I've been cycling all my life, but I don't know much about bikes. The only road/race bike I've ridden is a way too small (51 cm frame while have an 88 cm inseam) 20 year old decathlon one that my dad got for around €200. I want to get my first good bike but don't want to spend over €1000.
This bike cost around €1500 5 years ago, so I can get it for half it's original price. Does it look good in the pictures?
Here is the ad description:
Giant Contend SL Disc Aluminium
model year: 2021
group set: Shimano 105 dual shift 50-34 11-34
frame height: XL=58cm
weel set: Giant CPR 2 Disc full Black
accessories: Giant Ant+ speed sensor & 2x plastic Tacx bottle holders
Bike has just had maintenance and is ready voor loads of kilometers.
I chatted wit the guy a bit. He says he has been a bike technician for 10 years. He thinks it has been used for about 2500-3500 km. He did not buy it new but bought it from the first owner. He recently did maintenance himself. He says:
– the chain has been replaced pre-emptively
– the sprockets and chainrings are in very good state
– it shifts and breaks really well
– weels are perfectly straight, spoke tensions is even everywhere
– the weels have never been replaced
– he didn't replace the brake fluid but the brakes are level and not spongy so at least okay for this season
I also asked him about the tubelessness which gemini enlightened me about and I know nothing about, to which he replied: "One of the tires already has an inner tube. I'd advice to install one in the other as well as soon as you get a flat. Tubeless was a hype for a while, but I never saw it as an advantage"
Gemini says the hype thing isn't true because all pros use tubeless nowadays, but from a technician's perspective his opinion makes sense.
So, what do you guys think? trustworthy? good deal?
by djrc_
6 Comments
Can’t see much because the resolution of the photos is bad but it seems like the bike is in good condition and the price is OK.
How tall are you? How the bike fits you is the most important part and that’s an XL frame…
Seems like a solid price for a solid bike. I’d get it
Looks like a nice deal, maybe haggle down to 600?
Re: tubeless – it’s pretty easy to make them tubeless yourself if the wheels are “Tubeless Ready”. We’re talking less than €50 worth of ingredients (valves, sealant, tape). I wouldn’t count that for or against the bike, it’s just the guy’s personal preference. I prefer tubeless myself.
I’d check Giant’s size charts and make sure that frame fits you though, very easy to find online.
Hey thats my bike! Much more commuter and recreational bike than sport road bike. I payed 1300€ new three years ago. Carbon seatpost is a bit of a pain.
XL frame at 88cm inseam might be tight, did you get a chance to test ride it yet?
Make sure you sit on it and see if it actually fits, if it’s delivery not collection then go to a bike shop and ask them for a similar sized frame and see if it’s comfortable, XL can be too big for anyone under 6’0 if not 6’2. Other than sizing, this is a perfectly reasonable price for this bike assuming nothing is wrong, 2021 105 is a good ass groupset that will last you a very long time.