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HELP! CHAIN SUCK = FRAME DAMAGE

climbhard00climbhard00
in General Training Discussions

Hi all; So I bought a 2012 Felt B12 off eBay for $1,400! Thought I was getting a killer deal as the seller claimed the bike was in like new condition, only ridden 500miles and in great shape.

TO my surprise, when I received it, it was like opening Pandora's Box. The bike was packaged well and with every bubble wrap removal, it seemed to reveal more. The bike was clearly not ridden recently, lots of grime/dirty (which isn't the end of the world), but see the photos here! My main concern is the chainsuck damage on the chainstay. I took it to 5 different folks yesterday (two LBS, 1 carbon repair man, and two seasoned riders) and got every end of the spectrum of an opinion from "it's trashed/worthless" to it's totally fine. It doesn't feel soft to the touch. I haven't removed the crank yet (as I'm waiting to see what the seller says on the eBay case I've opened). I'm trying to determine if I should just send it back, or get this fixed. See also the other two small nicks I was not informed about.

Thoughts?

  

 

Comments

  • Dino SartiDino Sarti
    $1400 sounds like a steal. If it bothers you fix it. If is rides well, ride until it BECOMES a problem and then fix it.

    FYI - I fixed a $6k Colonago frame with Calfee composites for only $300. I snapped the top tube in a crash. The thing came back from them totally mint, with a 10 year warranty. The fix only added a few grams to the total weight of the frame it is now probably the best tube on the bike.


    Here is the before:



     

     

    image


    And totally fixed: (I saved $100 by not having them match the graphics paint. I told them to go matte black because I plan a custom paint job some day in white and green)



  • climbhard00climbhard00
    Thx for sharing the photos and good experience! My LBS is seeing what kind of a deal he can get on a new or year old model B12, so that might be the deciding factor. The carbon guy said the fix on the chain stay will cost $350
  • Coach RichCoach Rich

    I had that exactly kinda/level of damage to my Calfee. Rode it like that for quite a while before sending it to Calfee to have it fixed and depainted/nuded. 

    I think you're fine by $350 would by piece of mind. 

  • John WithrowJohn Withrow
    The frame is "probably" fine to ride as-is. BUT... Can you drop the eBay listing in here? Did the guy have good feedback. If it wasn't disclosed, then simply send it back and find a different one. there are a ton of bikes out there, may as well get one that is perfect. And the Seller should pay for return shipping. if he already has good feedback he will do that to not risk his rating. $1,400 for that bike sounds good, but not "off-market". here's a similar bike that traded in that context recently: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Felt-B12-Time-Trial-bike-2012-/111206753845?pt=US_Bicycles_Frames&hash=item19e4706635&nma=true&si=1m5XOt3ONtubw8jt4xtOTTfipVg%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

    I have bought more than a dozen bikes on eBay in the past 2 yrs and have almost always gotten EXACTLY what was described. That looks like a pretty serious blemish to have not disclosed, so if it were me, I'd send it back and find a different one. OR, ask the seller to pay for Carbon repair authorized by your LBS. You probably don't need the repair, but it will give you piece of mind if you keep the bike and it might be cheaper and/or easier for the seller than him paying for return shipping, then re-listing/repackaging/re-shipping to the next buyer. Not to mention, he'll have to disclose that minor damage which "might" lower the sale price on the re-offer.
  • Dino SartiDino Sarti
    John makes great points. I didn't consider the whole "I bought this bike and now I have this problem angle". I assumed the bike was purchased farther below market...
  • climbhard00climbhard00

    Thanks everyone for the insights. I ended up sending the B12 back and spent the extra to get a 2012 DA3 from 'The Pro's Closet' on eBay. Was able to call the shop and talk to the guys about the bike. Should be here this week.

     

    As info, on the other, the seller still maintained that it wasn't sent like that, but eBay is forcing the refund! Nightmare!

  • John WithrowJohn Withrow
    glad it worked out and sounds like you ended up with a great bike. Add pictures to the Bike Porn thread when she arrives and you get her all dressed up!
  • rwsmith96rwsmith96

    Hey guys...so glad for this thread.  I bought a Cervelo S5 off of Craiglist (a pretty sweet deal but not cheap by any means) but my LBS found a tiny hairline crack on the chain stay. They told me it's unrideable.  

    Now, instead of hiding my shame at getting duped by CL, I can just get in touch with Calfee and get it fixed.

  • Paul HoughPaul Hough
    Hard to tell without it being right in front of my face, but from the photo it just looks like bad cosmetic damage and nothing structural.
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