Is this a good buy on ebay? please only educated answers. Thank you very much!!!?

Question

here is a link to the bike i am looking at, please let me know if this is a good buy and what the limit bid should be given your knowledge.

http://cgi.ebay.com/TREK-Fuel-90-full-suspension-mountain-bike-no-reserve_W0QQitemZ270243664150QQihZ017QQcategoryZ98083QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

i truly appreciate your help in this matter.

Answer 1

id say its alright, it looks in good condition, and an alright price too

Answer 2

The current price of 480 is the absolute highest this bike could be worth.....I'd suggest you keep looking.   Consider a hardtail bike instead of the full suspension to get more bike for your buck.

Answer 3

Rust is a four letter word, and should be avoided at all costs. Add that to cracked tires and you get a bike that has'nt been taken care of. I keep my bikes in the living-room.

  I'd say NOT a good buy. The bike is also over four years old. How long has it been sitting ? I'd pass.

Answer 4

The price right now is pretty fair, given the near-new condition of the bike (unless he rode it hard during the last couple years).  3 year old tires are expected to have those hairline checks in the rubber....no big deal.  A little rust on bolt heads is ok, too, as long as it's not severe and the bike wasn't subjected to too much rain or salt spray.  

The Fuel 90 retailed for about $900 new back then if I remember right, and the design isn't the greatest to begin with.  If you could get it for less than $500, it's probably worth it for what it is.

I've owned 3 different Fuel frames (an '04 95, '05 carbon 110, and '06 EX9) and none of them are stellar.   Even with a platform rear shock (which the one you're looking at doesn't have) they're still a little bouncy unless you make them so stiff that you negate any plush effects.  Fuels are really nice for fast singletrack that doesn't have too many rocky sections or downhill chatter.....very nimble ride, too.  It's definitely not a bad bike at all, but you can certainly get a better one if you spend just a little more money and keep your eye on the used market.

If you get a Fuel sometime, I'd definitely get an '07 or '08 model....they really improved them dramatically (the '08 is totally different and is the one to choose).  It took them long enough, but they finally nailed down a great bike for '08.

Hope this helps you out...good luck!   :o)

Answer 5

The bid is currently $480. Thats actually more than I would pay for a 2004 mountain bike of that grade.

I suggest that you pass on it.