Buying a bike from Gumtree

[mr2haz]

I have been looking to buy a used road bike and have been searching on ebay but have also noticed plenty on gumtree.

What concerns me is a lot of them seam very cheap with minimal use. Is gumtree a place to avoid with shifty bikes? Any steps I should take if I decide to purchase one?

[Beyond Rational]

Just ask for a receipt for their purchase, or receipts if they've built it themselves.

[croyde]

I was looking on Gumtree for a Specialized Allez last year and there were a lot of suspiciously cheap ones, almost new.

[Gizmo!]

I'm sure there are legit bikes on Gumtree, and I'm sure there are nicked ones on EBay. But Gumtree's average seller just seems so much shadier...

What area are you in? I'm being tempted by a few of the roadies on eBay so we shouldn't bid against each other

[_g_]

If it's gumtree London, then it's going to be a nicked bike, pretty much.
At least that's my experience - ie when asked if they had an original receipt "I, err, got it from a market stall".
Now that IS possible, but I'd be willing to bet it turned up to the market stall after being stolen if that is the case - this is for reasonably expensive bikes that there's little way would legally end up on a market realistically.

Seems more legit in other areas.

[mr2haz]

I am looking for a racer with 58cm frame.

I am bordering Essex and London but I am willing to travel for the right bike.

So it would be safe to say if they have the receipt and manuals you should be safe.

[Beyond Rational]

Receipt/manuals good - apart from making enquiries with the police (which might not work) or a google for stolen bikes of the same type, I'm not sure what else you could do to be certain.

Test the seller, in person if possible, to see if you think they are lying. Talk to them about the bike, where they bought it from and where and how often they get it serviced. Ask why they are selling. See if it visually fits/suits them. If you view it in their garage, do they have the usual biking equipment around?

[croyde]

OP. I have a Spec Allez Competition that I bought for the summer but have only covered 200 miles. It's a 58 cm, cost me 1300, willing to let go for a grand with cateye computer. Let me know.

[essayer]

It's usally obvious when the advert just states whatever's written on the bike

Someone who went out and bought £1k+ of bike would probably enthuse about the little details on an advert (mention groupset, tyres etc).

Someone who nicked it probably wouldn't have a clue !

Sometimes they don't even mention the size!

[Gizmo!]

I'm sure there are a few people around who've picked up a 1k bike on C2W who chose it on colour and what the guy in the shop recommended.

But I reckon you should be able to tell the difference between those people - who probably have a nice house/flat with other nice stuff in - and thieves.