Is it a good bike for the price?
 

rek 2120 Carbon Road Bike -$385
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/bik/2857548963.html

thanks

I would never ever under any circumstances buy a used carbon fiber bike from a complete stranger!

I would absolutely NOT have a problem purchasing a brand new carbon fiber bicycle from a reputable dealer.

* I see three problems with buying used carbon fiber frames from strangers:

1) Original owner may have subjected the frame to a high impact force, abuse, scratch, gouge, accident, or simply dropped the bike (possibly even heard a strange cracking sound as a result). Thus the integrity of the frame may be in doubt.

2) Original owner may have had bicycle cosmetically repaired in order to cover up damage. Though, places like Calfee Design can repair most carbon fiber frames quite competently.

3) Hi-tech methods such as ultrasonic testing have been used in the past in order to detect frame damage. It cannot be absolutely guaranteed that any method can be 100% accurate in a positive assessment.

DITTO!!!! Just way to much to go wrong with carbon........

So two guys with poems extolling steel in their signatures say "no"

Steel frames & Al frames break too, heck, Ti isn't perfect either.

As for the bike in that ad, I'd probably steer clear. It's really old and carbon has come a long way since the days of tubes being stuck into lugs. If you really want an inexpensive bike, find a well loved steel bike. :)

The CL seller has books about calculus (2), psychology, statistics, and day trading on his bookshelves. Can he be trusted?

It's a "rek". It's $385, not $4k. But it looks well ridden and has new tires. I would be worried about what condition it's in. The chain looks a little aged. I don't know if the cassette looks worn or not. The bar tape looks like it could use replacing. If you want a beater bike to ride around that won't get stolen, this might be a decent choice. sfbay CL prices are often not the cheapest.

Unless someone can provide some evidence that the carbon frame would pose a serious risk to the new owner, stop with the hate on used carbon.

I recommend you ask your question on the vintage forum since this bike seems to be from 1998 or so.

I probably wouldn't buy that, but I also wouldn't listen to ANYTHING those negative nellies have to say.

If you know someone that knows what to look for on a carbon frame, take him with you. If he/she says yes, and it fits, then yes.

Otherwise, too risky.

thanks for the advice! I never thought that carbon bike can be so troublesome.

chisengseng, some people are awfully paranoid about carbon components. While there's basis to this, it's stated a bit overzealously sometimes. With that said, if you see pretty much any structural damage to a load-bearing carbon component it should be replaced/avoided. I personally think that's a cool looking bike with sensible components. Here's a webpage with the original specifications, note that lots of things on the Craiglist bike are not stock (like the barend shifters). Do you know anything about bike fit? I pretty much wouldn't pay any significant amount of money for a bike that wasn't roughly the right frame size for me, and the Craigslist poster doesn't have any information on frame size.

Also, you should be aware that bicycle is spaced for 7 speed cassetes and can never be upgraded to 8 or more speed cassetes. This can make replacements (for example wheels) slightly more difficult to find.

Price seems more or less in a sensible range, maybe a little high, even if everything is in good shape.

You can alway offer less than the asking price. I bought a huge fish tank for $290. Original asking price was $320, I offered $250, counter offer of $290 and it was a done deal.

I was wondering if anyone could help me with a similar dilemma. There's someone with a Cannondale Synapse 3 carbon on craigslist. http://www.cannondale.com/2012/bikes...rbon-3-ultegra . He wants $1,750. It's got some dura ace stuff on it and he claims that he takes it into the shop whenever he hears a squeak of any kind.

You have NO Warranty with it.

That's true. I think it would be good for the right price, but I guess that's understood.

Carbon tubes bonded to aluminum lugs?

Pass... that's not even taking into consideration it's age.