kemmer

There's a guy in my neighborhood who is willing to sell me a CF Leader frame and an older diamondback (enough parts for a complete bike) for $125. The components are just Shimano 105, but I figure I can upgrade stuff later as I feel the need. This would be my first and only (for a while anyway) road bike. Will the CF hold up to the abuse of a novice rider? Will it survive a crash if I make some mistakes early on? It kind of seems like a CF bike is sort of overkill for someone like me, but I've been looking for a used bike that fits me for quite some time with no luck. Opinions?

caloso

The most important thing about a frame, no matter what it's made of, is whether it fits you. If it doesn't, don't buy it.

nocondorfx

its 125 bucks...

alanbikehouston

You are getting a carbon frame, a carbon fork, and all the components for just $125? Who cares if it is the right bike or fits you? You certainly will have no problems selling it for more than $125 if things don't work out.

Surferbruce

for 125$ i can't see how you could go wrong, assuming the frame fits you ok. carbon fiber is just a building material and doesn't mean a frame is good or bad just because it is or isn't cf. if it fits ride it till it breaks (any bike material can fail in a crash) and have fun.
shimano 105 components are great stuff and not something you're gonna find on a 125$ bike.
get the stuff and a repair book and with the help of you lbs try building it up yourself. you'll learn tons and be able to fix most problems yourself in the future.

Mouton

A CF bike with 105? For $125? I think that fatal structural crash might come included!

pl8ster

That seems pretty cheap for a CF frame...did he steal it?

kemmer

No, I highly doubt he stole it. He has a half dozen or so really nice bikes and he repairs and build bikes out of his garage. He's got to many projects at the moment and he's in the middle of trying to buy a business. He's a cool guy, I bought a Jamis Eureka frame and a box full nice of parts (almost a complete bike) from him for $100 a few months ago. I guess I'll go ahead and do it, sounds like I can't go wrong. Is there anyway to be sure that a used CF frame is structurally sound?

Oh yeah, the bike is a little tall for me but I have a 1/4" to 1/2" of room. Reach shouldn't be a problem, I have a pretty long torso for my height.

Little Darwin

I was only going to say that a CF frame is overkill for a beginner unless the beginner had enough disposable income to make it a relatively insignificant amount... Just because you may not like road biking.

For that price, I agree with many that preceded me... BUY IT!

Do find out the history (i.e. crashes etc) and source (i.e. stolen), but otherwise, no issues.

JayC

Send it to me and Ill stress test it for a year or two for you.

slowandsteady

Heck, for $125 you can buy a 20 year old schwinn. Buy, fit or no fit. If it fits great. If not sell that sucker. It's a win win. And there is nothing wrong with 105. 105 is very good.

merlinextraligh

Leader is not exactly a high end frame, and even though its made of CF, it probably wasn't tremendously expensive to start. The reports on Leader's relaiblity have been mixed. However, for $125 I can't really see how you go wrong.

Mr. Clean

I say go for it if the frame will fit you. It's only $125.

As far as what to do with it if you don't get a good fit, I can think of two scenarios.

(1)
This guy is cutting you a huge deal just to get the parts out of his garage. If that's the case, sell that thing for as much as you can get if it doesn't fit.

(2)
Or, this guy is being very nice and giving you an affordable entry into road riding. He's taking a huge loss on the parts and frame, but you're friends and he thinks you're worth it. If this is the case, turning the bike around and selling it would be taking advantage of him, and I don't think you should do it. Ask him if he would like to buy it back, or pass it on to somebody else for something close to what you paid for it. If you do sell the bike, at least tell him why.

Just my $.02

slowandsteady

Excellent point!

kemmer

He already told me if it didn't work out I could always throw it on ebay, but yeah, I think it would be a good gesture to give it back to him if he wants it. I think I'll have to do that, especially considering that fact that the business he is buying is a bike shop!

oilman_15106

Hope the seller runs his new bike shop better than his current second hand bike sales biz!

kemmer

I bought it! I also picked up a Miyata the same night. Now I just need to get them both set up and ready to ride! Anyone know where I can get some cheap 7 speed brake/shift levers?

hi565

thats my thought

hi565

that would be my second thought!

SDRider

The Leader is CF? Those look like welds where the tubes meet up. You sure that's carbon fiber?

tinrobot

That Leader looks like an aluminum bike with a carbon fork. Still, not bad for $125.

marcpotash

It doesn't look like CF to me, except in the paint job looks like fake carbon.

khuon

Leader doesn't make full carbon frames. They do make an aluminum frame with a CF rear triangle (seatstays and chainstays). Likely that Leader frame only has a faux CF paintjob. It looks like from the welds that it's an aluminum bike.

blickblocks

That's a hell of a deal!

spiderbike

for 125 dollars it doesn't matter what the bike is made out of that is a good deal...if you were purchasing from a store for the first time I wouldn't reccommend it as you wont notice the difference unless your putting in tons of miles....

enjoy, at the price if you get interested in a new bike that might fit better in the future you wont feel bad for upgrading and will probably be able to sell that bike for 125 again.