UKH

A friend is selling his Wilier Escape Xenon bike. Its unchanged from shop bought so nothing fancy. He bought it secondhand 2 years ago (didn't tell me what he paid) and it hasn't been used much since he had it. looks in nice condition.

I know nothing about bikes but fancy starting out with an entry level secondhand road bike. This seems to fit the bill and fits me nicely.

My question is what is it worth? Done some research and I think it was £799 new back in 2011, and I am sure this bike is 7 years old.

https://road.cc/content/review/29926-wilier-escape-xenon

He thinks it is worth £300. I have found an identical one on an auction site for £160. It does look a bit more scuffed though. 

Would appreciate any guidance on what would be a sensible price for this bike from any of the bike aficiandos on here. I'm thinking its closer to £200 but really only have that fleabay one for yardstick...thx

Bikes are like cars, they lose half there value when you take them out of the shop. A 2011 bike that cost £799, it will be worth about £100. If it had never been used it might be worth £200.

Spec looks reasonable. 

Have you ridden it? Does it feel 'good' to ride(may have to test some others to compare tho)

If you are happy then I reckon around 250 is fair.

I sold a 2007 specialised for around 300 a few yrs back in a similar situation . 

Yes I have ridden it, seemed to fit nicely. No funny sounds, gears changed as they should. I just don't know what its worth. In my mind £300 seemed steep. 

Imo

£200 would be a good price for you. 

£250 would be a good price for them

thx, a consensus slowly building.... In my mind low £200's seems reasonable,

The RRP is a bit over the odds as you are paying for the Willier name and (bottom of the range) Campag groupset. Similar specced bike from Decathlon is around £500. That said, it is a nice looking bike and I am sure it will do the job nicely!

If it hasn't been hammered (by previous owner your pal bought from) £250 seems reasonable. 

He's likely to get similar from eBay, but would be doing well to get north of £300.

If you get the bug (you will), this will make for a cracking winter bike when you soon upgrade

This is the mark....£200-£250!  Decent bike for that money but the used road bike prices are low as lots around...

Thx for the replies so far everyone, very useful. Last question...

Would this bike at £225/£250 be a more sensible option for a beginner than buying a new bike on the cycle to work scheme from Evans (my only choice) with similar spec. Obviously that would cost more money (i'm thinking after discount approx £500), but would I notice much difference with a brand new bike? I'm thinking not.

What state are the chain, chain ring, cassette in ? Good price really depends on how much maintainable is likely to be needed in the near future. Even so over 200 is expensive for a bike of that spec and age.

What's most important is whether it actually fits you properly.  Do you know how to check that yourself?

I bought a friend's hardtail MTB ten years ago.  I offered 100. He wouldn't accept more than 50, so we split the difference.  That bike got me back into roadbiking and then onwards into lightweight bike touring. I'm very grateful for that.

I would say, just go and buy your mate's bike off him.  It helps oil the wheels of relationships and may be a gateway to something new.  The price is not that important, so long as if fits.

PS.  I've got a 2009 Wilier Triestina.  It's been a good companion. 200km audaxes to a solo trip across N Italy

It looks like a decent starter bike. Reviews say that the original Rigida tyres are garbage so just treating it to some decent tyres will improve it no end; for example cotton-wall Vittoria or Veloflex Open Corsas with latex inners, will give a lovely ride and amazing grip in wet or dry weather.

Go and try one! Most bike shops will let you at least take a bike for a quick spin around the block. No-one on here can tell you what it will feel like to you. 

No, there will not be much difference between this bike and a newone from of simmilar spec. As others have said, it depends on the wear of the tyres, chain and chainset. If these all need replacing you are looking at upwards of £100. Does it still have the original tyres? - if so that is a good sign that it has had little use.

Evans are one of the few companies who allow you to buy sale bikes in the cycle to work scheme without an uplift in price. The 2018 bikes will begin yo be discounted towards the end of August as they make way for the new bikes. So if buying new might be worth holding on a bit.

Check the condition of the rims to see how worn they are.  If they are smooth and even, then that would be consistent with it not having been ridden much; heavily grooved and worn would suggest the opposite.  Chains and cassettes wear, but are not that expensive and if the wheels are good, chances are that they will be too.  You would have to spend at least £100 to put new wheels on it .

Group set looked very clean. Tyres are not original, are winter tyres, he said a little bit more rolling resistance than summer tyres. Continental gatorskin I think?

So mate is a very keen cyclist who builds and services bikes locally (not a shop, just a side business in his barn, hes fully qualified) so really does know his onions...BUT he is definitely not the type to do "mates rates" unfortunately for me and has always driven hard bargains much to the chagrin of other friends. It's just his nature around money. Having said that, this bike has been looked after and fully serviced by him and was actually being used by his wife (who barely used it). If I go for it,  I am just going to tell him what I am willing to pay and let him make a decision. Does sound like I cannot go far wrong sub £250 ....this thread has been really useful. Thx all!!

Gatorskins are excellent tires - good compromise between weight/performance/puncture-resistance.

Good luck in the haggling!

Couple of years ago I sold my mate my old Cannondale (2009 Tiagra Synapse) for £150. He spend a bit on a service, brake pads, chain and cassette. It was a fair price for a bike that was sound, with moderate use (he had put 500 miles on it himself before he bought it). The bike had a RRP of £875 new.