2010 Madone 5.5 WSD - $1900 (GOOD PRICE???)

[yankiwi]

I have the opportunity to buy this bike but need to know if you ladies can tell me if this is a good price for it please? It would be a huge upgrade for me and my first road bike, so I need to be sure about it :-)

And if you already have this bike, how do you like it?

Thank you for your help!
Carolyn
-------------------------------

2010 Madone 5.5 WSD Trek Road Bike, OCLV Carbon - Compact Double - Metallic Sky Blue
Perfect condition, only about 600 miles on it, upgraded the Bontrager brakes to Force brakes, one tiny spot where decal is chipped. White carbon bottle cages included. Pedals not included.
Fork Bontrager Race X Lite w/E2 aluminum steerer, carbon crown and legs
Wheels Bontrager Race Lite
Tires Bontrager Race X Lite AC, 700x23c
Shifters SRAM Force
Front Derailleur SRAM Force
Rear Derailleur SRAM Force
Crank SRAM Force 50/34
Cassette SRAM PG-1070 11-28, 10 speed
Saddle Bontrager inForm Race Lite WSD
Seat Post Carbon seatmast cap
Handlebars Bontrager VR WSD, 31.8mm
Stem Bontrager Race X Lite, 7 degree, 31.8mm
Headset Cane Creek IS-2 Integrated w/cartridge bearings, sealed, alloy; 1-1/8" top, 1.5" bottom
Brakeset SRAM Force w/SRAM Force levers

-----------

[yankiwi]

PS: in case you're wondering, yes, I have ridden it etc, and fit is great ... just needing to know if price is good or otherwise, plus if others who have the same bike like it.

I've clocked up >2000 miles on my hybrid FX so far this summer so am thinking it's time to move up to a better ride :)

Thanks for your help/advice/tips.... I'm just a little nervous :confused: :eek:

[indysteel]

Per other listings for Trek Madones of various vintgages on eBay, it seems competitively priced, but it will only prove to be a good deal if (a) it fits you and (b) it's in the condition the seller indicates. I say "seems" because an advertised price may have little to do with what price something ultimately sells for. Is this a local sale? Can you meet the seller at a bike shop for a test ride and to pay a mechanic to examine it or examine it yourself?

ETA: Sorry; I didn't see your post that you've already ridden it and that it fits. Nevermind. If you like the bike and it's in good condition, then go for it!

[Grits]

Seems like a very good deal to me. I saw another one just like it on Road Bike Review for $2,500. I paid considerably more for a 2010 5.2 WSD (which I love) at a year end sale a couple of years ago.

[yankiwi]

Thanks Indy - yes, after I re-read my post I realized I was likely to get people asking all about fit etc lol. I know that fit is all important and no amount of getting a so called 'good deal' can make it worth it if you're inagony on your rides, so I thought I'd better ad a "PS". Thanks tho, for your concern :-)

[yankiwi]

@ Grits: Wow, that's JUST the kind of feedback (and confidence boost) I'm needing - thank you! Hopefully others will join in so I'll have no fear of buyer's remorse if I get it! Thanks so much!

[indysteel]

To echo what Grits said, some of the prices on used Madones on eBay is quite a bit higher. Your bike at $1900 seems like it is sort of on the low end. Do you know why they're selling it? Do you have any concerns over it being stolen?

[yankiwi]

Thanks again for your concern, Indy - no it's not stolen :-). She and her husband started mountain bike riding and this has now become her great love so she's not riding her road bike anymore - it's just gathering dust.

I tried to research the price to see if it was a good price too, but I just came up empty, which is when the light bulb went off and instead of 'lurking' here and reading everything everyone else writes, I thought to ask my own question :D I know, I'm kinda slow lol

[yankiwi]

[QUOTE=Muirenn;654128]Check the bike very carefully. Look for scratches on the brake levers and hoods that may indicate a crash. Look at the rear derailleur and check for scratches. Also indicative of a crash. Check the rear dropout area right over the cogs, this area can get worn if the low limit screw is off. If that area is carbon, could be a bad idea. Look over the entire frameset and remove the seatpost and look in the seattube for condition, cracks, etc. Look over the fork carefully. Look at the rear corners of the saddle for scuffs. Could indicate a crash. Yeah right, those marks happened from leaning against a wall. Sure they did. Everyone uses that excuse on used saddles on Ebay. Doesn't much matter for most saddles, except carbon ones. But does indicate a crash.

Check the general condition of the paint and try to imagine what caused any issues.

And, of course, ask if it's ever been crashed.

