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

[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 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 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?