Please help me purchase this used bike? Does it look "mint"
 

I'm looking to buy a used bike (2013 Cannondale Evo Hi Mod Women's ). It's advertised as "MINT" but what should I be watching out for? It's a lot of money and want to make sure I'm not missing anything. What additional pictures should I ask for? What questions about what components should I be asking?

Pictures are attached. It will be from ebay so returnable if I have any problem, but I want to make sure I know as much as possible beforehand so we don't waste each other time. I'm newbie.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2013-Cannond...item3a8fba8d5d

Thanks again for all your help.

You're a newbie and you want to buy a $3500 used bike?

Do you know it fits? If you have that kind of money to burn go-to the lbs, get a professional fitting and get a brand new $2000 bike

What if $3500 is a drop in the bucket to this guy/gal ? Nothing wrong with buying what you can afford, even if it is nicer than the bikes most of us ride around.

If you're a newbie, you really should buy the bike from an LBS. It takes skill to make a bike run well. You can and probably should learn those skills but the shop will make sure that the bike fits and that it runs right and it will take care of the bike over time. In the meantime, you can pick up the skills you need. Buying a high dollar racing bike used from ebay has the potential for real headaches; just sayin.

I know. I'm from Southern Cal too ;-). I live amongst filthy rich people. But I myself am not poor but I am frugal and when I was just starting out I went with the cheapest stuff that wasn't pure junk just in case I didn't get into it. But I guess that is why you can get a 1 year old Cannondale with Red for 1/2 off new price because someone with even more money bought it and just couldn't get into it.

But my main point is if you are new and you do have a lot of money to spend might as well spend some on a really top notch professional fit and then get a nice new bike

RMS13 and BIKEMIG are right.


If CHESTERFIELD is "I'm newbie", she would be better, best, bested to say the least in securing a LBS to sit down with at a minimum and seriously discuss matters speaking to pragmatic needs for now and the foreseeable future. One of the most significant subjects being ye olde fit that fits her and her needs............. Whether she ultimately conducts business with a LBS or not is her prerogative but at least she would get theoretical proper, intelligent, sensible direction from what RMS, Bikemig and I hope to be a sound, honest, experienced and competent shop. Chesterfield's needs also ask for other basic necessities to that of a complete bike which a LBS can again speak to and outfit her with..........

Not to go pejorative on the Cannondale (are you listening Chesterfield?) but that rig has a number of components and design peculiarities that are proprietary to Cannondale and I do not like proprietary items on any bike. The Zipp wheels as well are their own "fie upon thou" proprietary animal................ Servicing and parts 'down the road' on such a "they saw you coming" hooptie eventually make you regret same. Too many manufacturers these days create their own unique design, falling away from established norms and any departure from norms eventually comes back to haunt you, starting with your purse. You are best served regardless of your experience to "stick to the basics" in spite of now living in a world that is anything but. There's a lot of hoopla these days, all promising more miracles than Heinz have tomato. Do. Not. Believe. It. Period!
The basics (still the best) are out there, you just have to know what to look for and ferret same out with the help of an experienced and competent (hello!) LBS that didn't drink the Kool Aid in 2008 or 2012 if you catch my drift.....................

I openly and readily admit that I am not at all a fan of carbon nor aluminum frames, nor Shimano nor SRAM "gruppo". Kind of narrows it down............. For the $3K - $4K or so she is potentially capable of separating herself from I would like to think there exist a number of vastly more intelligent purchases, such as a sound bike with standard set up and again one ultimately put together by a sound, competent shop that will dial her in with some money left over to also get some essential basics and the rest as opposed to her wasting, I mean spending her money on the Cannondale. Case in point; I am partial to still unparalleled 32x3X wheels, as a perfect example.................. Hope you made note Chesterfield.

Newbie? Look at OP's join date.

7 posts and no one yet has even addressed the OP's question. go off on a tangent about "newbie" and who can afford what.

bike looks good to me. don't know if the zipp's are OEM but if it's not been wrecked, it looks good. also don't think those bars are original. compare it with the 2013 in the cannondale archives and see. good luck

OP, can we get more info about your cycling background?
Bikes previously owned? Riding style? etc..

S

Bike looks fairly flash - and hasn't done a lot of work, so would be a decent buy at $3.5k.

OTOT - kicking myself today, as I had an opportunity to grab a '13 SS HM with SRAM Red for AUD$2200 recently - ex local team bike in fantastic condition, but was a tad too slow!

cheers

Rich or poor, I would NOT buy a used CF bike from eBay.

I say, for the cash you're spending, you'd do a lot better by buying brand new from a dealer.

People get ripped off on eBay daily! :twitchy:

Thanks for the answers.

