Need an opinion on a used bike deal

[ExciteBike66]

I'm scheduled to pick up a used bike today: 2010 Felt B16 Triathlon bike.

$400
Looks to be a in mint condition minus a few small scratches
Owned by an active triathlete who has lately become a single father and cannot train
Shimano 105 group
Almost new 23mm Conti tires

This is a good deal, right?

[PAMod]

1. I would do it in a heartbeat

$1500+ brand new, right?

You know he kept it in good working order, and didn't beat the snot out of it.

Good deal -

[TexasProgresive]

2. According to Bicycle Blue Book

The $400 might indicate the wheels and hubs have been upgraded at some time to carbon fiber aero wheels i.e. Zipp. Be sure to inspect the teeth on the rings and cogs for wear and that brakes and shifters all function well. And the most important that the bike be the right size for you.
I learned the hard way that bicycles unless they are some super special collector's dream don't hold their value very well. Looking at the picture of this model at the link it looks like a good tri/TT bike- not a Cervelo P5. That will come when you are sponsored.

https://www.bicyclebluebook.com/searchlistingdetail.aspx?id=20791
Excellent $321 - $330
Very Good $305 - $314
Good $278 - $287
Fair $200 - $206
MSRP New $2,000

[ExciteBike66]

3. Yeah I saw the blue book values

when I was researching it. It seems like the bikes I see listed for sale bear no relation to the blue book values, they all seem to be much pricier than the blue book would indicate.

I will say though that I cannot find a comparable bike with the 105 groupset listed for under $400, which is why I thought this one was a deal.

[TexasProgresive]

4. It probably is a great deal.

Last edited Tue Jun 12, 2018, 08:03 AM - Edit history (1)

My current bike is worth $4,000 to me because that's replacement cost. I doubt Blue Book would give me 10% of that for resale. NO, it's not for sale. I have been dreaming of a titanium frame bike since seeing one in 1993.

[ExciteBike66]

5. Oh nice (edited)

Last edited Tue Jun 12, 2018, 06:45 AM - Edit history (1)

Maybe the blue-book values are more like car wholesale values which are on the very low side compared to used car retail prices.

Edit: I now see that Performance Bike has "partnered" with the blue book in order to determine trade-in values. I am even more convinced now that the BB values are worthless when trying to determine how much to pay for a bike (but can be used to see how much you would get for your bike at Performance, I guess).