Seems like the bike could have been involved in a fall.
(I asked the seller about it and she said she was not sure as it was her ex-husband’s bike that he said she could keep/sell.)
Suspicious_Cress_126 on
Looks pretty superficial to me. Bikes are designed to get used, and sometimes they fall over, get crashed, or get scratched by brushing against something, being loaded into a car boot, and chain drops. Some minor damage is almost guaranteed on a used bike.
I wouldn’t buy a bike with structural damage or that was generally in poor condition. Otherwise it comes down to price and whether it’s good value.
A few years old, minor wear and tear, and 40% cheaper than new? I’d buy it.
A few years old, knocked around, poorly maintained, and only a few hundred cheaper than a new bike? I’d pass.
cloud93x on
Is it a carbon fork? It’s very difficult to tell from the photos cuz it’s blurry but those LOOK like superficial scratches to me. They looks like the kind of scratches that could have resulted from the bike falling over or being dropped rather than from a crash. If that’s the case, it’s wouldn’t prevent me from buying the bike, but it would be a part of the overall picture with respect to the bike’s condition that I would use to negotiate a fair price.
kyocerahydro on
Bike looks dinged but not crashed
copperhead39 on
Looks ok to me
Hotheaded_Temp on
It may be from just tipping over. Looks superficial. Usually in a major crash there will be a lot more scratches.
You could always take it to a carbon fiber repair place to have it checked out.
Winter5port5 on
Its the kind of scratch that happens the day after you buy it.
Looks totally superficial, would buy if it fits and price it right
Sensei19600 on
We have a 2016 Synapse that my wife rides a lot. It has taken at least 3 significant crashes,one which left marks on the fork like OP’s picture. Still riding it, about 100 miles a week. LBS checked it out recently, gave it a good report.
If you get a better look at it, like in-person and not just more photos, take the wheel off, and “flex” the fork. If you see no movement at the surface,or can’t hear any crackling sounds, it’s likely still intact. Then take it to the LBS and have them check it. Worst case is you need a new fork, so if the price is right,you could be dollars ahead. The Synapse is a great frame; wife doesn’t wanna replace it.
Your story sounds a little bit like the Corvette that was advertised for five dollars. When the guy goes and checks it out, it’s in pristine condition has very few miles on it. He can find no issues at all. He asks the lady who’s selling it why it’s only five dollars and she says, “ my husband left me and told me to sell the car and send him the money.“ More of an urban legend, but I wonder if this bike fits that same profile.
VisibleSkin4103 on
Carbon needs to be x-rayed. You don’t want to end up like the Titan
computerworlds on
Update; as it turns out this one was a no go, after I looked at it in person, I noticed that some of the bolts and stuff had signs and rust on them and overall condition of the bike looks like it had been stored outside and pretty poor shape, so I passed.
10 Comments
Seems like the bike could have been involved in a fall.
(I asked the seller about it and she said she was not sure as it was her ex-husband’s bike that he said she could keep/sell.)
Looks pretty superficial to me. Bikes are designed to get used, and sometimes they fall over, get crashed, or get scratched by brushing against something, being loaded into a car boot, and chain drops. Some minor damage is almost guaranteed on a used bike.
I wouldn’t buy a bike with structural damage or that was generally in poor condition. Otherwise it comes down to price and whether it’s good value.
A few years old, minor wear and tear, and 40% cheaper than new? I’d buy it.
A few years old, knocked around, poorly maintained, and only a few hundred cheaper than a new bike? I’d pass.
Is it a carbon fork? It’s very difficult to tell from the photos cuz it’s blurry but those LOOK like superficial scratches to me. They looks like the kind of scratches that could have resulted from the bike falling over or being dropped rather than from a crash. If that’s the case, it’s wouldn’t prevent me from buying the bike, but it would be a part of the overall picture with respect to the bike’s condition that I would use to negotiate a fair price.
Bike looks dinged but not crashed
Looks ok to me
It may be from just tipping over. Looks superficial. Usually in a major crash there will be a lot more scratches.
You could always take it to a carbon fiber repair place to have it checked out.
Its the kind of scratch that happens the day after you buy it.
Looks totally superficial, would buy if it fits and price it right
We have a 2016 Synapse that my wife rides a lot. It has taken at least 3 significant crashes,one which left marks on the fork like OP’s picture. Still riding it, about 100 miles a week. LBS checked it out recently, gave it a good report.
If you get a better look at it, like in-person and not just more photos, take the wheel off, and “flex” the fork. If you see no movement at the surface,or can’t hear any crackling sounds, it’s likely still intact. Then take it to the LBS and have them check it. Worst case is you need a new fork, so if the price is right,you could be dollars ahead. The Synapse is a great frame; wife doesn’t wanna replace it.
Your story sounds a little bit like the Corvette that was advertised for five dollars. When the guy goes and checks it out, it’s in pristine condition has very few miles on it. He can find no issues at all. He asks the lady who’s selling it why it’s only five dollars and she says, “ my husband left me and told me to sell the car and send him the money.“ More of an urban legend, but I wonder if this bike fits that same profile.
Carbon needs to be x-rayed. You don’t want to end up like the Titan
Update; as it turns out this one was a no go, after I looked at it in person, I noticed that some of the bolts and stuff had signs and rust on them and overall condition of the bike looks like it had been stored outside and pretty poor shape, so I passed.