Let's hear your ideas...and stories....

I sold an Ironman Carbon to a guy who had a high-end tri bike. He wanted a road bike.
I should have known up front that the IM Carbon is a little noodly, and warned him.

(However, I was still remembering the people who have modern carbon and aluminum who came to me for a "rain bike," and ended up not only buying an Ironman, but drinking the Kool-Aid, so to speak. The bikes sell themselves.)

Back to the IM Carbon. Didn't sell itself. We met, exchanged the IM Carbon for cash and a ratty IM Expert (Miami Vice). I drive home (2 hours). He drives home (2 hours). Time and money were certainly invested.

His first email "I'm sorry, I hate it." He listed what he thought was wrong with it.
Nothing I did, he just didn't like it, admitted the bike was a beauty.

Lesson #1- A person who rides a BB30 bb bike is probably going to find a 1988 28.6mm carbon tubed bike a little "wobbly."

The last thing I want is someone to hate their bike, so I offered to swap back, we each pay shipping.
He agreed. The Miami Vice Expert was lacking some OEM parts, and completely lacking a rear wheel.

So....I can't stand for someone to not have the opportunity to "know the Ironman...."
you see where this is heading.

Got the IM Carbon back, no worse for the wear.

Now, I could "focus" on sending back his Miami Vice:
Wheelset added (from cehowardGS), 105 with Araya CTL-370 rims, 6-sp cassette. check.
OEM brake levers added. check.
Tires mounted on the rims (Conti Ultra Sports). check.
Thorough cleaning of frame. check.
Bars/stem OK. check.
Matching yellow housings. check.
Matching yellow saddle. check.
Clean/inspect/lube FD/RD/shifters, crankset. check.
Toss in a yellow cage. check.
Toss in some aerobars we spoke about. check.
Toss in a yellow Specialized cyclo. check.
Make sure the "bike in a box" is going to go together and exceed his expectations. check.

One C&V convert......coming up! We'll see how it goes.

Never pass up an opportunity. It will always come back to you.

And, for folks in the know, I've heard from Amani576. He's doing fine.
He's engaged, employed, and still the earnest, thoughtful young man we know.