CF Fork Shudder and used Trek OCLV

I tried out a used (2003 vintage) Trek OCLV bike that is a rebuild
with lots of new components (Ultegra STI shifters, brakes. SRAM
cassette, crank, chain, etc). Friend tells me the price is too good
to be true (~ $1100), but seller insists frame is sound and never been
in an accident. I couldn't find any visible damage. Honestly it felt
damn good, and much nicer than new aluminum bikes in this price range.

Only issue is that the fork shuddered quite a bit on a hard brake.
Seller says he will redue the headset assembly and make sure things
are tight and compact.

Gut tells me that anything to good to be true is, but the seller
seemed knowledgable and didn't seem shady (e.g. lived in a nice
neighborhood...had lots of expensive toys, etc.). Offered a complete
bike fit on a trainer and to go on a 5-10 mile ride with me.

What causes fork shudder?

Any red flags in buying a used carbon bike?

In article
,
wrote:

I tried out a used (2003 vintage) Trek OCLV bike that is a rebuild
with lots of new components (Ultegra STI shifters, brakes. SRAM
cassette, crank, chain, etc). Friend tells me the price is too good
to be true (~ $1100), but seller insists frame is sound and never been
in an accident. I couldn't find any visible damage. Honestly it felt
damn good, and much nicer than new aluminum bikes in this price range.

$1100 for a 2003 bike with Ultegra doesn't sound dangerously cheap.

Only issue is that the fork shuddered quite a bit on a hard brake.
Seller says he will redue the headset assembly and make sure things
are tight and compact.

Gut tells me that anything to good to be true is, but the seller
seemed knowledgable and didn't seem shady (e.g. lived in a nice
neighborhood...had lots of expensive toys, etc.). Offered a complete
bike fit on a trainer and to go on a 5-10 mile ride with me.

What causes fork shudder?

If it goes away after he redoes the headset, then it was a loose
headset. Could also be the brakes (loose, crappy, other...).

But there's a small chance it's a broken frame or fork.

Personally, I think the dangers of buying used carbon bikes are
overrated, but I also won't be the one riding this bike.

--
Ryan Cousineau http://www.wiredcola.com/
"In other newsgroups, they killfile trolls."
"In rec.bicycles.racing, we coach them."

wrote:
I tried out a used (2003 vintage) Trek OCLV bike that is a rebuild
with lots of new components (Ultegra STI shifters, brakes. SRAM
cassette, crank, chain, etc). Friend tells me the price is too good
to be true (~ $1100), but seller insists frame is sound and never been
in an accident. I couldn't find any visible damage. Honestly it felt
damn good, and much nicer than new aluminum bikes in this price range.

Only issue is that the fork shuddered quite a bit on a hard brake.
Seller says he will redue the headset assembly and make sure things
are tight and compact.

Gut tells me that anything to good to be true is, but the seller
seemed knowledgable and didn't seem shady (e.g. lived in a nice
neighborhood...had lots of expensive toys, etc.). Offered a complete
bike fit on a trainer and to go on a 5-10 mile ride with me.

What causes fork shudder?

probably something trivial like headset or brakes. broken forks and
frames don't cause it.




Any red flags in buying a used carbon bike?

crash history. take the wheels out and do a squeeze test on front fork
and rear triangle. any cracking or creaking noises, stay away.
otherwise, chances are, if you see no problems and you hear none, there
are none.

wrote in message
...
I tried out a used (2003 vintage) Trek OCLV bike that is a rebuild
with lots of new components (Ultegra STI shifters, brakes. SRAM
cassette, crank, chain, etc). Friend tells me the price is too good
to be true (~ $1100), but seller insists frame is sound and never been
in an accident. I couldn't find any visible damage. Honestly it felt
damn good, and much nicer than new aluminum bikes in this price range.

Only issue is that the fork shuddered quite a bit on a hard brake.
Seller says he will redue the headset assembly and make sure things
are tight and compact.

Gut tells me that anything to good to be true is, but the seller
seemed knowledgable and didn't seem shady (e.g. lived in a nice
neighborhood...had lots of expensive toys, etc.). Offered a complete
bike fit on a trainer and to go on a 5-10 mile ride with me.

What causes fork shudder?

Any red flags in buying a used carbon bike?




May be something as simple as the front brake pads not being toed in
properly. If the seller is also the rebuilder / mechanic for the bike and
she has not checked this or does not know of this common cause of shuddering
with braking, then be cautious about the rest of the rebuild / wrenching on
the bike. On the other hand, most problems with incorrect assembly are
easily fixed without much time, effort, or money.

BobT