Context: I am a fairly casual enthusiast who rides when then weather is nice, who has learned a little on working on bikes.
I was given a few bikes in exchange for tuning up a couple bikes for a family friend. This Trek 5500 OCLV Carbon 120 with a USPS and Volkswagen livery is one of the gifted ones. I was told that the family friend: 1. Used to ride with and be sponsored by a team. 2. Crashed this bike (see the aerobars and frame). 3. The bike was repaired by the family friend's father (see the frame near the head tube.) And 4. The bike has been an indoor trainer and collecting dust since for a while now.
The tires held air and I went for a cautious ride around the neighborhood. The bike and its components seem to work.
I believe the frame is toast, but I was wondering what the best course of action might be. The wheelset (Shimano WH-7700) seems to be worth selling because (I think) they were put on after the crash and are 99% true a few scrapes at worst.
I am not very knowledgeable about groupsets but I see Shimano Ultegra printed on them.
What would the best course of action be? Sell it as a whole? Part it out? Keep it because it's cool?
Apologies for any stupid questions, the nicest bike I've worked on is my own used 2013 Scott Speedster.
Thank you!
by King_Sparky_
5 Comments
This is a tricky one. I agree with your assessment that the frame looks toast.
Unfortunately, I think you’ll also have a very difficult time selling the parts. Demand for old mechanical components is extremely low right now.
As sad as it is, I think you’ve basically got a wall hanger here.
Clean it up as best you can and hang it on the wall.
That frames done for and the parts are old.
The head tube area definitely doesn’t look great, but a carbon expert might be able to tell you more. You could part it out for a couple hundred bucks. I’m not sure if the juice is worth the squeeze. There might be someone interested in the frame as a decor item if it is indeed fucked.
Gross there’s EPO all over it
https://preview.redd.it/zhizdc1grzde1.png?width=1343&format=png&auto=webp&s=1d71aac087e55bf4b74ad36ec4363baa1876a74b
You need one of my usps bento boxes?