Mountain Biking - Good deal for a Trek Fuel 98?

Thanks for the reply. However, I think I found a smoking deal on a Trek Fuel 98 for $1800 USD shipped off ebay. This bike is going to be brand new. Do you think there is any room to bargain a little on the price? I know this is already a smoking deal.

Basically, Here is the email the seller sent me:



Hello,
Please let me know what frame size (center to center measurement) fits
you.
I'm handling the liquidation of a small store stock and that is why I
have
various sizes available for sale but as business didn't go so well
lately I
have to sell cheep and fast to pay my supplier. I can sell this bike
for
$1800 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.


Ming

Specs for the Trek:

FRAMESET:
FRAME: OCLV 120 Carbon/OCLV Carbon stays
FORK: RockShox SID Team
REAR SHOCK: Fox Float RL w/Pro Pedal

WHEELS:
WHEELS: Bontrager Race Lite, tubeless compatible
TIRES: Bontrager Super X tubeless, 26x2.1", 49/48

DRIVETRAIN:
SHIFTERS: Shimano Deore XT
FRONT DERAILLEUR: Shimano Deore XT
REAR DERAILLEUR: Shimano Deore XT
CRANKSET: Shimano Deore XT 44/32/22
CASSETTE: Shimano Deore XT 11-34, 9 speed
PEDALS: Shimano 520, clipless

COMPONENTS:
SADDLE: Bontrager FS 2000
SEATPOST: Bontrager Race X Lite
HANDLEBARS: Bontrager Race Lite, 31.8
STEM: Bontrager Race X Lite, 31.8, 7 degree
HEADSET: Alloy Aheadset, semi-cartridge, sealed
BRAKESET: Avid Single Digit 5 w/Shimano Deore XT levers

DISC OPTION:
BRAKESET: Shimano Deore XT Disc w/Deore XT levers
WHEELS: Bontrager Race Lite Disc, tubeless compatible

http://www.trekbikes.com/images/bikes/2004/mountain/large/fuel98.jpg

That's pretty much cost or less than cost. I doubt you have any "wiggle" room, but if you don't ask, you'll never know!

L8R

Be sure its not a scam... it sure sounds like one. The price is too low. How much feedback does the seller have? Bike scams on eBay are beyond rampant unfortunately... just BE CAREFUL and if he starts making any odd demands drop the deal immediately.

It sounds really odd to me that any store would have that many $3000 Fuels in stock, especially a "small store that isn't doing too well" as he put it. 99% of small shops won't get in anything above $1500 just becuase its too much of a risk if it doesn't sell, much less have "various sizes".

Don't do it, don't sell your soul to the evil T. Look at what specialized has to offer.

Be sure its not a scam... it sure sounds like one. The price is too low. How much feedback does the seller have? Bike scams on eBay are beyond rampant unfortunately... just BE CAREFUL and if he starts making any odd demands drop the deal immediately.

It sounds really odd to me that any store would have that many $3000 Fuels in stock, especially a "small store that isn't doing too well" as he put it. 99% of small shops won't get in anything above $1500 just becuase its too much of a risk if it doesn't sell, much less have "various sizes".


I am still a little concerned about the bike myself because it does sound to be too good to be true. I am asking for some pictures of the bike. Also, the seller only has 360 feedback. However, all the feedback is positive. His signin is scotvales. I may not persue this deal because

1) I really do not like the reliability of the SID team fork. Many people seem to have blown the seals of that fork. At 190 pounds, I am very worried about blowing it.
2) I dont really know how much I trust the carbon fiber frame.

I asked the seller the swap the fork to a FOX, dont know if i want the Vanilla or the F series yet.

I hope this is not a scam, but I am on high alert for such a possiblity.

Thanks

Ming

PS. The person canceled the auction the first time through because the bike was only going for about 800 - 1000 ish an hour before the auction ended. If he was a scammer, would he have done that?

I can understand him canceling the auction because he would be losing too much money if he hadn't done so.

Don't do it, don't sell your soul to the evil T. Look at what specialized has to offer.

I personally do not like Trek all that much. If this deal falls through, I'll most likely end up with a Kona Kula :D

You can't go wrong with the Kula.

You can't go wrong with the Kula.
Agreed!!! :)

If he has 360 positive feedbacks you're probably ok. I understand its pretty hard to rig feedback. Scroll through the feedback and check to see if he has offered any bikes previously.

If he has 360 positive feedbacks you're probably ok. I understand its pretty hard to rig feedback. Scroll through the feedback and check to see if he has offered any bikes previously.

No bikes, but apparently he sold a lot of small things like tapes and whatnot. Also, he included an extra item w/ for free during one of his auctions.

He actually has over 580 positive feedbacks, just 370 was as a seller.

I hope this goes through all right, but I dont like that fork :mad:

Cheers

Ming

Tons of small items w/ no prior bike sales is a trademark of scammers FYI