Ebay purchase - Carbon damaged?

[Gixxerman]

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

Is there any way to tell for definite how old it is. The seller said it was about four years old. Can the date of manufacture be determined from the serial number?

 

[Rob3rt]

Not sure, but if you give the serial number to the manufacturer they will be able to tell you.

 

[black'n'yellow]

Is there any way to tell for definite how old it is. The seller said it was about four years old. Can the date of manufacture be determined from the serial number?

Trek UK might be able to help with the frame number - but you only have to compare a few pics on Google to see that it is older than advertised...

 

[User6179]

Is that the madone that the frame was made in america then my m8 sold one last year for £800 and it was minted .

 

[Hacienda71]

This 2005 looks similar. Shape and decalwise although not identical.

 

[Rob3rt]

Dang that's one ugly **********er!

 

[Gixxerman]

I will contact trek to get proof, but I would agree that it does look like a 2004/2005 bike.
If I had known this for certain, I would not have paid more than £800 to be honest. It is worth a bit more than others of that age given that it has all dura ace components.
I asked the guy loads of questions and he definitely said that he believed it was four years old. But he did add that it was the model after Lance "won" his 7th tour, which after some research would make it a 2005 bike. However, is it reasonable to expect that the buyer check this? I asked a direct question and got an answer of four years old.
I have contacted him regarding the age thing and I am awaiting a response.
I could be a genuine mistake on the guys part but he did say the he thought that the bike was four years old.

 

[User6179]

I will contact trek to get proof, but I would agree that it does look like a 2004/2005 bike.
If I had known this for certain, I would not have paid more than £800 to be honest. It is worth a bit more than others of that age given that it has all dura ace components.
I asked the guy loads of questions and he definitely said that he believed it was four years old. But he did add that it was the model after Lance "won" his 7th tour, which after some research would make it a 2005 bike. However, is it reasonable to expect that the buyer check this? I asked a direct question and got an answer of four years old.
I have contacted him regarding the age thing and I am awaiting a response.
I could be a genuine mistake on the guys part but he did say the he thought that the bike was four years old.

A 2005 bike comes out in late 2004 so the bike is 8 years old now , double what the guy told you so I would be asking for a refund .

GL

 

[black'n'yellow]

as above - presumably all your Q&A went through ebay messaging and you paid via paypal? The bike is not as advertised, so it needs to go back and you need a refund.

 

[Gixxerman]

as above - presumably all your Q&A went through ebay messaging and you paid via paypal? The bike is not as advertised, so it needs to go back and you need a refund.

You presume correct.

 

[black'n'yellow]

just been looking through the vendor's selling history - quite a lot of cycle-related items being sold - my guess is that they knew exactly what they were selling (or certainly should have tried harder and been clearer), so don't hold back...

 

[amaferanga]

It looks like a 2006 model to me. Go to the Trek archives and look at the models from 2004/2005 and then later. None look like your bike, but the 2006 one does:

http://www.trekbikes.com/uk/en/bikes/2006/archive/madone52

 

[02GF74]

re: wear on the stay - is it smooth or can you feel/catch the carbon fibres? If the former, then is uis minor cosmetic wear.

no idea what it is worth.

frames that have flared seat tubes do so so they ccan run very close to the rear tyre - there seems to be a huge gap between the seat tube and tyre, lemme see if I can find photo of what I mean.....