Commuting - What do you think of this bike for approx 10 mile daily commute?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160475853980&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

what's a decent price?

I would think you could do it. I also think a tri bike is a bit silly for commuting and you could find something much more practical and comfortable. Btu again, it's biking so have at it and enjoy. The price seems right too.

Looks like a cool bike but I don't know if it's terribly practical for commuting. No idea what it's worth though.

Personally I think a 'cross bike makes an excellent commuter. It has the fittings for rack and fenders, which I regard as essential - it rains a lot here, and commuters typically need to carry stuff. And it has the advantage of being versatile and fun enough to use for various purposes at weekends - cyclocross, off-road and light touring as well as ordinary road use. Difficult for me to comment on the price, because prices here tend to be higher than the US. However, I could buy the 2010 specialized tricross comp (lower spec, 105 instead of ultegra) new here for the equivalent of about $1600. The 2009 expert retailed for about $2200. If the description is accurate, though, the components on this bike are good and if it really only has 700 miles on it (I'd be sceptical about that, btw - sellers sounds like a keen cyclist and if he's used it as a winter trainer that's a low figure) then I'd say anything under $1000 was a good deal.

I'm not a big fan of buying bikes off of Ebay. You don't get to ride them first and shipping is going to add significantly to the cost. Does the guy know how to pack a bike so it won't be damaged? Do the "professional" packers know how?

Anyway, I think it would be a great bike for a 10 mile commute though you certainly don't need Ultegra components for that.

Ebay is a pig in a poke, Given the work needed when you get it, will not be volunteered..

You can stick aero bars on most any handlebar..

Zipper fairings, I found, help make the ride Quite a bit more comfortable ,
as cold wet air is not going thru your clothing ..

Behind the fairing, I didn't need to do the low tuck, that time trialists have to do.

so Its much more comfortable to have the bars high and close rather
than Low and far away.

its gonna hit 800-900 dollar range

You'd want to swap out the tires if your commute is on pavement - factor that in.

I'd ride it for that commute if someone gave it to me. Might have a bit of trouble getting a rack on it, but if you don't mind wearing a bag, you'd be good to go.

Looks like a very cool bike, but I'm sort of with tjspiel on this one. It can be very difficult to verify the claims of the owner. I'd hate to let go of a grand or so, and end up with something that's been abused.

any bike can be used as a commuter. but my question is where will you be locking it up? that bike will be very tempting to thieves.

expensive commuting bike, but people commute in cadillacs and lincolns. Go for it if theft at work is not a concern.

sounds like you've got lots of time to contact the seller for more pictures if you want better detail of the bike's condition. Just don't go bidding now and driving the price up. Wait with all the other snipers and then go with with the most you want to spend right at the end.

I've read that cyclocross bikes make some of the best commuters so I'm actually surprised to see some people questioning the appropriateness of using a cross bike. I have a bike locker and a kryptonite New York lock so I'm not worried about thieves.

I've read that cyclocross bikes make some of the best commuters so I'm actually surprised to see some people questioning the appropriateness of using a cross bike.

Those are probably the people that feel like a commuter bike 'needs' to have a rack and panniers with an upright riding position, and don't care about riding fast because "commuting's not a race".

It looks like a nice bike


"what's a decent price?" Whatever you are willing to spend.

+1 on all the reservations about buying without a chance to ride, shipping, etc. But after a couple of months of eBay surfing while buying my road bike (which I eventually bought used locally), I have concluded that a lot of people are far less worried about those things than I am.

Nice bike there. Ultegra components are overkill, of course, but I do have them on my road bike. I would be extremely hesitant to leave a bike that blingy outside on a regular basis.

Somebody out there is going to be willing to fork out $1k + shipping or I miss my guess. If I were bidding, my max bid would be a couple hundred dollars lower.

I shopped that bike last winter at my local Specialized dealer. It's a good bike but too small for me... (all Specialized bikes are too small for me at 61cm max.) The bike was going for $2100 on the showroom. It didn't have eyelets for fenders or a rack, but I found it interesting that they were displaying it in the showroom window with a Topeak RX BeamRack with side frame and panniers on it.

You can make anything work for your commute, but I would think a bike of this quality would pull you in deeper with weekend rides if you change the tires out to slicks, or cyclocross racing if you leave the stock tires on.

Either way, I think the final price will end up close to a grand easy.

Personally I think a 'cross bike makes an excellent commuter. It has the fittings for rack and fenders, which I regard as essential - it rains a lot here, and commuters typically need to carry stuff. And it has the advantage of being versatile and fun enough to use for various purposes at weekends - cyclocross, off-road and light touring as well as ordinary road use. Difficult for me to comment on the price, because prices here tend to be higher than the US. However, I could buy the 2010 specialized tricross comp (lower spec, 105 instead of ultegra) new here for the equivalent of about $1600. The 2009 expert retailed for about $2200. If the description is accurate, though, the components on this bike are good and if it really only has 700 miles on it (I'd be sceptical about that, btw - sellers sounds like a keen cyclist and if he's used it as a winter trainer that's a low figure) then I'd say anything under $1000 was a good deal.

While cross bikes can be commuters, that one isn't one of them. It has no eyelets or fender mounts. Strictly a racing machine. That bolt down at the dropout isn't a rack or fender mount. Its the bolt that holds the carbon fiber subframe on. Don't take it out!

+1 on what everyone is saying about buying a bike off Fleabay. If you have to ask the question, bulev, you probably shouldn't consider buying the bike. Get thee to a bike shop!

Those are probably the people that feel like a commuter bike 'needs' to have a rack and panniers with an upright riding position, and don't care about riding fast because "commuting's not a race".

Or they're people who've mistaken a Tricross for a tri (triathlon) bike, rather than a 'cross (cyclocross) bike. Kind of a silly name for Specialized to give a bike, when you come down to it.

I commute on a cross bike - I think it is a good choice (albeit I am on trails 60-80% of my commute). I don't use fenders though I have a shower at work I use. If you can live with that and it looks like a good deal if in good shape - go for it!
Gene