Help identifying this road bike
 

Hi all,

I have been offered this bike at a really good price, but I need a bit of help identifying it. Obviously I know its an Orbea Euskaltel, from around the early 2000's, it doesn't seem to have the carbon rear fork that the 2003ish Euskaltel Team had, I did notice the "C" logo above the bottom bracket, but I'm honestly not familiar enough with their bikes to identify it. Unfortunately this is the only picture I have gotten, its through a friend I trust so I know the bike isn't a heap, but I'm just interested to know if anyone can identify the approximate year, the frame material (I'm 99% sure its aluminum), the crankset, the wheels, anything else, etc. The rear brake and the front derailleur looks like Ultegra or Dura-Ace which is why I'm willing to buy even with only a crappy picture like this. I love the matching bar tape on it! Any help would be appreciated!

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3.../IMG957174.jpg

Anyone? Bueller?

Seriously? Why not ask the seller?

If it was that easy I would not have posted it here. Long story short a friend knows I am into bikes, sent me this picture with a "do you want it?" and a really good price. He is getting it off of someone who bought it cheap from the original owner who fell on hard times, the person he is getting it from does not know anything about bikes (and bought this one thinking he could learn fast... nope). My friend knows nothing about bikes but knows the original owner so I know the bike is not stolen or anything like that. Just a pain in the butt to play telephone with these guys, I'm waiting for my friend to deliver the bike to me, trying to figure out what to expect. Heck I don't even know if it fits me the best I could get was "medium" for the size. Figured the experts here may recognize it and tell me what to expect.

Buy it. when is the last time you saw a cool orange bike. This is a classic. A 2000-ish trek aluminium bike in good condition would go for 200-500 bucks. You can figure that as the worst case scenario if you need to sell it. The up side is you get a really sweet classic bike.

Ohh its bought, just waiting for my friend to get it to me. Just interested if anyone else here has/had one and knows more info about it. The wait is killing me lol

It looks like a 105 equipped Orbea Starship circa 2000.

Yup: http://www.vehibase.com/orbea-starship/photo-1.htm

2003 orbea mitis euskaltel

http://forallmyfriends.com/2012/03/15/mitis/

That.

This may be a later version of the bike but here's a link with some reviews/opinions: http://www.roadbikereview.com/cat/la...1_5668crx.aspx

Interesting and eye-catching graphics. The matching bar tape is cool.

This link is for another bike with carbon seatstays. ANother good detail is that orbea pretty much used the orange euskatel theme even in the bikes for little kids so you cant rely in the paint job to find the right bike. The mitis is just mid/high level bike orbea had a few years ago. I wouldnt race in that bike but for regular riding is more than capable. The only thing i would do is to put a carbon seatpost and handlebar because sure after 2.5 hours the ride will get a tiny harsh. Is the nature of aluminum thats all.

Thanks for the replies guys....

So I guess the consensus is I really need to see this thing in person, although ultraman's suggestion looks closest. I will surely post pics once my friend shows with it. Also need to keep my fingers crossed that its not too big. If it wasn't midnight I'd call him and ask whats up and when I can expect it.

Just wanted to thank everyone for their help again. I ended up backing out of this deal, suddenly the price went up $100 (the price was $700 to the first guy, he supposedly put tires on it and offered to me at $750, and suddenly its now $850) and my friend said the guy told him he needed to put some "work into it" to get it rideable which is the cause of the price increase. Who knows what he did or bought or whatever and honestly its not worth finding out and being stuck with a bike that has gotten half assed or is missing expensive parts. The guy knows 0 about bikes so for all know he took off the Dura-Ace or Ultegra and put on a cheap derailleur, and it was all just shady so I backed out.

I told my friend if he brings it to me and lets me inspect it I'll consider the purchase, but I'm not gonna be had on this one.

They probably went to the 41 and saw this thread.

I don't want to get into stereotypes, but theres no way that dude saw this thread. PS no phonecall yet on when I can see it. Glad I backed out.