XC 29er reccomendation + Strange Ebay auction??

[dave_s13]

Can anyone see a catch with this rather odd Ebay listing?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Specialized-S-Works-Epic...

Virtually sod all info re the bike and states it's £1500 buy it now but it's an auction not a buy it now listing? It's a cracking bike and seems to available here for £2.4k
http://www.leisurewheels.co.uk/products.php?plid=m...

My mate is in the market for something just like this but I'd be wary about proceeding, something just doesn't seem right despite the epic feedback (which seem predominantly for >£20 tat).

On a related note can you chaps recommend a better bike than this for the price?
http://www.drakescycles.co.uk/m1b0s356p3579/SCOTT_...

[dave_s13]

Check out the collection of high end stuff this outfit is apparently selling.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/Sporting-Goods-/888/i.ht...

I don't understand the "PRICE 1500 GBP - READ DESCRIPTION" bit?

[anonymous-user]

Seems veryodd, the seller sells mainly cheap clothes. Then has some bikes and camera equipment ALL with a buy it now of £1,500.

[JQ]

It's a hacked account. Boohoo are an online clothes shop http://www.boohoo.com/ It's like Primark or Next listing such things on their outlet site.

I suspect once you've contacted the email address listed in the advert you'll be asked to pay by Western Union or some other such irrecoverable method.

[dave_s13]

JQ said:

It's a hacked account. Boohoo are an online clothes shop http://www.boohoo.com/ It's like Primark or Next listing such things on their outlet site.

I suspect once you've contacted the email address listed in the advert you'll be asked to pay by Western Union or some other such irrecoverable method.

Yep, this is what I'm thinking.

All the pics are in random locations, some pics show signs oif the bikes being in foreign countries. The listing description is dodgy as fook.

I've sent an email off to [e-mail] anyway, just for fun. See what they reply with, if they reply at all.

[dave_s13]

Well, no suprise there, the account had been hacked, just got an email from boohoo to confirm. Too good to be true and all that!!

As to the second part of my query, can anyone offer opinion on the Scott Scale 950?

http://www.tredz.co.uk/.Scott-Scale-950-Mountain-B...


If you had up to £1400 for a hardtail XC bike where would your money go? Having real trouble sourcing something 2nd hand, Ebay/Gumtree sales just keep on falling through.

[anonymous-user]

General Ebay rule - if it looks too good to be true... other things to watch for are cut and paste spec sheets and errors between the listing and photos, only one photo is a good sign its dodgy too - dont want to attract too much attention and give the real owner a chance of fiding it!

As for 29ers, the Scott looks like a top bike on paper and a nice weight (25.5lbs) for all day rides, pretty much the only difference between it and a simlar priced Radon, which is my favourite value for money benchmark, is the fox and rockshox fork and thats mostly preference.

There is obviously the Canyon option as too but I appreaciate that some people dont like buying things without seeing them first but if the Scott is easily available its hard to see why you wouldnt...

[dave_s13]

pablo said:

General Ebay rule - if it looks too good to be true... other things to watch for are cut and paste spec sheets and errors between the listing and photos, only one photo is a good sign its dodgy too - dont want to attract too much attention and give the real owner a chance of fiding it!

As for 29ers, the Scott looks like a top bike on paper and a nice weight (25.5lbs) for all day rides, pretty much the only difference between it and a simlar priced Radon, which is my favourite value for money benchmark, is the fox and rockshox fork and thats mostly preference.

There is obviously the Canyon option as too but I appreaciate that some people dont like buying things without seeing them first but if the Scott is easily available its hard to see why you wouldnt...

Exactly my thoughts and it's useful to get a second opinion on it. It's a bike for a pal who's procrastination is of epic proportions. He's of the opinion he'll get more bike second hand...true if you can actually sodding get hold of one! in the 4 weeks since he sold his old snotter he's been loaning a pals Carbon framed Scott Scale expert...I wonder if that's why he's hanging on. Anyway....

I own a Scott Scale Elite (esentially the 2012 version of the 950). It's great, my only criticism is they are very, very stiff. But I assume almost all alloy/CF bikes are like that today.

Edited by dave_s13 on Tuesday 21st May 20:45

[anonymous-user]

dave_s13 said:

Exactly my thoughts and it's useful to get a second opinion on it. It's a bike for a pal who's procrastination is of epic proportions. He's of the opinion he'll get more bike second hand...true if you can actually sodding get hold of one! in the 4 weeks since he sold his old snotter he's been loaning a pals Carbon framed Scott Scale elite...I wonder if that's why he's hanging on. Anyway....

I own a Scott Scale Elite (esentially the 2012 version of the 950). It's great, my only criticism is they are very, very stiff. But I assume almost all alloy/CF bikes are like that today.

The whole "get more for your money second hand" theory only works if it's been well maintained. You could easily end up buying something that is on its last legs and needs a fork service or something else that turns it from being a bargain to a lemon! If it's a mtb you'd potentially need to at least budget for new seals, chain and cassette if it's been used over winter?

Frames vary, alu in principle is stiffer but cf can be easily designed and built to be stiff or flex based on the requirement. Its impossible to say they are going to be stiff simply because it's a particular frame material. Carbon bars make a huge difference on alu frames as does a carbon seat post.

[dave_s13]

pablo said:

The whole "get more for your money second hand" theory only works if it's been well maintained. You could easily end up buying something that is on its last legs and needs a fork service or something else that turns it from being a bargain to a lemon! If it's a mtb you'd potentially need to at least budget for new seals, chain and cassette if it's been used over winter?

Frames vary, alu in principle is stiffer but cf can be easily designed and built to be stiff or flex based on the requirement. Its impossible to say they are going to be stiff simply because it's a particular frame material. Carbon bars make a huge difference on alu frames as does a carbon seat post.

Interesting, thanks. Just to expand further, I find my bike shakes the teeth out of my head on a fast bumpy descent, it's gets down quick but it's a little uncomfy. Are you saying that carbon bars and a seat post might smooth things out a bit? Similarly over rough level ground it can be challenging, always quick though.

For info I have, afaik, got my shock set up with the correct sag and both pressures set to circa 130 psi with the rebound about midway.