JGSnCA

I'm looking for a new bike and have this particular one in my sights and this one is my size as well. Originally the bidding started at $1,000, but now at over $1,200 I'm not so sure since I'd need to add the wheelset. But more concerning is that upon closer inspection I'm finding this listing suspicious--the seller claims the bike has only been ridden 100 miles. If you mouse over the picture of the crank it appears to be chipped and likewise mousing over the seat and handlebars they don't look 100 miles new. Can anyone walk me off this window ledge before I jump?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/141041079662...84.m1438.l2649

seymour1910

looks like more than 100 miles on those chainrings to me

PhotoJoe 

If I'm going to spend that kind of money, ANY chance of untruth makes me pass.

diggy488

I'd almost guarantee it's been ridden well over 100 miles.

cderalow

its about what I would expect someone who doesn't take care of their stuff to look like. My wife's POS schwinn looks like that and it's got maybe 150 miles on it. Just general lack of care...

the brake pads are what would sell me on the mileage. they still look pretty new.

WhyFi

Of course it's too good to be true - there's still three days left on the clock; if you think that the price isn't going to jump between now and then, you're cracked.

As far as condition, I'd say that it looks pretty good, though I don't know how quickly/slowly the black wears off of the teeth on a 105 crankset.

dtrain

Between 150-500 miles. It'll go for quite a bit more than the current bid.

akeelor

This. And it doesn't take long for white handlebar tape to look dirty.

njkayaker

I have no idea why people bid (real money) on things days before the auction ends. It seems the only thing that does is cause the price to get higher.

rpenmanparker 

You wouldn't happen to be a sniper, would you? Ah ha, I thought so. Believe it or not, most people using ebay have never heard of sniping. Go figure. The absolutely only way to buy on a auction. What is the point of any other strategy.

PiLigand

Oh yeah. Everything goes in the watch list until the last few minutes. MAYBE hours in advance if I know I'm not going to be around to make the bid.

That bike is going to go up. I doubt it's only been ridden a hundred miles, probably closer to 200, but still not much. I don't get why the seller isn't including the wheels, though. I certainly wouldn't want those bontrager wheels on a CX bike, as much as I like them on the road.

mprelaw

100% positive feedback, but relatively few transactions.

Cyclelogikal

This may surprise you OP but some people treat their bikes, even nice ones like KRAP! I usually wash my bike after a few rides and clean and wax the frame a few times a year! But then again I have a OCD that haunts me and I want people to look at my stuff and be somewhat envious.

Also if they live in a nasty area with rain and just in general krappy roads that lends to making a bike look well used could be legit. As far as the crank arm.........poor bastad leaned it against something religiously or it sustained damage from some other act. It happens!

But like one poster stated.............that thing will climb in the final hours! Plus even if it did not the lister would have friends hop the bid up to get it higher.

mprelaw

Well, not everyone uses shills to bid up the selling price. But the action almost always heats up in the final hours of a listing.

DaveWC

I'd be concerned that it was stolen, possibly the wheels were the only thing chained with locks. This vendor sold a "2012 Trek Madone 62 cm Sram Force Excellent Condition 500 Miles" in Jul/12, a "2011 TREK 7.6 Hybrid 25 Inch Frame Excellent Condition" in October/11 and a "2011 Gary Fisher 29er X Caliber 17.5 Frame" in Sep/11. Doesn't necessarily mean anything, but something to be aware of.

JGSnCA

I'm now safely off the window ledge and back to safety. I'm going to pass on this listing as I think I can get a new '13 Domane 4.5 at around $2,500 new with end of year deals. Thanks everyone for the sage advice.

Homebrew01

Correct. Some people look at a low bid with plenty of time left and somehow think the final price might be somewhere near that. Only the last 5 minutes are relevant.

StephenH

Cars have odometers that are somewhat difficult to reset. Bikes don't. So I would say on ANY bike, don't depend on the "how many miles" statement the seller gives you. They may be honest or maybe not, but try to go off bike condition, not a promise from a stranger.

Leukybear 

I've seen a bike rocket from sub 1k to 4.5k+ in the matter of 8 seconds.

rpenmanparker 

If you ever want to bid on something like this, here is how it is done. First, forget about how much will the bike go for or what will it take to win the auction. That is irrelevant, and is the whole basis for people getting screwed in auction sales. All that is important is what is it worth to you. What is the top you are willing to pay for the item. Forget about everybody else. Then either be prepared to place a bid with 6 seconds left in the auction period OR join a sniping site like esnipe.com. They will place your one maximum bid for you with 6 seconds left if you can't do it yourself. ONE MAXIMUM BID. Do not show yourself at any time prior to the last 6 seconds except as a watcher. If what you are willing to pay is more than anyone else is willing to pay, you will win the item for no more than that amount. Quite often for a lot less. See you don't have to worry about whether the current price is a good deal or too good to be true. You are not paying attention to the current price. The only price that is of interest to you is the price that you are willing to pay. Learning this makes all the difference in the world.

njkayaker

Okaay. It's a $3000+ bicycle (not a "POS schwinn").

Unlikely that the owner would have just locked both wheels and not the frame.

This seems a bit odd. Given that the seller said "I am just not a road bike person like cycle cross more", he seems to have a lot of money but no ability to come to a decision.

njkayaker

Good advice.

Also...

Do some research before hand to figure out what a reasonable price for what you want is. And include the shipping costs. For lower priced items, the shipping costs can make a good deal into a bad deal.

kv501

I use a sniping site and haven't personally placed a bid on anything in probably 10 years. People who don't snipe don't like their money very well.

Swo0p

Why do you need a website to do that for you?

Keep looking on ebay. I bought two bikes from there at unreal deals

WhyFi

I haven't used a sniping site in ages, but it's convenient in that you can set your bid and then not worry about being at the computer when the auction is winding down.