Good deal?

[Jordyne]

Hey All,

I ride a Giant OCR1 for speed/longer rides, but I want to commute to school (3 miles) and want something that won't get stolen. This is for sale on craigslist and he will do $170. When I called, he had a strong accent and didn't want to give a lot of info on the bike but said he put new tires on it and it works without a problem.
Is this a good deal? What should I ask about it? Also, I'm a 5'5'' female, 120lbs and ride a womens 52.5ish TT.

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/bik/3129835468.html

THANKS!

[shootingstar]

I wouldn't buy it unless I had the opportunity to look at it in person and ride around it for a few blocks with the owner around. You don't want another $100.00 for fix-ups later on at LBS.

That's just me. Which means I would only consider a bike from someone who lived locally/same region where I've lived. You want simply a commuter bike so it's not worth the hassle of dealing with someone who you can't meet.

[Jordyne]

Hi,

It is local so I could ask him if he would meet me at a LBS

[pinsonp2]

I have a similar vintage Raleigh Record Ace mixte that is a very comfortable ride for me. I am most comfortable on the same size TT that you prefer. However, I only paid $80 for mine (probably a bit high for my area). Since purchase I have changed out saddle, seat post, pedals and wheels (all used). I plan on putting newer brake levers, stem, and new bar tape on it. These changes were based on personal preferences since I am more used to modern road bikes. Also, the friction shifters have been hard to get used to. Maybe I'll put on an indexed drive train in the future if I can find one with the stem shifters. So, I definitely would not pay $170 for it, and it will probably become a never ending project. You need to determine what you really want to do with a used vintage bike because they can be money pits.....fun ones none the less.

P2

[Jordyne]

How about this?

http://athensga.craigslist.org/bik/3130010528.html

WAY Cheaper! He said the brakes are bad though and the shifting is weird. The shifters don't have a clicker but you just push them and it's not a science (sometimes you're not sure where it's shifting.)

He is willing to meet at a LBS but it's 2 hours from my home

[nuliajuk]

"Rare twin tube..."
Huh? That's a mixte frame. They aren't so common now, but they were when that bike was new.

[Tri Girl]

Hmmmm.... the mixte is beautiful, but seems overpriced. Especially for commuting.
The second one looks like it might need too much work (hard to tell because the pictures aren't very clear). It just looks dirty and dingy.

What about this (http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/bik/3129571297.html) one? Don't know if it's your size, but it's more set up for commuting (rear rack, fenders).

Or this (http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/bik/3128136313.html) one? It looks SUPER clean and in great shape. I love old Schwinns. They are just so classically beautiful!

Or this (http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/bik/3128082661.html) one. It also has fenders and looks to be in very good condition. Heck- I want to buy this one. ;)

I don't know the Atlanta area or how far any of those places are from you, but definitely go and ride any bike for a bit before throwing money at the seller. Make sure it rides well and looks to be in good condition (no frame dents from obvious crashes). Good luck with your search!!


Sorry for all the suggestions. I seriously look at Craigslist bikes at least 3 times a week in my area. I have a bike problem- LOVE looking, LOVE buying and LOVE fixing them up (and then never giving them away). ;)

[Miranda]

What about looking at Walmart? Or garage sales?

I just had my still growing son in Walmart looking at bikes and there were some clearanced between $50-75.

Ya, I know, it's Wally World. But if you are riding it 6mi round trip to a college campus (theft rate you already know) it's not such a bad thing.

Some of our lbs also take in used bikes as trades. I've seen some lovely bikes that I really wanted to bring home with me if I could.

Good Luck!

[Jordyne]

I guess I need to be more patient! I'm really hoping for a small, cool road bike and not a cruiser. I've got a month before school starts and I don't want to spend over $175

What about this though? I've never ridden a single speed- pros/cons?
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/bik/3106347764.html

[Tri Girl]

That's a cute bike- and looks to be in good shape! :)
Have you ever ridden a fixie before (you know those don't coast and that you always have to be pedaling or you stop moving)?

[Jordyne]

So I know NOTHING about single speed. I'm a bit worried because I live in Atlanta and biking in traffic means you need to be able to stop quickly when cars pull out in front of you.

Can I add a back brake to it? How much does that cost? I was looking for a road bike but this might not be a bad option.

[Tri Girl]

It looks like it has both a front and rear brake. Riding a fixie is difficult to learn at first, but can be fun.
When your feet stop pedaling, you stop moving.
If you have any hills, understand that you can't coast down them- you have to be pedalling your tail off because the wheels always move with the cranks (or just take your feet off the pedals and fly). Going uphill will be difficult because you only have one gear.

Here's (http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/bik/3132525919.html) a single speed. This is different than a fixie because you can coast on it.

Here's (http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/bik/3132866145.html) a nice looking Fuji road bike as an alternative.

[Jordyne]

Ok- thinking maybe a fixie isn't the best for Atlanta roads. I actually sent a message to the Fuji bike asking the size

[Seajay]

I know I've been here before and it's not advice that's wanted but.... Do you really want to be commuting in traffic with a bike with 30+ year old brakes that were barely sufficient when they were new?

[Jordyne]

I can't afford new, so I need to get a used bike. I'm going to meet any seller at a LBS to make sure everything is in working order and it's safe.

I've got it down to two. Would appreciate any thoughts on them:

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/bik/3134416195.html - called him and he really cleaned up the bike and says it works well- he restores old bikes

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/bik/3132866145.html - i like this one the best but I haven't heard back about it. I like the top bar (not slanted)


thoughts?

[Megustalaplaya]

Oh my gosh, that Schwinn is pretty! Check out those levers, I had those on my old Spirit bicycle.

[Jordyne]

The Fuji has done tube shifters which I just read abut buy have never used. The like the Fuji best and he can meet me tomorrow at the lbs. are downtube shifters too hard for the city?

[Tri Girl]

My commuter (mixte) has downtube shifters. They are not tricky at all once you get the hang of them.

[Jordyne]

Sweet - I'm gonna go look at her today! I'm worried about the rust but the LBS will check her out.

[hebe]

Sweet - I'm gonna go look at her today! I'm worried about the rust but the LBS will check her out.

Good luck!

[Tri Girl]

Soooooo... did you get the bike? ;)

[Jordyne]

Here she is! I spent all day cleaning her and she's got some pretty significant rust but oh well! I did put a new saddle on her but everything else is original.

It's a Fuji Gran Tourer SE and I believe it's a 1981.

[Tri Girl]

LOVE her!!! Congrats! :D

[Jordyne]

Thanks so much for the help!

Is there anything I need to worry about with rust on the frame or anywhere else?

It sure it pretty! Now I just need to find a cheap but good lock!

[Tri Girl]

Is there anything I need to worry about with rust on the frame or anywhere else?

Did you ride it at the LBS? What did they say?
If it's on the chain, I would just replace the chain.



It sure it pretty! Now I just need to find a cheap but good lock!

A Kryptonite lock isn't cheap, but it's a great way to protect that beautiful new bike of yours! They even have a replacement guarantee.

Oh, and LOVE that blog!

[Jordyne]

Yeah- my favorite shop checked it out and they just said it looked good. They did put it on the stand in the back. I felt bad because I didn't buy from them but used their advice. The guy checked it out and seemed to like the bike. I go to the shop a lot so I can ask again.

I actually put a WTB out on the forums to see if anyone has one of those locks to sell. As a MSW student, my budget is in the negatives. :)