don't make any money on those, but they build a solid feedback rating. Then they list a big ticket item. Take the money, and are never heard from again.

Anytime I buy from ebay, I not only look at the feedback, but the items that they have been selling in the past. If it doesn't go along with the item I want to buy, it doesn't matter how good a deal it is, the risk (to me) outweighs the savings.

I dont think scammers can beat ebay's security policies they have in place.

I dont think scammers can beat ebay's security policies they have in place.

4 years ago, they weren't quite as stringent.