I helped a friend buy a road bike (great deal!)

[eofelis]

I have a friend that is getting into biking this year. She got a Trek 7.3FX hybrid bike for commuting and she likes it. She has been interested in getting a road bike. We went to look at some in LBSs last week, but hadn't tried any out yet.

I went to my local REI this morning, they were having one of their "garage sales." This REI does not have a bike shop, although they do sell bike gear. At the garage sale was a road bike for sale, which is not common to see. I took a look at it. It was a K2 womens road bike, new, priced at $320. I called my friend up and told her to get there as fast she could. During the time I was waiting for her. it was marked down to $200. (No one was looking at it). It was a steal: aluminum frame, carbon fork and seat stays, 9 speed triple Ultegra quality (short reach) STIs, 105 rear der, FSA cranks, tektro brakes, Tiagra front der., Alex rims, Joytech (?) hubs. A mix of components. I was really impressed with the quality of the shifters, I have the same ones on my bike. If she didn't buy it, I would have, even though I don't need another road bike.

My friend finally showed up. She took it for a quick spin and it seemed to fit pretty well and she bought it. I rode it to her house for her and it seemed to have a nice ride and shifted well. We rode around town together a bit and she seemed to like it a lot.

Finding a good bike for a friend is almost as much fun as buying a bike for yourself!

[KnottedYet]

$200!!!?!?!!!

Day-um! Good job!

[eofelis]

$200 is sure a great deal! Actually, it's an unbelievable deal!

I told her that even if it wasn't quite right that it was a good bike to start on, for the price. She can move the parts over a better frame someday if she wants to.

We rode across town together to meet her mom for lunch. We hadn't taken the time to adjust anything other than the seat height yet, but she seemed happy on it.

The bike gods are smiling on her today!

[momof4greatkids]

Finding a good bike for a friend is almost as much fun as buying a bike for yourself!

wow.....sweeeeeeeeeet deal! What a good friend you are, I would have been tempted to snag it for myself (even though I don't need a bike!)