Originally Posted by
rms13
That's true and people that spend $5-10k on a bike tend to keep them until the disintegrate (the bike or the person). Used bike markets also vary greatly around the country. Not sure where you are but you did good on the bike you bought and sold but you bought it used after it already had taken the brunt of depreciation. From my experience in socal, people buying used carbon bike that retailed for $2-4k want a bargain and those that aren't looking for a bargain are buying new. Carbon especially depreciates fast because most people have fears of hidden issues that may cause assplosions down the road. Not to mention that the real value of a carbon frame is not nearly as much as steel, aluminum or ti based on material cost.
Yeah there's very little I'd buy used, but if you post online there's usually someone who will buy what you have.
I'll admit that I may have gotten lucky, but I've had outcomes like that at least a half dozen times. Bought a different $1,300 Trek, replaced a few wear items (chain, brake pads, rotors, rebuilt the rear shock--10 minute job and $13 in parts, etc) and sold it for $2,200.
Another sale, a Specialized mountain bike... 2012 Stumpjumper, sold for $3k, a few weeks ago when the 2016 models were announced. 4 model years old and I sold it for 2/3 it's original RETAIL price (not what I paid, I paid $3750, retail $4,500). In 4 model years, I lost a whopping 20% of what I paid.