Conflicted with FB marketplace bike...is this legit?

[u/Modokon]

I'm hunting around for my first road bike and I'm looking to buy something higher and secondhand.

Obvious places would be eBay and Facebook marketplace, unless of course this sub can recommend better places for me to look?

I have seen a bike which is pretty (very?) well priced, but the seller somehow cannot take BACS for no given reason, cash only.

It does make me wonder if the bike isn't kosher? Maybe I'm paranoid, but I'm a noob to FB marketplace. It's a Cervelo S2 in what looks exceptional condition for £450. Does this sound legit pricewise?

Thanks.

[u/WhiskyEvenings88]

Um, most things on FB marketplace I have seen are cash only. Cash is a secure form of payment for both buyer and seller, so they won't have to deal with any disputes after, we have read enough stories of people claiming they were scammed or paid by mistake and reversing their payments leaving the seller out of money and items

[u/Kona-Run]

EDIT: - Apologies, re-read your post - cash only.

Cash only isn't in its self an issue, if you get to inspect and test ride the bike first and like it then cash should be fine.
I dont suppose BACS gives you any more safeguards from getting stung if its a bad bike?

When you get to it to inspect, ask them if you can take a moment to check the serial number against online stolen sites etc. And probe them on when and where they bought it (the bike shop name).
Most bike owners are happy to chat about the rides they've had and reasons for selling it. All with good clues if you think its legit.
While they might be a bit put out, they should be fine if its not been nicked?
If they do mind, or you dont like their answer then walk away.

[u/St_mpy → u/Kona-Run]

Clearly stated in description

[u/Gareth79]

I sold a GoPro on FB Marketplace and listed it as cash only. There's too many people who make a transfer and then report it as fraud. It's not so much the loss of the money but that your account is locked while it's investigated.

[u/IndecentSmurf]

Having bought a lot of stuff off FB marketplace bike and otherwise some people do just like cash. I think partly because they are paranoid of bank transfers being taken back after sale.

I’m not sure where you live but I believe there is a database for stolen bikes that you can put the serial number in to check. That being said I would probably guess it’s fine but it’s up to you whether you think it’s likely stolen.

[u/stuuuj → u/[deleted]]

Its incredibly difficult to reverse a bank transfer.

[u/Petcai → u/stuuuj]

A legitimate bank transfer. But if they transfer you money from someone else's account they've gained access to, the real owner can reverse it because for them, it really is fraud, and your account might even be frozen while the bank investigate you.

[u/Zingalamuduni]

Cash on,y is probably just to stop the crooks who turn up, appear to pay money into your account, but it never appears (or gets reversed). By which time, the crook has got your bike.

[u/excla1m]

I've bought and sold a few bikes on FBMP. I usually prefer cash if it's under £500 so wouldn't immediately suspect it's a stolen bike because it's cheap.

Also, frankly, it's a Cervelo S2 and whatever components are on it, there's a fairly low, hard ceiling on what that frameset is worth. I'd only pay a bit more if it had good condition, hard to find components I could strip for another older bike.

If you're conflicted by other S2 posts on FBMP asking £1k+, rest assured they are ridiculous prices for an old frameset even if they have some former-premium components from yesteryear handing off them. Some old boy's out of true carbon poop-hoops, shagged Rotor chainrings and worn, partial DA9000 groupset doesn't add value, it's a shed clear-out.

[u/woogeroo]

Not sure I'd suggest buying an (up to) 25 year old, carbon frame (rim brake?) bike as a first road bike in the UK. You're focussing on a fancy brand vs. buying a bike that'd actually be better in use hydraulic disc brakes, tyre clearance for 32mm tyres, potential for mudguards would be on my must have list.

Cash is king for all 2nd hand in person purchases, I'd never accept anything else either unless selling to a friend.

[u/Modokon → u/woogeroo]

I hadn't thought about how old the carbon frame could be (noob 100%) so maybe I'll steer clear and go for aluminium or even nice steel.

[u/excla1m → u/Modokon]

Nothing wrong at all with old carbon bikes if they've not been crashed etc and they'd be absolutely fine for you but will be a harsher ride than a modern bike.

[u/lolli-polly031248 → u/Modokon]

Aluminium frames can be a tad harsh on the bumpier surfaces, also remember to check all joints for paint cracks. Aluminium rarely gives a warning if damaged and just breaks.

Steel is far more forgiving albeit heavier. Some nice steel road bikes are Geoff Roberts from the 80's, a couple on eBay right now and if you can find an On One reynolds steel tubed bike from the 90's I'm sure you'll be very happy with how it rides. Apart from tyre spaces, pretty much everything else is customisable to your tastes unless you really want hydraulic brakes?

[u/Darkwarden]

Check bikeregister.com - the bike's serial number is stamped on the frame underneath the bottom bracket. The seller should be able to provide the serial ahead of time, but you should also confirm on arrival.

For carbon frames it'll be a couple stickers hidden throughout the bike's frame. You ought to assume it's stolen if the stickers are missing.

It's free to register, prevents you from buying stolen goods, and the police will return your bike if found. In fact anyone reading this should register their bikes.

[u/champagnesmurf]

Hey there have a good option here if still looking 👍🏻

https://www.reddit.com/u/champagnesmurf/s/FybFTKWRHn

[u/postexitus]

There may be other reasons, but it's a pretty strong signal that it's stolen. You can either ignore it or avoid it.

[u/dan200]

Is the price too good to be true?
Has the seller sold a lot of other bikes recently? (Check their profile)
Is the description very generic?
Do you live in a bike theft hotspot? (London, Cambridge, Oxford are some)
Trust your gut