Advise - do I pull the trigger or should I pass?

[violetpurl]

I was watching an Ebay sale (Orbea Diva - swoon) and bid this afternoon and ended up as high bidder, but didn't meet the reserve price. The seller is offering the bike to me at my high bid - $2500 plus shipping. I realize I probably should have asked the question prior to bidding, but ...

I'm a new rider (4 months) and ride a Felt ZW100 I got on Craigslist. I hasn't taken me long to figure out that I want a better bike. My Felt is a medium.

Thoughts?

[indysteel]

That's a very nice bike for the money. The Chorus drivetrain alone is worth a fair amount. But how sure are you about the geometry? The 49 Diva is probably comparable to a small Felt. How does your current bike fit you? How tall are you, what's your inseam, how long are your arms? The Diva won't be a good deal for you if it doesn't fit you. Also, do you know how the Diva sustained that ding? You really have to be mindful in buying a used carbon bike that it wasn't involved in a crash or accident. Did the ebay seller happen to say why she was selling the bike?

[Cataboo]

Is there somewhere local that you can go test ride an orbea? Like today? Make sure that the bike will fit you.

[7rider]

Is there somewhere local that you can go test ride an orbea? Like today? Make sure that the bike will fit you.

...or even like the way the bike rides.

[violetpurl]

Thanks everyone! I'm 5' 2.5", 29 5/8" inseam, arm width 41 3/8", and underarm to finger tip length is 25". Yes, there is an Orbea dealer 45 miles away that I'm going to try to get to this afternoon (will call first to make sure they have a Diva, but I'm sure they at least have a 49 road bike in the Dama collection to test).

[tulip]

$2500 for a used bike with unknown history from someone far, far away whom you don't know seems like a bad deal to me. I'd take that money and go to a local shop and get a good bike that you know will fit while establishing a relationship with that local shop.

[violetpurl]

$2500 for a used bike with unknown history from someone far, far away whom you don't know seems like a bad deal to me. I'd take that money and go to a local shop and get a good bike that you know will fit while establishing a relationship with that local shop.

Thanks - I got caught up in the moment and knew I should have stepped away. Luckily, I can. No seller history also was a red flag I was ignoring. Backing away from the ledge and walking toward sanity again.

[indysteel]

$2500 for a used bike with unknown history from someone far, far away whom you don't know seems like a bad deal to me. I'd take that money and go to a local shop and get a good bike that you know will fit while establishing a relationship with that local shop.

I tend to agree. I, personally, wouldn't buy a used carbon bike unless I personally knew the seller well. And, frankly, at that price, it makes me wonder if the bike was stolen.

To the OP, I understand your desire to upgrade to a new bike after only a few months, but you can get a good, well fitting bike for less than the price of a new or used Orbea (although Orbeas, are indeed, lovely). Based on the measurements you gave, I have to wonder if your Felt is a little big for you. As Tulip suggests, start test riding locally. Hopefully, you find something you like.

[kermit]

I had a similar situation on a mountain bike and it turned out to be a scam. There was a reason it was too good to be true! Thats alot of money to play with. I would shop until you find something local. There's nothing better than buying from a good LBS that you can return to for help.

[SBeachBiker]

I bought a bike off Ebay, and it turned up exactly as described. I don't actually think $2500 for a used Diva is bad - they tend to sell for around $2800 on Ebay. Depending on who you buy from there is buyer protection on Ebay - if it were me I'd have taken the chance if it was the bike I wanted. But that's just me.

As far as LBS - that's all well and good, but you won't be buying anything in the Diva's league for $2500. I guess it's a personal risk-reward equation...I'm riding a perfect, virtually new bike that cost $1000, rather than $2300 plus tax. For that money I'd have been on aluminum at my LBS rather than the smooth comfortable carbon I ended up with. Just my 2 cents.