mrbUSA

Madone 5.2 Cost Estimate Please

A little over 2 years ago a friend at work bought a Madone 5.2. He never got the bug and it's been sitting. I'm hoping I can get a good idea of it's value. I’ve googled it and the average prices are around 3K. Since it’s a couple years old, would that price still hold? Also it’s a 62cm, so is there a large demand for such a large frame?
Madone 5.2
62cm huge
Full Ultegra Compance 52/39
Look Keo pedals
Bonte Race Lites
112 miles on the odo.
Assume standard out of the box gearing
Metalic Blue
It's super clean and hardly ridden.

mrbUSA

BTW, he's talking about giving it to the local LBS on consignment and I have a neighbor that's in the market and it might fit him. So what would be a fair number to both parties.
Thanks again, Mike

Sanman023

youre looking at around $1500-$1800....

mrbUSA

Can you clarify you numbers? Thanks

Sanman023

ebay sold prices give you an idea what people are willing to pay....that number is based on condition, components, demand, and maybe appearance to the buyer (ie: color scheme)....

bmohan55

wife bought her SL 5.2 last year for $2,000, believe it was 2-3 years old at that time (Red & Black)

mrbUSA

Thanks guys

eippo1

That's a 2008 5.2 w/ a pro fit. In general, 2008 5.2's have sold for between $1700 and 2K depending on condition and use on fleabay. That should give you an indicator of where to start. The size combined with the aggressive geometry might push it down towards the 1700 side of the scale.

mrbUSA

Thank you. Apparently his LBS suggested 2500 as is, computer, pedals, cf bottle cage blah blah. I've got the bike at he office and it's clean as a whistle, no wear anywhere. Is 2500 possible?

bostongarden

Anything is possible. It is also possible to list it for $2500 and have it sit unsold for a loooooong time. Good luck.

zac

2500 is very ambitious, even though the bike looks essentially unridden. I agree that the 1500-2000 is more in line.

Pros:
-It has pedals and computer already.

Couple of cons however:
- You will not get a warranty on the frame. Trek's warranty is to the original owner only.
- Those early 5 Series frames experienced some issues with the precision sockets on the BB. Have seen numerous reports of "loosening" cranksets, and unable to get the BB bearings to seat properly thereafter, prompting a replacement warranty frame from Trek. I have always suspected installation and continuing maintenance as the primary cause, so just be aware of it, and know that you don't get the warranty should the issue arise. There are no cures if the damage has been done, other than getting creative with flanges and custom work.
- The seat mast cap on that model is the first generation one which was not recalled by Trek (for a short period of time in 2008 you could request a replacement for free, but that is no longer the case). Trek indeed redesigned the clamp fairly early on in the model year, so it was only the very first ones that had that type of mast cap. The first gens were subject to clamp cracking or slipping, and a replacement can set you back ~130 US or so, so keep that in mind.
-The 2008 version of the Bonty Race Lite (and Race X Lite) wheels, especially the rear wheel was prone to loosening nipples on the spokes and going out of true very easily and constantly. The rims were also prone to hairline cracks. However, Trek will warranty the wheels without a second thought, most larger LTD's will actually give you a replacement on the spot, no questions asked, with a problem showing in the old wheel. Just something to be aware of too.

mrbUSA

I appreciate the sincere input.

eippo1

$2500 would be pretty unfair to the neighbor as far as price goes. If you look at ebay, no bike older than 2009 has sold for $2000 or over. The problem is the year of the bike because they depreciate quickly given the competition for stiffer, lighter etc between the manufacturers. The current model year is 2011 and the 2012 models will be coming out at the end of the summer. That particular model as pointed out by zac had a host of issues, which doesn't help either.
Lastly a search for Specialized Tarmac Experts (the Spec. equivalent) comes up with prices from $1500 to $1800, so he'll have a really hard time selling the 5.2 at a price that nobody would pay for it.

zac

Two last thing and one is kinda remote, but it is something you would want to check.

1) IIRC The very early 62cm 5 series Madones (These are ones that were distributed in 2007) were not the Black OCLV carbon like all the other 5 Series Madones, instead it was the White level OCLV carbon. Essentially the lowest grade of OCVL that Trek was doing at that time. I don't think that was a big deal, just something to be aware of.
2) But more importantly, pull the headset bearings, if the seals on the bearings are blue and not black or green, then they need to be replaced. I never got the straight scoop, as to why, but apparently the blue sealed lower HS bearing (The large one) was prone to seizing or other failure. (Not sure if it was an Enduro, but since Trek uses them, and they are a large cartridge bearing OEM, then possibly so.) I say this is remote, because I only know of 1 Madone that had this, and it did suffer the issue headset failure, and it was a 62cm 6.5 Pro, albeit not a 5.2 Pro.

zac

All in all, though, assuming that bike fit me (I ride a 56) I would be thrilled to be able to pick it up for 1800 or less. At the end of the day it is a great riding machine. It's very comfortable, and very stiff, and with the right set of wheels can easily get below 15lbs.

(of course, I would strip it, part out the essentially new Ultegra and Keos and the carbon cage and computer, I figure even at a fire sale I could get 500 for those) I have enough parts and replacements in my shop to refit the bike with 7800 and better wheels, and my preferred saddle so that wouldn't be an issue.

fosmith

What this guy said. But, I'll add a bit regarding the BB. If there was a problem with the BB on the bike, the current owner would certainly have noticed it. If they didn't, and there was an issue, there is an "oversized" bearing that can be installed that alleviates the problem at minimal cost, so no worries there.

Also, that hideous saddle devalues the bike by about $200!! j.k.

mrbUSA

Agreed, the saddle is chunky. Good door stop.

trek2.3bike

I paid $2700 for a brand new "one year old" bike from a dealer (WITH warranty). But that was before the 5.2 price reduction in 2010. On a carbon bike, IMHO the warranty is worth a lot. I'd drop the price at least $500 for that alone. Then drop it $1000 for being 2 years old (I know it's nice but the market won't pay more for a 2 year old bike). Then you could discount it for unsalability because at 62 cm you are at the thin end of the bell shaped curve of sizes.

So a "fair" price is current price of NEW bike $3000 minus 500 minus 1000 = $1500 or less. A that price, snap it up.