My Friend MIGHT Buy My Bike - Mistake?

[Skierchickie]

I'm posting under "New Riders" because it pertains to one, sort of.

I have a 2003 Trek 5200. It's a men's/generic 50cm frame, regular double crank. I got a Jamis Xenith Pro this summer, and need to sell the Trek. I've been very lazy about that, and will probably wait to advertise it/put it on Ebay until spring now (winter is nearly here, and most people around here are primarily mountain bikers anyway - not much road biking going on until May).

I do have a friend about 30 miles away (actually a business acquaintance who I get along very well with, mostly over the phone) who occasionally asks if I've sold the bike yet. I don't really know what kind of rider she is, but she currently has a flat-bar Giant of some sort, with a triple, which sounds like it is far too big for her (she has to straddle the top tube on her toes). She thinks this is no big deal. I think my bike is too big for her (she stood over it, and is touching with her feet flat on the ground), but she seems to be looking at it as a big improvement over what she rides now. She has the bike now, and sent me an email saying how much she likes it, but also mentioned wondering if raising the bars would help with neck pain she has with both bikes.

Personally, I'm not sure a CF racing bike is what she needs, and I'm pretty sure it does not fit her. She will not wear a helmet (which makes me shudder), and has never used clipless pedals (has used toe clips once in her life). I tech-weenie-ishly don't like the idea of platforms on this bike, but I realize that is none of my business. I also don't have the bars super-low, since my bike fitting this summer, and I think there is just one spacer left above the bars (I never had the steerer tube cut), although it has a 6 or 7 degree stem on it, so that could be increased. By the way - there is no shop in our area that does professional bike fittings.

Is it wrong of me to hope she won't buy it? I'd rather see her visit some shops (although I'm pretty sure she'd have trouble finding a road bike to fit her locally) and look around. Or is it really none of my business, if she decides she wants it? Deep down, I want to see this bike go to someone I know will take good care of it, which she would, but also someone who will ride the wheels off it in the manner it deserves. I guess I think of my bikes as pets or something - and my pets are my babies. I also think that if she needs a more upright bike, maybe she should be looking at bikes designed that way. However, maybe this could inspire her to get out and ride more, and eventually grow into the bike skill-wise.

I'm hoping this takes care of itself, but do any of you have any input? Give my 2 cents about checking out the shops and about the fit, but stay out of her decision? I haven't seen her on the bike, other than standing over it, so I have to admit that I don't know how it fits, but she is a couple/few inches shorter than I am, and looks like she is also proportioned with shorter legs/longer torso, like I am.

Thanks!

[Tuckervill]

What's wrong with just saying, "I know you're excited about this bike, but I don't think it's the right bike for your style of riding..." and then listing the reasons why (clipless, carbon fiber, she's shorter than you, etc.)?

You could explain to her that bike fit is an important part of any bike purchase, and you'd like to help her find a bike that would be perfect for *her*.

Be bold, but considerate of her feelings. I have a feeling she just wants to be like you, and just doesn't know what she doesn't know about cycling.

Karen

[Trek420]

Why not offer to take her bike shopping? Introduce her to your favorite LBS and help her find a bike just perfect for her.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

The only thing that really bothers me is her not wearing a helmet. Maybe you can tell her you policy is to ony sell it to a responsible helmet wearer?

[Skierchickie]

The only thing that really bothers me is her not wearing a helmet. Maybe you can tell her your policy is to only sell it to a responsible helmet wearer?

Tried that - it was going nowhere. At some point I felt naggy. You know that "there is some sort of wall between me and this other person on this topic" feeling? It is a personal choice, I guess, however much I don't want it to be. She does ride a motorcycle, and does wear a helmet then, but that is the law.

Maybe I will suggest meeting at the LBS one day. Even if they don't have anything her size (you'd be amazed at the in-stock selection of road bikes around here - the one I bought was only ordered because my DH mentioned to them that I'd been ogling it online.), they could give some fit suggestions. They could suggest a stem, set the saddle height, etc - or else tell her if it just isn't right.

I think a lot of my problem here is my own bike snobbery - the pedals are the choice of the rider, the carbon fiber frame is fun to ride. The only valid concern on my list is the size.

Thanks, guys. Your input is appreciated. And thanks for not calling me a huge elitist snob !

[Bluetree]

Personally, I would NOT feel comfortable selling someone a bike who I KNOW will not be wearing a helmet. People die and get brain damage all the time when not wearing one. If some head injury should happen, I would feel responsible (warranted or not) and that is not something I would want on my conscience. To me, a few things are non-negotiable... And riding a road bike without a helmet is one of them.

[Running Mommy]

Sounds like a bad idea to me. Lots of reasons, but then there is the friend thing.
If something were to break- like say a shifter- after you sold it then you might be guilted into fixing it. Or feeling like you should. If you sold it to a stranger and a month or so down the road something goes wrong, well not really your problem. It was a used bike.
I'm not in any way saying that there IS or may BE something mechanically wrong with the bike, but it is used. Stuff happens.
I'm still trying to sell my road bike, but when the boyz were doing a tune up on her a shifter broke. I had no idea that it was about to break, the bike always ran flawlessly. But it did. Of course I'm glad it did it before it went to a new home, but it just goes to show that stuff can happen.

I just always think that when selling something mechanical, it's best to sell to a stranger. They understand the "as is" clause better than a friend would. AND you won't be upset if the bike gets altered or (gasp) abused in any way.

My husband sold his old Santa Cruz through our shop. He was explicit when he told the guy "It's an old bike with old componets, so it's AS IS".
Well the guy has been back TWICE now to complain about the brakes and the shock.
I told him "no more used bikes through the shop!" OY!!!

[Grog]

I agree with RM. I live by "no business within the family or among friends" principle. Being from a very big extended family, most of which are small entrepreneurs of some sort, I have seen many deals turn bitter or uncomfortable.

Moreover, a bike too big to me sounds like a liability. You could tell her that you would feel very bad if she had an accident with that bike (and cracked her skull because of the no-helmet stubbornness).

But I understand the difficulty of dealing with the matter.

I understand from your message that she has the bike with her now. Perhaps you could tell her that you'll keep loaning it to her until spring and that she should buy her own then (while you sell this one)? Still, personally I don't lend bikes to people who won't wear a helmet. I don't want my civil responsibility implied in such an accident. If I loan a bike, I loan a helmet too.

[RolliePollie]

My family and I have had multiple negative experiences with selling things to friends and family, including a vehicle we sold to a relative that then exploded on the freeway. Even when it's been mutually agreed upon that the item is being sold as-is, when the person knows you and something breaks, they inevitably come back and either want you to fix it or blame you for it. I'd be concerned...especially since it sounds like the bike doesn't fit her. And the helmet thing...oh my. I'm kinda speechless on that one.

[mumbles]

Selling things to friends is on my list of things to never do. The main thing here though is the fit. Fit is the most important part of buying a bike. So if she insists on buying the bike, explain the fit thing and go to some bike shops with her to find out what a correct size would be. Maybe if she gets on one and feels the difference she will understand. Then if she still wants to buy used, at least she will have a better idea what size to look for.

She has the bike now? I wouldnt worry bout the helmet thing once you sell the bike, but she is riding your bike with no helmet now. So what happens if she gets hurt on your bike? I ask that cause when I was a kid a friend got hurt on my bike and they collected from our homeowners insurance for the doctor bills. Sell her the bike or get it back.