Touring - Is this a good buy? - Gunnar Crosshairs

I had pretty much decided on a Salsa Vaya 3 for light touring and commuting until I came across a Gunnar Crosshairs on auction. I like the Vaya frame, but it seems like the Gunnar has some really nice components. The frame is older, but looks to be in very good shape.

Tough call for me and I don't have enough knowledge to decide between the two.

Gunnar description:

Very Nice Gunnar Crosshairs 853 Reynolds 56cm cycloscross frameset extreme build. These are amazing bikes, the frame geometry is such that it may be the most versatile bike ever made. Great on fast road rides, comfortable for commuting, or put cross tires on it and race it off road. Fender and rack eyes on the fork and the rear.
Most of the parts on this bike are new or very near new. Ultegra triple front and rear derailleurs, Ultegra 6703 controls, Ultegra 11-28 10speed cassette, Bontrager Race Lite Triple Crankset, TRP short arm Brakes (these have awesome stopping power and the ratio is perfect with the 6703 controls), Dura Ace 7800 32 hole hubs built with Mavic Open Pro rims and double butted spokes, Grand Bois Cerf 700 x 28c tires, Ritchey stem and 3T Ergosum Pro bars, Cane Creek headset, Dura Ace 7410 seatpost and Vintage Selle Italia Flite Titanium saddle. No bottle cages or pedals are included

Merry Christmas!

M

Gunnar is made by Waterford. And 4130 steel vs. Reynolds 853? This is no-brainer. How much for the Gunnar?

Gunnar is made by Waterford. And 4130 steel vs. Reynolds 853? This is no-brainer. How much for the Gunnar?

Not sure. It's an auction. My Vaya budget is 1200.

The gunnar is a nice frame. IMO it is much nicer than a Salsa Vaya. good luck bidding.

The gunnar is a nice frame. IMO it is much nicer than a Salsa Vaya. good luck bidding.

Are they equally capable as an all around, light touring bike?

I had a Gunnar Crosshairs, and it was a fairly light cross bike--I'd guess the tubing was less stout than my current Cross Check, and the Vaya--made for touring--is probably a bit stouter than that. I toured a bit on my Gunnar, and it was workable, but it wasn't the best tool for the job.

If you can get the serial number, you can determine the bike's age:

A Gunnar serial number not only uniquely identifies a Gunnar, it also tells you the date of manufacture. Each serial number consists of three components:

Letter indicating the month: The serial number starts with a letter indicating the month of manufacture, with A for January, B for February and so on. Gunnar skips I, which can be confused with a 1, so September becoms J, October K and December M.
2-digit year code: The next two digits are the year - 08 is for 2008, for example.
3-digit sequence number: This number is assigned as the serial numbers are allocated, which is the first step in fabrication.


From:
http://gunnarbikes.com/site/support/faqs/

From the picture, the stickers are the original style stickers. My guess is this frame is a '99~'03 or so.

Can you post a link to the auction?

We have 5 Gunnars in the house. My Sport, and the bf has 2 Roadies and 2 Rockhounds. Nice bikes that are usually pretty reasonably priced second hand. All the frames here but 1 of the Roadies here were ebay buys.

They ride very nicely but the paint flakes easily and they can also dent easily due to the thin wall tubing.

I just got a Vaya Ti but I haven't ridden it enough to comment on it.

Can you post a link to the auction?

We have 5 Gunnars in the house. My Sport, and the bf has 2 Roadies and 2 Rockhounds. Nice bikes that are usually pretty reasonably priced second hand. All the frames here but 1 of the Roadies here were ebay buys.

They ride very nicely but the paint flakes easily and they can also dent easily due to the thin wall tubing.

I just got a Vaya Ti but I haven't ridden it enough to comment on it.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/251202816568?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Oh, how I wish I had a Gunnar... I nearly bought a frame from them instead of the Surly I now have. If you're only planning on doing light touring with it, I don't see why it wouldn't work for that. Heck, one of the photos on their website for this bike has it loaded down a bit - http://www.flickr.com/photos/gunnarcycles/4184757635/

Auction ended , shipping from TX to TW would be pricy, win?, cost total?

I saw this Crosshairs auction. (I watch Gunnars on ebay). I noticed that the auction ended with many bids but reserve not met. http://www.ebay.com/itm/251202816568?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Now the same bike is relisted now with a BIN/BO of a much higher price. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=251204327945&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:US:1123

Head badge style and 853 label might mean the frame is 2005 or older.

I think seller is dreaming. Seemed to reach a pretty good price last time around.

I think seller is dreaming. Seemed to reach a pretty good price last time around.

That's what I was thinking...

I've seen some Gunnars go for amazingly low prices on ebay, including some frames I bought. They are not that well known and not as many people like steel so resale value is not great.

Keep watching for other Crosshairs on ebay OP. Something will come up again.

Auction ended , shipping from TX to TW would be pricy, win?, cost total?

I've found room in some freight containers, so not too bad. Being able to buy in the States has opened up a whole new world of options.


That's what I was thinking...

I've seen some Gunnars go for amazingly low prices on ebay, including some frames I bought. They are not that well known and not as many people like steel so resale value is not great.

Keep watching for other Crosshairs on ebay OP. Something will come up again.

I was the highest bidder last time around. 1550 is too rich for me. I was hoping to at least get a second chance offer. Thanks for the feedback everyone!

-M

Yes, you bid a fair price last time. I expect it will be re-listed, be patient. Seller may need time to adjust to the reality of used bike prices....