I'd love your opinion - good price for a Terry Symmetry?

Hi - this is my first post, so hopefully I put this in the right place!

I am completely new to biking - I will be completing my first (but hopefully not last) triathlon in a few weeks and realized I'd rather not complete it on my lame, department store bike. :p

I found a used Terry Symmetry locally, but I'm not sure if it's a fair price. I've tried to research it, but I can't really get any info on pricing (and I don't have a local Terry dealer). Anyway, here are the specs:

Georgena Terry Symmetry womans roadbike. Purchased new & ridden 46 miles. Stored inside. Mint condition. All Shimano Tiagra Flightdeck componetry. Triple crank 27-speed cassette. Cateye Computer. Velocity Aerohead rims. Panaracer Technova tires. Clipless peddles. Quick release hubs front & rear. This bike was purchased for my wife, but she hasn't the time to ride.

They are asking $450 for this bike. Thanks in advance for your responses!!

Welcome:)

Fit is the most important thing, as I'm sure you know:) That's a short time to get used to a new bike before a Tri, but if it's a good fit, you should be OK.

Assuming it fits, it seems like a decent deal. This may give you some more points of reference: http://www.terrybicycles.com/trade/i...ml?browse=sell
Here's another one that (was) for sale for $650. Do check over the bike to make sure the wear estimate is correct. http://www.sheldonbrown.com/chains.html - read the section on measuring chain wear, and go armed with your tape measure:)

The new Symmetry is $1330, but has slightly upgraded components (105).

Good luck!

CA

Thanks for the response!

I was trying to decide if it was better to ride my crappy bike (which, at least I've ridden) or get a new bike (that I won't have much time to ride/break-in).

This is a short tri and only has a 9-mile bike. I've only taken my bike out twice, once for 10.5 miles and yesterday for 22 miles. Realistically, I will only do a few more rides before the race. I have never ridden a road bike, so I have no clue as to how hard it is to get used to.

So yea, I really left it for the last minute. :eek:

If it is in mint condition as they say, and it is new enough to have 9 speed components, its an excellent value (I have owned 4 terry bikes). Do you know what year it was made? I know the bikes from 2001 on are definitely 9 spd, possibly earlier ones are too.
p.s. actually the comment on 27 speeds means it is a 9 spd triple, so yes its a very fair price (if condition is as stated). Of course the size has to be right too. If you know the size, I have some older geometry charts I could email you.

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Originally Posted by Triskeliongirl

If it is in mint condition as they say, and it is new enough to have 9 speed components, its an excellent value (I have owned 4 terry bikes). Do you know what year it was made? I know the bikes from 2001 on are definitely 9 spd, possibly earlier ones are too.
p.s. actually the comment on 27 speeds means it is a 9 spd triple, so yes its a very fair price (if condition is as stated). Of course the size has to be right too. If you know the size, I have some older geometry charts I could email you.

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Thanks!! I asked the size and this is his response:

"The “standover” height is 28”

When I asked the year, he said he didn't know the exact year. I was thinking of buying it with the stipulation that I would have it checked out by my LBS to confirm that it is as new as he says.

ETA: I just went to my LBS and tried out a 50cm, which he said was a great fit. He said I could also probably go with a 52cm. I don't know if that helps at all...

According to my geometry charts, with a standover ht of 28" its most likely the 17.5" model, which is 44 cm (center to center). If you are a 50-52 then its probably too small for you. I'll also warn you that while they are great bikes, a symetry may be heavier than you want for a triathalon. If you don't want to spend a lot of money, and are sure about your size I'd look for a used trek1000, 50 or 52cm. There are tons on ebay at good prices.

If you really like it, upgrade to a trek5200 or its equivalent.

So, to answer your first question is this a fair price, I would say yes if the condition is as stated. But, I do not think its the right size for you. Out of curiousity, how tall are you, and do you know your cycling inseam? How did you feel riding the 50cm bike in the shop? What model was it?

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Originally Posted by spotlightmama

Thanks!! I asked the size and this is his response:

"The “standover” height is 28”

When I asked the year, he said he didn't know the exact year. I was thinking of buying it with the stipulation that I would have it checked out by my LBS to confirm that it is as new as he says.

ETA: I just went to my LBS and tried out a 50cm, which he said was a great fit. He said I could also probably go with a 52cm. I don't know if that helps at all...

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Originally Posted by spotlightmama

ETA: I just went to my LBS and tried out a 50cm, which he said was a great fit. He said I could also probably go with a 52cm. I don't know if that helps at all...

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Also, you--not the LBS guy--should be the judge of what is (or is not) a good fit. Take the bike out for a spin--the longer the better--and really see how it feels. It could look like a great fit, but feel lousy, depending on your proportions, flexibility, preferences, etc.

