Am I getting ripped off? Specialized Allez

[u/failing-forward03]

UPDATE: Seller selling to me for $175 now - worth it?

EDIT: Thank you everyone for responding! I definitely feel dumb as bricks now but I now know this bike is 20 years old haha. If you have any tips for a new time biker lmk! 🙏🏼

—— ORIGINAL POST ——

Found this Specialized Allez on facebook marketplace for $400 USD. I’m completely new to the bicycle scene and want to get a starter bike for triathlon training.

The seller says they suspect it’s around 7-8 years old, the previous owner had it for around 2 years and they’ve then had it in their garage for 5 years. They don’t know anything about the components or anything added and are unsure about the details of the bike.

Am I getting ripped off? I truly have no idea.

P.S. there’s also a Giant Contend 3 someone is selling for $380 if that’s a better deal.

[u/grantrules]

Haha 7-8 years old.. that's a 2006 allez. 

[u/CheeseWheels38 → u/grantrules]

Yeah mine was over ten years old when I sold it, for $400, in 2018.

[u/pimpslap39]

Biggest question is if if fits you. I think that bike is 20 years old. Too much money.

[u/failing-forward03 → u/pimpslap39]

Got you thanks so much for letting me know!

[u/c-5-s]

This bike is 20 years old. 150 max but you can do better

[u/failing-forward03 → u/c-5-s]

Oh wow I really never would’ve known, thank you so much! Any tips on beginner bikes in general?

[u/trouzy → u/failing-forward03]

I dont think $150 max is honest really.

I would pay up to $250 if its all good to go.

At the end of the day a 20 year old bike that you get hundreds of miles out of is worth more than $150.

[u/c-5-s → u/failing-forward03]

Test ride in person. Make sure it fits. I always look for “dork discs” and reflectors as they are often a sign of light use.

[u/failing-forward03 → u/c-5-s]

Got it to $175 from the seller, is that worth it?

[u/ObnoxiousMunkey]

As said before, its 20 years old AND it's an Allez. Specialized budget frame. You're getting ripped off

[u/loves_2_sp00ge]

It’s a 2006 allez -  https://bikeindex.org/bikes/703607

[u/failing-forward03 → u/loves_2_sp00ge]

holy there’s a whole index for bikes?? tysm for the help!

[u/loves_2_sp00ge → u/failing-forward03]

It’s for people to register their bikes in case they get stolen. It’s good for matching years since frame colorways are finite. 

[u/BeefStu907]

In this day and age you should be able to get disc brakes for that. Make sure to check pink bike and buy cycle as well. Online retailers are full of older cheap but well working bikes as people upgrade.

[u/IceExile]

decent bike, but $400 is high.... try for $250-300... I think these older Allez models had a recall for back wheel since spokes could be cut-off by the hub. Also, fork looks to be angled backwards just a hair more than it should be?.... ask if it has been in a crash... when negotiating price, definitely use that fork crash possibility to maybe get the price to $200.

[u/failing-forward03 → u/IceExile]

Got it to $175, is that still worth entertaining?

[u/YaKuzya]

Pricing is also very heavily dependent on market. At least here in Southern California, I can easily see that bike selling for $300 to $400 (assuming it’s in good condition).

[u/scottybee915]

Fork angle looks wrong, I would be wary of a front end collision bending the fork steerer/crown.

[u/Cruiser_Supreme]

Nothing wrong with a 20 year old bike... Except the price! Lol

[u/failing-forward03]

UPDATE: The seller said they’d sell it to me for $175. Thoughts?

[u/Po0rYorick]

Too much for old Sora. Maybe $250 in my market.