Need some help please. Shoud I buy this bike?

[NewRider]

Hi everyone,

I have been looking for my first city commuting bike and have beek looking for a cheap Carrera Gryphon Disc Spec and seem to have found one on ebay. The only problem is the guy has made some changes to the bike and removed some parts. I'm not too sure if he has made the bike better or worse!

The bike can be found here

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330351810089&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:GB:1123

What do you guys think? Has the changes he's made added value to the bike?

Thank you all.

 

[Bristol Dave]

It's difficult to say. If it were me I would not buy it simply because I would want to take it to a LBS for a full service and that would push the price up to around that of a new bike. He has fiddled with quite a lot of essential bits and I would be cautious.

Since it's local pick up I assume you are nearby. Why not contact him and ask if you can have a look at it first. Offer to pay cash and save the Paypal fees etc.

BD

 

[redjedi]

If you want to put the front mech back on, you're going to need a cable and housing. I can't see if there's a shifter for the front mech from those pics, so you may need to buy one of those as well.

And as Lee says, why disconnect the front brake.

I would be very careful buying that bike. Take it for a test ride first, with the front brake on and working.

 

[Yellow Fang]

Looks quite good, but also a bit weird. Carrera Gryphons are quite good bikes, but why buy one, spend loads of money upgrading bits like the carbon handlebars, take off other bits like the brake caliper and the front mech, then try and sell it. I can't see either front or rear gear shifters. Possibly still worth it.

 

[peanut]

Depends, only the carbon bar and only if that is any good. Really wouldn't be bothered with a carbon seatpost and seat. WTF though with the front mech? It's like he is selling it as an additional extra when it came with the bike in the first place.

edit: You have to ask yourself why he took the front brake off as well....

sounds to me like he converted it to a fixie for a while He's obviously looked after it and spent quite a bit of money on it so i would say provided the missing parts were refitted and working it should be a bargain.