Background: I've ridden for years on and off, but I am a newbie when it comes to purchasing a USED bike. I have been fitted and know my geometry. I've owned 2 bikes and sold both recently. Those bikes were around $3k each NEW and I'm looking to spend around that much but get much better bang for the buck by going "USED" route.

The handlebar and stem and wheels are aftermarket, indeed. Everything else are spec'ed according to Cannondale's website. Just want to get your opinion before I plunk the cash. I know I'm taking a risk buying a used bike ... but that doesn't mean there isn't a good used bike right?

My riding style is recreational but I like fast riding. I've done 40-100 miles regularly in the past, but life got busy and didn't do much last year. This year, I'm looking into biking again and need a nice bike. Yes, I know I can get a nice bike for $3k NEW but again, I want one that is light and has nice components. Thanks in advance for any insights, offers, tips you may provide.

That looks to be in about as good a condition as a bike that has been ridden can be. Like others have said it's impossible to tell just by looking if someone used a torque wrench on all the carbon bits.

That bike is last generation Sram Red which was only around for 2-ish years. From what I understand some bits are 11 speed compatible and some are not. Definitely not the latest and greatest component-wise.

I'd personally look for something new with 11 speed Ultegra (6800).

Why don't you ask if you can meet him @ a local shop & pay to have it looked over (at your cost)? I don't think it's unreasonable to ask for the money you are putting down, and you are getting an unbiased judgement on things like frame condition, rim/tire wear, chain wear, bb, etc....

I don't live anywhere close to the buyer, otherwise I'd take your advise.

I definitely will bring the bike into the shop once I receive it to get 2nd opinion, etc. I will also test ride a few times to make sure there are no problems. The bike is returnable per ebay's policy if I find anything "UNTRUE".

Thanks,

No "red flags", except for the 1 negative rating. But that's for 1 tire, and the buyer doesn't explain the problem, so maybe just a grouch ?

I'd be very cautious using this as a fail safe in the event that there's a problem with the bike. I just recently went through a similar issue in where a buyer tried to pull a fast one due to what I suspect to be buyer's remorse. eBay sided with him initially because I never specified the condition of the frame beyond "used." It was until I provided them with a photo showing exif data and a time stamp within ten minutes of the shipment time that the bike was shipped in undamaged condition. During the investigation (which took almost 40-days) eBay via PayPal held my funds in escrow despite the fact that the buyer continued to enjoy the bike.

I've had similar experiences outside of bike sales as well. They make it sound really easy but it's absolutely not (to get your money back or to defend yourself in the event of a claim).

$3500 for a used bike? No thanks.

Going to spend that much, get it from an LBS, have it fitted. For $3500 it better fit like a glove, perfect. And then I would want LIFETIME WARRANTY on that. Oh and some insurance. And if going to use it and lock it up somewhere, dunno to go for a walk or coffee, I'd want 3 Kryptonite New York U Locks.

https://www.kryptonitelock.com/Pages...PNumber=000952

You're projecting your opinions and limited resources on the op.

I'm busy enjoying my second used carbon frame from eBay. Nothing wrong with it.

Chesterfield- the main negative going used is that cannondale won't provide you with any warranty support. If the savings is worth it then go for it.

Suggesting that the OP go to an LBS actually does answer her question. This is a judgment call and you and the OP are certainly entitled to feel differently about whether the OP should be buying a bike from ebay given her professed lack of experience.

Thanks. This is the kind of answer I was looking for...

The bike looks like its in good shape and hasn't been crashed. No scratches on derailuers or shifters. Assuming you know the geometry works for you, then I don't see a reason not to go for it.

Bike looks to be in very, very good condition. I do not see any signs on the drive side of every being laid down. That said, the wear on the upper two cogs of the cassette would appear to indicate that bike has at least 500 to 750 miles on it (or at least that cassette does by itself). Overall, very nice. Also, signs of some rear derailleur cable stretch as it looks like its been reset a couple times with the sheathing pulling apart. Just my guess...

If I was interested and had any concerns on potential cracks/issues with the frame, I would send the seller a question and ask him if it would be possible to get an inspection of the frame from a bike shop before you finalize payment.

GL - buying used is the way to go. It is how I got both my R3 and P2 at close to 30 cents on the dollar of the going rate when they were new.

Thanks for the great info. I don't live close to him, so to inspect the bike I'd have to make the payment, have him ship it to me, then bring it to a bike shop to get an inspection/2nd opinion.

Wow, 30 cents on the dollar is FREAKING DEAL on those awesome bikes!

My cassette is much better condition and I got way more miles than that just this year alone and bought the cassette end of last year. And his chain looks more worn than mine as well and my chain is the same one I was using since February, ride all winter. 750 seems low to me.