jakeism

Been looking at craigslist the past three months for a decent road bike. Only really in my area. I'm a college student who is looking for a new hobby. My buddies tell me this is a pretty decent deal but I always like to hear second opinions. But Monday im going to go pick this bike up unless I get talked out of it.
1997 TREK 2300, FULL CARBON FRAME, COMPACT CRANK, EXCELLENT CONDITION. COMPACT CRANK WAS PUT ON IN 2007, MAJOR TUNEUP 2008. MENS SIZE 56-58


I called the guy. Everything is stock and he is retiring so he bought a new bike that is a old man's bike.

Any opinions help. I've been looking for a few months now and am getting to the point where I just want a damn bike.

He is also damn firm on 500.

55/Rad

Frame looks older than '97 - was Trek still doing alu lugged carbon then?

What wheels and group are on there?

55/Rad

bbattle

Google throws up this:
https://www.bike-alog.com/BikePedia/Q...2300&Type=bike




icycle Type Road race & triathlon
Sugg Retail $1,499.99
Weight 21.3
Sizes 47 cm, 50 cm, 52 cm, 54 cm, 56 cm, 58 cm, 60 cm, 62 cm
Colors Saturn silver/natural carbon

Frame & Fork
Frame Construction Bonded
Frame Tubing Material Carbon fiber composite main traingle/ Easton rear stays
Fork Brand & Model System 2
Fork Material Aluminum, bonded, aero crown
Rear Shock Not applicable

Components
Component Group Shimano 600 Ultegra
Brakeset Shimano 600 Ultegra Dual Pivot brakes, Shimano 600 Ultegra levers
Shift Levers Shimano 600 Ultegra STI Dual Control
Front Derailleur Shimano 600 Ultegra, bottom-pull/clamp-on 35.0 mm
Rear Derailleur Shimano 600 Ultegra
Crankset Shimano 600 Ultegra, 39/53 teeth
Pedals Shimano PD-6500 600 Ultegra SPD clipless
Bottom Bracket 115 mm spindle
BB Shell Width 68mm English
Rear Cogs 8-speed, 12 - 23 teeth
Chain Shimano CN-HG90, 1/2 x 3/32"
Seatpost System 2, 27.2 mm diameter
Saddle Selle San Marco Tecno Dynamica
Handlebar System 2
Handlebar Extensions Not applicable
Handlebar Stem System 2
Headset 1" Tange-Seiki CDS

Wheels
Hubs Shimano 600 Ultegra
Rims Matrix Aurora, 32-hole
Tires 700 x 23c Continental Grand Prix kevlar
Spoke Brand DT Competition stainless steel, 2.0mm double butted
Spoke Nipples Brass nipples

jakeism

He said he just spent 190 dollars on a full tune up. But who knows what was done. He doesn't know a whole lot about the bike, he just said he gives it to the bike shop and they handle everything. He just pays the bill. Thank you for the replies so far. Very helpful.

HillMut

I don't think that is worth $500, but finding a used bike can be tough and since you've been looking for a few months you have to consider that also.
For reference I searched craigslist for trek2300 and found a 03' w/ less than 1500 miles claimed on it - $600.

Youngin

I'd get a 2007 trek 1500 if you like the trek geometry.

jakeism

I really don't care about the geometry since I don't know anything about bikes. Other then this one doesn't slop which I am unsure about. I just need to know if I should buy a new one. They have some last year models at a local bike shop that are Felts which I think I could talk him down to 500 bucks. Is the full carbon versus aluminum that big of a difference. Also understand this is my first bike period. But I don't know which brand is better is better or worth more etc. Any links to a newbs guide would help too =)

monk

The tubes look awfully small for carbon. Frankly, because carbon technology was not really up to speed back in the late 90s I'd do more research before I bought it.

