mastershake916

There's a Specialized Tri spoke carbon rear wheel for $50, is that a good price?
Thanks.

formula4

You gave so much information, I don't know where to start!

urbanknight

That's a steal. What's wrong with it? Cracked? Spaced for 7 speed? Painted McDonalds red and yellow?

mastershake916

Yep, it says that it's spaced for a 7 speed.
It's on craigslist with a "front Spinergy wheel in great condition" also for $50.

arsw1

maybe the carbon is painted on???

the beef

Fishy..

mastershake916

So if it's in good condition, it's a fantastic deal?

superdex

it.will.be.broked.

grebletie

Generally, be very suspicious and circumspect with carbons wheels that are used. You don't know the history of these wheels, and thus what sort of condition they might be in.

In any case, give them a look if you want. I know I wouldn't pay $50 for carbon wheels.

jccaclimber

First off, that's a scam because it's probably broken or way the hell out of true. They don't change but if one's made out of true and you hit the garbage at the right point you might find one. If you remotely consider this I'd put it on a stand to see if its true and round and then spend a couple hours inspocting it and looking for cracks.
If it says specialized it's ancient and I don't think Hed would do you much. On the other hand, depending on the cassette interface to the wheel they may be able to sell you a 9sp freebody for it (if it isn't a freewheel).

Treefox

For a 7-speed? Yeah, that's about right, I think. The cost, and more importantly, the effort, to bring it up to 9 would probably make it pointless.

There was a guy in my club who was trying to sell a 7-speed disk wheel for forever. It became sort of a running joke, as he would put 'please by my disk wheel' in every club e-mail he sent (which was most of them). We'd be doing a turbo session and he'd say, like, 'Ok guys, lets take it up to 120!' and someone in the back would say, 'and please buy my disk wheel guys! come on!' I think he ultimately sold it for like £30 (~60USD) on eBay.

But yeah, be careful about used carbon wheels. Who knows if they've been badly crashed.

Treefox

And I'll also toss in to say that the front wheel might actually be worth a look, as it's not so width dependent.

Can you go see them in person before buying?

mastershake916

Yes, but it's also kind of a long ways away so if I don't know, I wouldn't even go.

urbanknight

I can believe it. 7 speeds are hard to sell, especially since you can't really retrofit them for 8, 9, or 10 without changing the freehub and spacing (it will cost you a lot to do this). If you are running 7 speed, I would give them a look, but be VERY observant. First, look for ANY cracks in the carbon fiber anywhere, and if the wheel has been painted over ANYWHERE, pass on it. The paint could be hiding something.

teterider

I'd say $50 for such an old wheel is about right. I'd buy it just to hang on the wall since its a real piece of cycling history. Its likely vintage early 90's and they weigh about 2400 grams/pair.

VT to CA

Dude, I'd buy it and put blades on it, like that movie Krull. Then I'd grow a beard and feather my hair like the guy from the movie, and wing it at people who pissed me off...