Thanks Muirenn - I always enjoy your posts so was hoping you would chip in :-) .... altho, now I'm not so sure :( as I think I'm perhaps naive or at least, too trusting. I had already asked if it had been crashed or laid down and when the answer was "No", I thought nothing more ..... until now!!! Hmmmm, you've certainly opened my eyes to things I never considered and for that, I'm most grateful. Will check the bike out per your instructions; never wouldn't worried otherwise but makes perfect sense. Just a couple of questions (as I've never bought a pre-owned bike before so am not used to this): I don't 'get' your point about carbon saddles - care to expand that?
Also, how does removing the seat post help my investigations?

Thanks so much again for your valuable insights - might turn out to be my saving grace :-)

[indysteel]

Actually, it appears that the MSRP (http://bikereviews.com/road-bikes/trek/2010-trek/trek-madone-5-5-wsd-womens-road-bike/) may have $3,999. That doesn't mean that it couldn't hurt to bargain a bit, but I, personally, wouldn't lose sleep over paying the asking price of $1900.00 if it's in great shape and the components aren't overly worn. Do you know how many miles it has on it and what, if anything, has been replaced for wear?

[Grits]

Could you offer to pay your LBS something to inspect it for you?

[ColoG8r]

Carolyn...it certainly is a beautiful bike. I agree with getting it checked out by a bike shop. While it seems like a decent deal to me, it all comes down to the true condition of the bike.

One other thing I would do is to try new bikes. My understanding is that a lot of component technology trickles down to lower models. If that is the case, a 2012 or 2013 lower model may feel the same or better than this 2010. Trying new bikes may also give you peace of mind on this bike if it feels much better than anything new in this price range.

Again, it is such a nice-looking bike. I love the color! Good luck with your decision.

[Grits]

I still think it is a good deal. If you feel good about the condition of the bike after your own or a LBS inspection, I'd go with it!

[yankiwi]

Ladies -

Thanks so much for the great information! I've been reading them on my iTouch but it's not the most ideal machine to write back on, so I waited till I could get to my laptop at home :-).

You have certainly raised some very good points and your input has been invaluable. After reading Muirenn's tips on how to thoroughly check the bike out, I have now watched a few youtube videos of the same ... I had NO clue to check all these things - WOW - huge help!

Also, it's interesting reading your thoughts on the price. I initially thought it was an excellent price but now I'm not so sure. The $1900 price IS actually the negotiated price we settled on - she was originally asking $2400! (She told me it retailed for $4600 but I can't find that price anywhere. Her husband is selling his equivalent non-WSD bike for $2400 too). We did the negotiations via email & phone since we live 2 hours from each other and I suggested we do that earlier rather than later so we would at least be on the same page and see if we could likely do a deal. In the meantime I thought to run it by you ladies here to see what you thought and I'm so glad I did. Now, I'm not so sure I'm interested in the bike :confused:

Re the idea of getting a LBS to check over the bike for me:
1. not sure seller will go for that (in which case, maybe I should run??)
2. is this a customary thing for LBS stores to do?? (won't they be annoyed that I'm not buying new from them?).
3. What kind of price are they likely to charge and how long would it take for them to do it, do you think?

Thanks so much again,
oh yeah, Indy - it's been ridden about 600 miles (about 200 per year).
@ ColoG8r: interesting point you make also - my husband just said something similar to me so it's worth thinking about. Thanks

[yankiwi]

Thanks Ladies for all your help. When I started this thread asking for your thoughts, I'd pretty much decided the bike was a great deal and I would be buying it within the week.

After reading your thoughts, I've gotten cold feet - it's a big chunk of $$ and I don't want to make a mistake. Have been discussing your comments with hubby and now have decided that I'm not going to buy it. Will wait, do more research, ride more bikes and other brands (which I haven't done yet), and be armed with more info before buying my first road bike, perhaps a lesser one than the Madone 5.5 but new and from a dealer on sale??? Time will tell but don't want to rush this and have regrets.

Thanks so much; I am grateful for the time you took to help me; what a wonderful group this is! :)

Carolyn :)

[indysteel]

Your decision, but given what new carbon bikes are running these days, I think you may be passing on a good deal. The lowest level Madone will run you over $2k new with lesser components.

[emily_in_nc]

Your decision, but given what new carbon bikes are running these days, I think you may be passing on a good deal. The lowest level Madone will run you over $2k new with lesser components.

I have to agree. Although I love the ladies of TE, I have found that we/they as a group can be a wee bit on the skeptical/cautious side. :rolleyes: Sometimes making a brave decision is exactly what you need to do.

I'm not saying you should buy the bike as I don't know all the facts, but I would certainly not rule it out without serious consideration. If it fits, is in good condition, and is less expensive than other comps, it might just be the bike for you.

[yankiwi]

Don't feel bad ... I just lost my nerve when I realized I didn't know how to check a bike out properly and to risk that it 'might' have been crashed unnerved me. That's ok. Better safe than sorry. Will now get better educated and equipped thanks to all your help :)