Should I get this for my sister?
12-10-09, 09:16 PM
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 3
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Should I get this for my sister?
I thinking of buying a used 2006 Trek 1500 WSD for my sister. I found a 43cm for $675. Is that a good price?
https://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/B...+WSD&Type=bike
https://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/B...+WSD&Type=bike
12-10-09, 10:13 PM
#2
It's ALL base...
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 6,716
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
At first, I was like "you're getting a bike for your sister, that's a pretty good deal!" I often wished I could have made that trade when I was younger.
Then I realized you were buying her a bike. I think that price is a little high for a used 1500. Of course, if she loves the bike, it's in very good shape, and it fits her well, it'd be a good bike to start out with.
Still, I sometimes wish I could trade some of the people in my life for a new Colnago...
Then I realized you were buying her a bike. I think that price is a little high for a used 1500. Of course, if she loves the bike, it's in very good shape, and it fits her well, it'd be a good bike to start out with.
Still, I sometimes wish I could trade some of the people in my life for a new Colnago...
12-11-09, 01:18 AM
#3
Hills hurt.. Couches kill
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Brazil, IN
Posts: 3,370
Bikes: 1991 Specialized Sirrus Triple, 2010 Trek Madone 6.5 Project One, 2012 Cannondale Caad10, 2013 Trek Crockett
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
I guess it depends.. we'll have to see a photo of your sister first.
12-11-09, 09:22 AM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,132
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
YES , it seems like a solid deal, especially if she ends up liking it which speaks to DScott's comment on his sister; I share(d) his sentiments after having made unsuccessfull attempts in providing a bike for one of my sisters in particular. Seriously, seems like a VG choice; think small for the fems. as you have.
12-11-09, 11:45 AM
#6
The "Mechanic"
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: East Bay
Posts: 555
Bikes: 2013 Tarmac SL4 Pro; 2011 Lynskey Cooper, 2015 BH Quartz Disc, 2014 Yeti SB75
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
12-11-09, 05:24 PM
#8
Descends Like Avalanche
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Somewhere between Funkytown and Margaritaville, PA
Posts: 5,769
Bikes: Lynskey R240, Sportive, and a Helix Sport disc model in the works; Eddy Merckx MX Leader; Specialized Rock Hopper Comp (1988!)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
It depends, mostly on the condition of the bike, and whether or not it fits her. 43 cm is at the extreme end of the size range, and no bike is a bargain if it doesn't fit. Is your sister very petite? If it fits now and she's still growing, how long do you expect it to continue to fit?
Regarding the condition of the bike, have you had the chance to look at it directly? How hard has it been used over the years? Did the person ride it casually on weekends during the summer, for daily commuting, or for racing? What's the overall condition of the bike? I'd examine items that typically need to be replaced due to normal wear and tear such as tires, brake and derailleur cables, brake pads, chain, and handlebar tape. How true are the wheels? If any of these items need to be replaced, or if you'll need to have the wheels trued at a shop, factor that in to your final cost.
Has the bike been crashed? Look for warning signs such as a scraped up rear derailleur, torn brake hoods or handlebar tape, and crimps in the frame tubing (especially in the top tube or down tube, near the intersection with the head tube). If you think it has been crashed, that should significantly decrease the value. If an aluminum frame is buckled or bent, walk away and don't look back.
Bikes tend to depreciate pretty quickly. I think that paying over 50% of the MSRP for a bike that's had (potentially) four years of wear is high. It's not unusual for shops to discount brand new models from a previous year, so that's really not that much of a savings considering the wear and tear. I'd offer $400 and negotiate up from there, if needed. Who knows, the seller might be desperate for some holiday gift-giving cash and take that offer.
I think that this time of year definitely works in the favor of people who are buying used gear. Many people are putting their money toward gifts for others, rather than buying for themselves. That makes it much harder to sell used goods. I put a $300 insulated Gore-Tex parka on eBay, and it had been used only about half a dozen times, still in virtually new condition. The highest bid? $10! Thank god I had a reserve price on it! I also put up a very slightly used Castelli wind vest that was probably around $60 new. It didn't sell when I listed it at $15, but I relisted it and it sold for $11. This past summer I sold a brand new mountain bike that was several model years old on Craig's List for slightly less than half the original MSRP.
Also, since the frame size of this bike is extremely small, the pool of potential buyers will be very small (no pun intended). The seller will have a harder time finding potential buyers than if a more common sized frame were being offered. Considering all this, I think you can definitely do better than $675.
Regarding the condition of the bike, have you had the chance to look at it directly? How hard has it been used over the years? Did the person ride it casually on weekends during the summer, for daily commuting, or for racing? What's the overall condition of the bike? I'd examine items that typically need to be replaced due to normal wear and tear such as tires, brake and derailleur cables, brake pads, chain, and handlebar tape. How true are the wheels? If any of these items need to be replaced, or if you'll need to have the wheels trued at a shop, factor that in to your final cost.
Has the bike been crashed? Look for warning signs such as a scraped up rear derailleur, torn brake hoods or handlebar tape, and crimps in the frame tubing (especially in the top tube or down tube, near the intersection with the head tube). If you think it has been crashed, that should significantly decrease the value. If an aluminum frame is buckled or bent, walk away and don't look back.
Bikes tend to depreciate pretty quickly. I think that paying over 50% of the MSRP for a bike that's had (potentially) four years of wear is high. It's not unusual for shops to discount brand new models from a previous year, so that's really not that much of a savings considering the wear and tear. I'd offer $400 and negotiate up from there, if needed. Who knows, the seller might be desperate for some holiday gift-giving cash and take that offer.
I think that this time of year definitely works in the favor of people who are buying used gear. Many people are putting their money toward gifts for others, rather than buying for themselves. That makes it much harder to sell used goods. I put a $300 insulated Gore-Tex parka on eBay, and it had been used only about half a dozen times, still in virtually new condition. The highest bid? $10! Thank god I had a reserve price on it! I also put up a very slightly used Castelli wind vest that was probably around $60 new. It didn't sell when I listed it at $15, but I relisted it and it sold for $11. This past summer I sold a brand new mountain bike that was several model years old on Craig's List for slightly less than half the original MSRP.
Also, since the frame size of this bike is extremely small, the pool of potential buyers will be very small (no pun intended). The seller will have a harder time finding potential buyers than if a more common sized frame were being offered. Considering all this, I think you can definitely do better than $675.
__________________
The rider in my avatar is David Etxebarria, not me.
12-11-09, 10:43 PM
#9
Older than dirt
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Winchester, VA
Posts: 5,342
Bikes: Too darn many.. latest count is 11
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
$675 is high. Heck, I bought a closeout 2009 2.1 for my wife for $900. Could have had a 1.2 for $700.
And I'll ask the same as others, is your sister tiny? My wife is 4'11" and rides a 47cm.
-R
And I'll ask the same as others, is your sister tiny? My wife is 4'11" and rides a 47cm.
-R
