Hi! I’m an intern in a new city for the summer and looking for a bike to get around. I own a Giant AR3 Contend which I like well enough, but thinking about trying a proper road bike for this new city. Found this SL6 listed on FB marketplace for $600 but I’ll need to drive about 1.5 to check it out.
Questions I have:
1) is this a good value buy?
2) what issue should I look out for when testing a used bike?
3) how dumb is it to go Carbon in an urban city??
— Will use it for workouts on weekends, but hopefully daily commute and leisure travel too. Commute days will have indoor parking, but leisure is less predictable.
Thanks!
FB listing:
“Trek Emonda SL6 with carbon fiber frame
Bought brand new about 6 years ago.
Very well taken care of with very few miles.
I just don't use it as often as I planned to.
Comes with tire pump
I also have a pair of clip in shoes to go with the bike if wanted. Size 9. Would take $50 for the shoes”
by NokiaFlip19
4 Comments
I don’t have a great answer for ya, but do have some things to consider.
Watch GCN video on buying used bike, they’ve got a good checklist of how to check non obvious things. If it shifts well, brakes well, can ride without hands (test to make sure no bent frame but w/ carbon not a concern prolly) and passes video checklist it’s in good shape.
IMO the contend is the ideal bike for the use you described; daily riding, commuting , a bit of fitness riding. Assuming you have a modernish one with disc brakes, 35mm tires, and 2×9-10 ish groupset.
If you want to get more seriously into road riding , like multiple workouts a week this looks like a good bike to do that. (Idk pricing on this kind of bike). But IMO the contend is a better daily.
$4,000 bike for $600 sounds good to me. Some people will claim anything with rim brakes is worthless, but those people are silly. As far as locking it up in the city? Buy a $300 lock.
Looks like an ok deal if the bike fits you (non standard seat post, so check on what it would take to raise/lower the seat). You may be able to talk them down on price, used bikes are notoriously difficult to sell for what they’re “worth”. I have an even older Specialized Roubaix and it still rides great, currently on 28mm tires, wish I gone for 30’s.
If your city is anything like some places where I’ve lived (New York, Philly, Boston) you’ll be a lot happier commuting if you can fit bigger tires. Check if there’s clearance for 30 mm tires (or 32 if possible). That would add some $$, but more comfort.
Leaving any bike worth stealing on the street is always a risk, really depends on where you are.
Great bike