To buy or not to buy?

[roguedog]

Hey folks,

Found a bike that's already to be set up as a commuter. Has racks, fenders, pedals.. only thing missing is lights.

Went to go check it out tonight.. and it has a 20in or 50.8cm seat tube. Looks like it has a touring frame. Everything I want.. except the size.

I seem to fall in the 47, 48, 49cm range. I read that touring you might end up bigger.. I dunno why.

So.. this bike doesn't really fit me right????

When I stand over, I've got about an inch or so of clearance. I can stand flat footed. I didn't really ride it since I was kinda bummed (and yet relieved from the pocketbook standpoint)

Whatcha think? Did I dodge a bullet or should I snatch that thing up first thign in the morning?

[East Hill]

It sounds pretty good if you only need to supply lights. You might want to go back and take it for a test ride. You might have decided that it was all right once you'd ridden it, as touring geometry is not the same as racing bike geometry.

If the bike's less than $100, and it's still available, I would probably consider it a viable option.

Just my opinion, naturally :D .

East Hill

[bike4ever]

Standing over the bike is not going to give you a real indicator of the fit of the bike. You need to ride the bike to check the length of the top tube.

[mimitabby]

yeah, what bike mom said. Be less worried about the inches and more worried about the actual fit!
(how's that other bike coming, the orange one?)

[roguedog]

Oh crap.. you guys are just not helping the pocketbook.

Hmm... really? I thought if the top tube was that close, it was uh.. unsafe, shall we say? Though I suppose not as much for us as for the guys :)

Is there anything I should be looking for when I ride?

Mimi - orange bike has been to the spa, gotten a facial (had its various blemishes fill in and what not) and is now get a full body powder coat job. :) I hope it comes out quite the rock star :)

East - it's priced @ 200 but i think maybe she would go down. i like it cuz it's not a popularly known brand, Kuwahara(?), but the frame is really pretty decent.. so it's kinda stealth which is another nice feature.

[East Hill]

How old is the bike, and what componentry? Kuwahara designed my Nishiki Prestige (from 1987), and it's a very nice bike.

I think from my viewpoint that $200 might be a bit steep, but it depends on the age of the bike, and the components. I'd definitely be offering more like $150, perhaps less.

If the toptube is that close you just have to make certain that you don't make any sudden stops! My Nishiki Pro doesn't have much space between me and the toptube, but I don't feel unsafe riding it.

East Hill

[SouthernBelle]

For me an inch feels like plenty. I would be more concerned with how the tob tube works out.

[roguedog]

East.. how many bikes do you have?

[East Hill]

Let me see...

2004 (or is it 2005?) Dolce Elite
1980 Centurion LeMans mixte
198? Nishiki Sport mixte
198? Raleigh Reliant mixte
198? Raleigh ? mixte--being professionally painted
1987 Centurion Dave Scott Ironman
1987 Nishiki Prestige
1979 Nishiki Pro
198? Fuji Thrill (mountain bike)
1980 World 'Sport', ladies model

I just re-homed a 198? Peugeot Cadre Allege with a friend, for his girlfriend.

Looks to be nine, at the moment :D . They are all steel bikes, except for the Dolce Elite.

East Hill