Used Bike Pricing Help, NEWB!

Muted said:

I am looking at buying my first road bike, and have been offered a used bike by a co-worker/friend of mine, but I would like to know from those with experience what the bike is worth.

Here is what I know:

*Douglas Al frame with Carbon seat stays, Carbon fork (reynolds), Carbon seat post.
*All components are Shimano Ultegra (9-speed)
*Well maintained by an amatuer racer/cyclist (from what I have seen he is a perfectionist with all his bike maintainence/upkeep)

I did take it for a spin and everything felt good, and sizing was about right for me.

Thanks in advance from a newb trying to get into the sport.

Well, "about right" is really a vague statement, and should be looked at as the starting point for determining how much you should offer your friend -- immediately, I would discount the value by $200 from the optimum USED price.

First, the bike is a few seasons old ... when he bought it, he probably paid between $1400 & $1800 depending on whether he bought it new (a year EARLIER) or when Colorado Cyclist was discontinuing carrying the model ...

For $1400, you could buy a pretty nice, NEW bike ... in fact, for $1000, I think you could get a NEW bike with 10-speed Ultegra components (web/mail order) ... so, that has to be thought of as the ABSOLUTE high end of what you should consider paying (but, keep reading!).

Without looking, I'm pretty sure that there are new, comparable bikes which will probably cost you about $800 on eBay.

Sight unseen (the bike probably has 10,000-to-15,000+ miles on it if he used it for training AND racing -- that mileage is near/past the end of the life of the components), the bottom line is that on the low side, I'd suggest that you offer your friend no more $500 (maybe, less) ... so, $800 on the high end would be really, REALLY GENEROUS on your part UNLESS he only used it for the races & logged less than 2,000 miles on it.

Ask how many miles the bike & components have seen ... and, hope he is candid.

The HARD REALITY is that a used bike generally loses its value very rapidly until the time when it achieves VINTAGE (generally, only if RARE) status ... and then, it may recoup close to the original price ADJUSTED FOR INFLATION, but that rarely happens.

Make sure that it fits well before you commit.

I would probably agree with alfeng's suggested price range for a used aluminum framed bike with 9s components. If the condition is truly excellent, fit is perfect, wheels are nice, and there is no impending need to replace casette, chain, tires, or bar tape, then I might consider going towards the higher end of that range.

I saw on the Colorado Cyclist website that they have a Douglas Al frame cross bike with 9s ultegra on sale for $899 new.

$650-$700.

Thanks guys! I will have to ask about mileage and what it was used for. I do know that this is one of his girlfriends bikes, they have about 10-12 among them for different events/usage, time trials, racing, commuting, general fitness. This I think is her 3rd that she really doesn't use all that much, condition is very nice! Only thing needed is a rear tube that he will replace, and also give me lots of extras, tubes, bag, tools, and what not. He wants 500, but I willl ask on mileage, and what she used it for.

thanks again!

$500 would probably be fair for all.

John M said:

$500 would probably be fair for all.

FWIW. I agree.