cbordz

Hi all,

I'm looking into purchasing a used Cannondale T800, looks like according to the color it's from 2007.

The bike is for my boyfriend who I hope to drag on some tours with me . The seller is asking $260. Considering MSRP was $1300 this seems like a good deal to me, but it does have a small dent on the down tube (the seller said this should not affect performance though). Also, according to bicyclebluebook.com it appraises a 2007 T800 closer to $170-$200. I personally don't know how reliable bicyclebluebook.com is, but it seems pretty legit?

It looks to be in good condition from the pictures so is $260 reasonable or should I try to negotiate? Also, since Cannondale discontinued it, I don't know how that affects its value. Would love another opinion (or any info at all on the bike for anyone who rides one!). Thanks!

djb

unfortunately unless you have the technical knowledge of waht to look for to see what shape its in when you see it in person, theres not an easy answer.
Used stuff is always a crap shoot, re condition, and no answers on a forum will give you those answers.

the other aspect to take into consideration is, are all the parts the right parts for the bike? Is it stolen? Is the seller a dodgey character who doesnt answer questions properly??

bottom line, lots of unknowns.

if at all possible, have someone who really knows bikes to go with you to check it over.
Oh, and make sure its the right size, no use if its too big or too small....

ps, yes, thats a very good price

and yes, they are nice bikes. A good friend of mine has one, in fact I overhauled it for her this summer and its still in my garage!

bikemig 

Concur that's a good price and a small dent is unlikely to matter at all. Also bluebook is just weird. It's based on algorithms that simply do not reflect real world prices.

prathmann

Looks like a good price to me if in decent condition and I wouldn't worry much about it being discontinued since the parts are standard and still available. The bluebook web site seems to assume that values continue to drop each year on a pretty steady curve while in reality the depreciation tends to flatten out after a few years. As mentioned, make sure the frame size is right for your boyfriend. Hopefully it's also at least rideable by you so you can check out the mechanics of how well it shifts, handles, brakes, etc.

MAK

Has your BF ridden it? If he's going to tour with you, make sure it fits him and he's comfortable on it. The price seems fine for a quality bike that serves its purpose despite its age. There are a lot of older bikes that are being ridden out there.

katsup

Bicyclebluebook is not even close to accurate in my market. They are using the name "blue book" to make it seem official. I have even seen bike shops with signs that say that they'd pay $50 over the bicyclebluebook value.

The best way to determine value of a bike is to look at sold eBay listings. Checking there, I only see a 2004 T800 that sold for $350 (local pickup).

Andrew R Stewart 

The parts are what usually are the source of functioning problems. So their condition is what I would pay attention to WRT the cost/value of the bike. But as has been mentioned the rider's fit is first and foremost. I have found that surprise gifts of a bike can sometimes become the wrong kind of surprise... Andy (Who know better then to buy anything for his wife that she hasn't tried already)

Doug64

Cannondale stopped making their bikes in the U. S. in 2010; farming out their frame building to asian builders. They also stopped making true (my opinion) touring bikes at that time. A 2007 T 800 is a great bike. My wife rode her 2007 T 800 across the U.S. in 2007. I have a 2010 Cannondale T2 which has the same frame as the T800. The primary reason I bought this bike was because it was the end of the U.S., hand built Cannondale touring line; and I could not pass up the opportunity to get a used pristine 2010 T2.

Fit is everything. You might want to get your BF involved in the selection. Also, as djb, pointed out: it might be a good idea to have a knowledgeable person check the bike out before you buy it. The price is really a bargin if the bike is in good condition.

My wife with her T800 in Wyoming.

stardognine

The good thing about the T-series of C'dales, is that sloping top tube. I went from a '91 ST600 ( horizontal top tube) to a 2000 Silk Path (sloping top tube), and the difference is huge. Sloping gives you WAY more room, for mounting & dismounting. 👍
So in regards to sizing, you mostly just need to be sure the top tube is long enough, to stretch out good while riding. A nice long seatpost makes the rest easy. 🙂

3speed

jefnvk

Use BBB to your advantage if you can, but it is not based in any reality. IMO, it is wildly undervalued for anything but bikes made in the last two or three years, where the deprecation algorithm seems to work much better (although still not accounting for size, color, or location)

Other than that, a good shape C'dale touring bike would easily fetch $250 around me, maybe more. As others have said, bring the boyfriend along, if the bike doesn't fit him, no discount is worth it.

spinnaker

Thanks for reminding me. I used to tour on a SR500. It was manufactured about 100 miles or so from here. I always wanted to ride to the plant on my Cannodale. Thought it would be kind of cool. It was always "next year" until one year there was no "next year".


I actually looked at a T800 before I bought the SR500 but it was out of my price range at the time and I was not interested in touring at the time anyway. I opted for the SR500. A cheaper and faster than the T800 but still a fairly comfortable bike.

veganbikes

I wouldn't want to ride a loaded aluminum touring bike that is dented. I don't like dents in my cans or my bikes and when my bike is made of cans I especially don't want them.

The biggest factor when buying a bike is making sure it fits and is comfortable and does what you want it to do. In your case you would need to help your boyfriend find something that works for him, A used bike could be a good deal if everything is a great condition, it is owned by the seller (and not stolen or purchased stolen) and a reasonable price is asked. However you do need to know what you are doing when you go to look at it and assess it or you would want to take it into your local shop (maybe with some beer or cookies or something for the mechanic) and have them look over it with you and the seller.

djb

I have to laugh, as the lady who asked the question never came back here.

Heck, the bike could very well have been already sold by the time any of us took the time to write her thoughtful hints, dont know where you are, but a good touring bike hardly ever turns up on the used market around here, and they dont last long, certainly not at that price......and especially not with most young folks using data on their phones and getting instant email notices of used items etc and being able to instantly phone and contact the seller....

robow

Off topic but I'm guessing that fellow must be the mayor as well as the dog catcher.
Btw, great bike that Canny but would want to really inspect the dent as to no cracking/splitting nearby.

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