I’m hoping to talk the price down some but is this reasonable? I know it’s old but according to seller it’s barely been ridden. Any advice is appreciated.
Seller Description:
Barely ridden Specialized Roubaix SL4
56 CM
Full Carbon
Shimano 105 group set
FSA 50/34T Front sprocket
New Tires
Extra saddle
Shimano Road Pedals included
Maybe 300 miles on it
112 was from one Ironman
No crashes or drops
In excellent condition
by Felder64
3 Comments
A 12-year-old rim-brake bike with the old 10-speed 105 groupset isn’t worth anywhere near $900. $500 tops if its in pristine condition.
Look for a bike with the newer 10-speed Tiagra 4700 groupset. Tiagra 4700 actually shifts better than 10-speed 105 because 4700 uses the longer 11/12-speed shift cable pull. And a secondhand Tiagra 4700 bike will probably be priced lower.
It’s definitely not worth that much money. A 12-year-old bike with rim brakes and a cheap package of components that the owner was too lazy to go out ride doesn’t make it worth $900. The Shimano 105 group of 12 years ago is not the 105 group of today. Then it was the lowest level of components it would sell on bikes like Specialized. Shimano keeps moving. It’s component groups up in the line so that the 105 group now is about where the Ultegra group was 10 years ago.
I’m always nervous of the barely ridden bicycles, it means he has no idea what the headset is like or the bottom bracket or wheel bearings, because he’s never looked at them. Give me a bicycle that’s been well used and well maintained any day over barely ridden. So he doesn’t know if it’s in excellent condition or not. Any bike that has sat for 12 years without being used isn’t in excellent condition.
Offer him $450, which is a gift that’s $500 -$150 tuneup but it’s gonna take and be relatively firm about it.
Agreed, it’s not worth more than $400-$500 in good condition. Barley ridden does not negate time, age means dry bearings, locked up bolts, rotten brake pads, loose spokes, slack cables and all means of decay.