To Specialized from me:
One easy question I hope you can answer, the decals on your frames are stuck on and then lauqered over am I right in saying? As the frame in question looks like they are painted or stenciled on and also the black triangle sticker normally on the downtube I believe is supposed to be metal am I right in saying? As the one on this frame is also not a sticker.
Response from specialized:
We don't use lacquer on our frames. It is an acrylic enamel paint that is designed to be used as an extra UV and chip protection layer. It is also used to protect the decals. We have used different styles of decals throughout the years, where some are thicker in certain years, and others seem to be as thin as paint. They are always under the clear coat save the newest design of Hardrocks that we offer which have a removable sticker option for a more low profile look. The logo decals are not removable, but some of the other stickers. If that black triangle is a sticker on top of the clear coat, then it is removable. Like Bob was saying, there is nothing that looks out of normal with this frame from the Ebay photos that you provided, BUT as it was bought off Ebay we cannot guarantee anything as it was not bought from an authorized source. We haven't had reports of that year model being counterfeit, so I really wouldn't worry about it. It looks real from where we can see.
Mike Sohm
USA Customer Service Rep
SPECIALIZED BICYCLE COMPONENTS
1475 South 5070 West Ste. A
Salt Lake City, Utah 84104
Phone: 800-722-4423 ext. 7740
Fax: 877-672-7237
store_customerservice@specialized.com
www.specialized.com