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Originally Posted by Triskeliongirl

According to my geometry charts, with a standover ht of 28" its most likely the 17.5" model, which is 44 cm (center to center). If you are a 50-52 then its probably too small for you. I'll also warn you that while they are great bikes, a symetry may be heavier than you want for a triathalon. If you don't want to spend a lot of money, and are sure about your size I'd look for a used trek1000, 50 or 52cm. There are tons on ebay at good prices.

If you really like it, upgrade to a trek5200 or its equivalent.

So, to answer your first question is this a fair price, I would say yes if the condition is as stated. But, I do not think its the right size for you. Out of curiousity, how tall are you, and do you know your cycling inseam? How did you feel riding the 50cm bike in the shop? What model was it?

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I'm 5'4" - I don't know what my inseam is (can't find my stupid measuring tape!). To be honest, I was surprised that the guy at the LBS said I could go to a 52, because I barely had clearance while standing on the 50. I don't remember what model it was, unfortunately. I thought the 50 felt pretty good, but this is my first time with a road bike, so I don't really know what I should be looking for. He said the seat was a little bit too high, but it was as low as it could go without them custom cutting it, so I couldn't get an exact fit.

If it helps I am also 5'4", and I have terry bikes in both 17.5" and 19". Both fit in terms of standover, but I prefer the 17.5". Is it possible to test ride the bike before you ride it?

The 50cm is too big if the seat is as low as it can go and it's too high for you. Be aware that some bike shops will try to sell what is on the floor even if it doesn't fit properly.

People have different proportions, so height is not the only thing to look at. Inseam is also important, as arm length and flexibility.

I second that you should ride the symmetry and get it checked out before buying it. If it doesn't fit, it doesn't matter how cheap it is.

Do be aware if you test ride that the stock stems on the terrys are quite short. I had to put longer stems on all my terry, but that only improved the handling. I agree that the 50 is probably too big if you had problems standing over it and seat was too high in the lowest position. I'm also not sure I would trust this LBS, he may have just been trying to 'fit' you with what he was trying to unload........ The 17.5 could be spot on for you.

Thanks for the responses! I actually told the guy at the LBS that I was looking at buying this used Terry and he offered to let me ride a floor bike so I could get an idea of what it should fit like. Maybe he just wasn't very good at fitting. :p

I definitely plan on test riding the bike - I am meeting with the guy today so I can check it out. I don't know what I'm looking for in a ride...hopefully I will know if it is a "wrong" fit.

So I bought it. :) I took it for a ride and it really felt great. It is in absolutely perfect condition and the guy was super nice.

Now I can't wait to get this baby on the road!!

If its really new looking and you felt good on it you got an excellent buy! Big Congrats!!!

I presume it has the small front wheel. PM me if you need info. on where to be tubes and tires. Obviously terry is a good source, but so is Calhoun Cycles on the web. The fastest tire I recommend for your tri is the schwalbe stelvio. This you can order from terry or direct from schwalbe. Sometimes I buy rear ones from bike tires direct and front from terry, calhoun or schwalbe depending on sales, etc. (I stocked up at the terry 50% off sale).

post a pic and i might be able to identify the year if you are interested. also, if you call terry with the serial number they also may be able to identify the year. what color is she?

Congratulations! Yes, post a pic!

Enjoy your Terry!

I've got a Terry Despatch (the Symmetry replaced this line) that's about 20 years old and she's still handsome-looking. Would love to see pictures of your new-to-you-- and it sounds as though it was barely used-- bike.

Robin

Yes, pics please! :)

Aww, thanks ladies!! :) I'm excited. I took it out tonight for about 9 miles. Other than the seat being uncomfortable (I don't have cycling shorts - yet), it was a pretty nice ride. I think I've just started a new love affair with cycling!

Here is the pic from the ad - I'll try to get a better pic later. It really does look brand new!

Beautiful bike. Good luck in your triathlon!

Is that a quill stem?

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Originally Posted by MDHillSlug

Beautiful bike. Good luck in your triathlon!

Is that a quill stem?

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I don't even know how to tell - I am such a noob!! :o

Yes, its a quill stem. From the color I would guess its a 2001, which retailed at the time for $1150. The cheapest terry road bike you can buy today new costs more than $2000 so you did good. If you feel too bunched up, you can replace the stem with a nitto technomic, which comes in 1 cm increments. She is very pretty. I nearly bought that bike the year I bought my first classic. I remember how great she felt when I got on her compared to the guys bikes I'd had before. But I got in my head I wanted a touring bike, before realizing that you can also tour easily on the symetry/isis family, as long as you can carry what you need on a rear rack and run 28mm tires.