Ebay purchase - Carbon damaged?

[Gixxerman]

I have recently bought a Trek Madone 5.2 off ebay.
I has Mavic Ksyrium SL wheels fitted and all the ultegra components changed to dura ace (with the exception of the casette). He said that the bike was about 4 years old (it has OCLV frame and external cable routing). This was described as being in good condition with a few light marks. In the whole this was pretty much true. However, the left hand chain stay has a rather large scrape on it and I am concerned that it might have damaged the carbon (see picture).

He only included one picture with the listing (http://www.ebay.co.uk /itm/130785091403?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAXT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649)

Here is my respose to the seller (before I leave final feedback)
However, I have some issues. In your description you said that there were a few small marks that could not be picked up in the picture. But there is quite an obvious paint chip / scrape on the left chain stay that I think it would have been fair to bring to attention in the description / close-up picture.
May I ask how this happened as I am a bit worried that the carbon may have been damaged.
Also, what has happened to the bar tape on the hoods (replaced by insulation tape)? I assume that the original bar tape in this area has been cut away to allow the aero bars to be fitted. Again, this, I feel should have been brought to attention in the description / pictures. Probably needs new bar tape to make a job of it to be honest.

So some questions:
1) Is the carbon damaged do you think?
2) Did I get a reasonable deal?
3) Is it a big job to change the bar tape?
4) If the frame is fine, then what is the best way to repaint the affected area?
5) Is there any way of finding exactly how old the bike is?

 

[Hacienda71]

Tap along the area with a penny piece to see if there is a noticeable change in sound around the visible damage. Not conclusive but will pick up some types of damage.
If it concerns you ask for a refund.
If damaged and you can't get a refund you could try here

 

[accountantpete]

From the pic is looks as though the metallic finish has chipped away leaving a clear coated carbon finish underneath - which you would expect in that area and a 4 year old bike.

Nothing to worry about although for the money he got the seller should have provided more pics especially of that area.

Things get dodgy when you can see bare carbon or carbon strands from a puncture type wound.

 

[cyberknight]

From the pic is looks as though the metallic finish has chipped away leaving a clear coated carbon finish underneath - which you would expect in that area and a 4 year old bike.

Nothing to worry about although for the money he got the seller should have provided more pics especially of that area.

Things get dodgy when you can see bare carbon or carbon strands from a puncture type wound.

I agree with Pete , the seller should have provided more pics and if i had bought a bike off ebay ,especialy if i had spent a good sum of money then i would have viewd the bike before making a bid on it .I can`t comment on carbon as i ride steel/ali bikes but i think pete is right .if in doubt take it to a reputable bike shop and have it checked out.

 

[black'n'yellow]

that looks ok - looks like a bit of rub from the guy's shoe while riding - no actual damage, other than superficial top coat. Brush some clear coat over it if you get a chance, but I certainly wouldn't be worrying about any structural damage, as there doesn't appear to be any. Not worth getting upset about.

 

[User6179]

If its on the outside it will just be his shoe catching it probably when he has overshoes on, my m8 does this on his bike all the time( floating cleats).

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

that only looks like the cosmetic finish for carbon fibre some manufaturers use, the 2x2 weave which most people associate with carbon fibre has minimal strength and torsional rigidity. Going by the image its nothing to really worry about imho its only an issue if its reached the unilateral fibre layup Is damaged

 

[festival]

I agree with others that it looks like only the finish has been affected, no structural damage. Many people don't realize the carbon weave you see is only the finish.
The fact you are making an issue of the bar tape suggests your knowledge is limited, with that in mind I am amazed you parted with that kind of money not knowing what you were getting! Not trying to be rude but you seem to have been lucky this time.
I see its a 52 cm frame, please tell me you are not 5'10 plus

 

[HovR]

Agreed with the others, it looks just like the metallic paint has been slowly rubbed away by a fairly non-abrasive material (i.e. shoes or overshoes) leaving the clear-coated carbon. Notice there are no big gouges or scratches in the area (at least that the picture shows) which would result from a crash or other nasty scrape.

Replacing bar tape is a 15 minute job if you know what you're doing. My LBS does it for £12 (including materials and labor) so hardly breaks the bank!

 

[Gixxerman]

Festival.
I am no expert but i am an engineer and got back into bikes when i bought a trek 7.3 FX about four years ago. The bike is the right size for me with me being 5 foot 7. I did done research prior to looking for a 5.2 so i knew what sizing i needed. I was only concerned because i have never owned a carbon bike before and reading some posts on here about damaged carbon frames had me worried.
The bar tape is actually ok by the look of it. The insulation tape was there to protect the bars when he fitted the aero bars which were not in the sale.
The seller has told me that it was fine before delivery and that it must have happened during packing / delivery. It looks like i will have to ask for a small refund due to the defect.
I based my bid on the description. The dura ace groupset in place of the standard ultegra was the big swayer for me. In hindsight, i maybe should have asked for some more detailed pictures. In general, apart from the defect I spotted, the bike is actually in quite good nick. I know this bike was about £2800 new so £1200 for a decent 4 year old bike with upgraded wheels and groupset seemed a decent deal.

 

[User6179]

Festival.
I am no expert but i am an engineer and got back into bikes when i bought a trek 7.3 FX about four years ago. The bike is the right size for me with me being 5 foot 7. I did done research prior to looking for a 5.2 so i knew what sizing i needed. I was only concerned because i have never owned a carbon bike before and reading some posts on here about damaged carbon frames had me worried.
The bar tape is actually ok by the look of it. The insulation tape was there to protect the bars when he fitted the aero bars which were not in the sale.
The seller has told me that it was fine before delivery and that it must have happened during packing / delivery. It looks like i will have to ask for a small refund due to the defect.
I based my bid on the description. The dura ace groupset in place of the standard ultegra was the big swayer for me. In hindsight, i maybe should have asked for some more detailed pictures. In general, apart from the defect I spotted, the bike is actually in quite good nick. I know this bike was about £2800 new so £1200 for a decent 4 year old bike with upgraded wheels and groupset seemed a decent deal.

If you look at the pic on ebay you can see the mark on the chainstay I think .

 

[black'n'yellow]

I know this bike was about £2800 new so £1200 for a decent 4 year old bike with upgraded wheels and groupset seemed a decent deal.

not sure about the '4 year old' bit - the frame shape looks like an 04/05 - more like 8 years old.

 

[amaferanga]

That's a 2006 model. I don't think you got a bargain at that price for such an old bike, even with the changes from standard spec.

Sounds like a crap seller though to sell a bike for £1200 and not even bother to put new bar tape on it.

 

[accountantpete]

Festival.
£1200 for a decent 4 year old bike with upgraded wheels and groupset seemed a decent deal.

It's not too bad at all.

The DA groupset will be worth £400 minimum probably above £500 if in good condition, The wheels maybe £200 - 250 if the rims are not worn, and finishing kit say £200 leaving the frame at £300.

 

[e-rider]

looks a bit older than 4 years to me, and unfortunately it appears that you paid quite a bit more than its market value IMO. Buying a carbon bike secondhand is always going to be risky due to unseen damage and not knowing the crash history of the bike. That said, the 'damage' you have pointed out doesn't look like real damage, just some paint missing. Carbon repairs are available though. For that price you could have bought a brand new Focus with full carbon frame and forks and 105 groupset, and a three year warranty!
Ebay buyer protection is heavily weighted in favour of the buyer, so you could claim your money back if you are unhappy and put together a good case that the item wasn't described accurately. You would be very likely to win the case.