Nachoman

Also you say it is men's size 56-58. Maybe you should measure it, if you care, to see if it is a 56 or a 58, or something entirely different.

jakeism

The issue is that he lives an hour and a half away from me.

cycle17

I'll toss in my two cents....I'd suggest buying a new/newer bike for several reasons:

1. Although the bike looks in good condition...it is over ten years old. Parts for that groupset will be increasingly harder to find.
2. The carbon with aluminum lugs was the beginning of Trek's carbon venture and what do you do if you have a problem with the frame a few months down the road?
3. It's 8 speed...at the very least on a new bike you'll likely get 9spd, maybe even 10 speed in some cases depending on the price. If this is your first bike...you won't likely get much of your money back when you go to sell it.
4. I really don't think this bike is worth $500 I think you'd be better off with a new bike with a full frame warranty and some free adjustments/tuneups from the local bike shop.

I'm in the camp that thinks you should buy a new bike and let him try and get $500 out of some other potential buyer.

jrn

+1 Good points

jakeism

That camp is filling fast. Is a local bike shop the best way to go, or are there any online retailers that are honest sites. I'll give him a call tomorrow and tell him no more then 300 like I originally said.

Old School

If the current owner just dropped $190 for a "tune up" he probably wants to get his money back. $500 is too much for this bike -- you can buy newer and do better. By this way, this is not a "full carbon" frame -- just the front triangle. Keep looking!

Youngin

agree.

jet sanchEz

$500 plus an hour an a half drive for a bike that is pretty mediocre and may not even work out for you? Pass on this, there are better deals to be had out there.

operator

No. You don't want that even for $300.

cycle17

+1

jakeism

Lol thanks guy, I got the point. I sent him an email saying sorry, but the bike isn't for me. If my LBS gives me a good deal on a clearance bike, is it bad to ask for free tune ups for x amount of miles or what his warranties are? If anyone could give me some dos and don'ts when buying a new bike. I'll be getting a last years model too due to a budget of around 500-600.

cycle17

Any bike shop should offer you at least one free follow-up tune up (or the 300 mile re-adjustment) since new cables will stretch and need to be readjusted. I'd tell the local bike shop that you have looked at a few used bikes, but decided that the warranty on a new bike and the service your looking for would be better served by giving your business to a good local shop. That tells them right away what you expect without having to ask for it. Honestly...once you've got a bike you like and have settled on a price, you can ask what type of service and adjustments will be included. But remember...if you are buying a $500 to say $800 bike...you can't go asking for a lot of free stuff. I'd expect them to offer at least some follow up service/adjustments for free though. Asking about warranties is perfectly fine, since they are usually dictated by the manufactures not the shop. Hope that helps.

markyore

good decision, cycle17s points were very true! even now on eBay 9 speed parts are selling for more than 10 speed parts? legacy parts are harder to come by therefore command higher prices! and the carbon quality back then would not equal even a alu frame today.

Tell us your size, if its truely 56-58 perhaps if someone sees someting they can point you in the right directio

jakeism

Im 6 ft tall. The LBS guy told me I'd ride either a 56-58 so thats why I was so interested in that bike.

Thank you, if you guys do see anything send me a message and I'll give many thanks. You will have done your cycling charity for the year. I'll be going to a few more LBS to look around next week.

Thanks again for all the helpful hints.
Jake

CardiacKid

While I think the price is a little high, I think the argument that it is going to be hard to find replacement parts is spurious. I own bikes made from 1969 to 2006. The parts for my older bikes have never been very difficult to find and are always cheaper than my modern bike. I recently stripped the thread on the part that holds the cable on a 1974 Campy NR front derailleur. I thought I was screwed. I went to my LBS, and they sold me an NIB replacement arm for the derailleur. I have been complaining about the price of 6 speed ultra freewheels, but they still cost less than half the cost of a new 10 speed cassette.

Skewer

I would be tempted to take that used bike in nice condition at $300 over a new bike at $500. JMO.

stapfam

Let the seller stew for a couple of weeks. Then go back with a lower price- $300 sounds about the max this is worth to me. It's an older bike with no known history to you- and the final check is does it fit?