Just don't know enough

[jsmithborne]

Hey all--I could use some help with a decision. I'm getting a new (to me) bike for commuting and running around campus, and I have two options at this point. One is a 2001 Raleigh SC200 from a college student who is heading out of town; she's asking $215. The other is a steel-framed, 70's-era Peugeot mixte from a local bike co-op for $275.

I've taken both for a test ride, but don't feel like I know a lot more after that. The air in the tires on the Raleigh was low, so it was more draggy than it ought to be, but I liked the nice upright position. The Peugeot was zippy and fun, but the type of handlebars they had on it meant I had to lean forward and look up, which I was hoping to get away from. My previous bike, a 1987 Raleigh Mountain Tour (stolen last fall, I'm still grieving) was a lot of fun, but for regular commuting, like I'm hoping to do, the position put a lot of stress on my wrists and neck. The bike shop guy said that as long as I just wanted a different set of used handlebars, they'd change them out for the same price. I love the idea of the classic mixte, but is $275 a crazy amount to pay for it?

I don't anything about the quality of components and stuff like that on either bike--so what are the really important things to find out before committing?

Thanks for any advice!

[VeloVT]

Here are the specs for the Raleigh:
http://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/B...C200&Type=bike

Personally (and others may disagree) I think both bikes are a bit overpriced, especially if they aren't in *mint* condition... but sometimes you have to take what you can get.

How do the sizes of the bikes compare? With the right setup, it is possible to get a drop bar bike to feel relaxed and not stretched out, unless it is too big in the first place. You should probably be looking more at stem changes than bar changes, though -- most bikes from that era have narrowish and shallowish bars to begin with.

[jsmithborne]

Thanks Liza. That's the Raleigh--thanks for the link.

I wasn't clear at all about the Peugeot--it doesn't have drop bars. The bike shop put a straight handlebar on it, similar to a mountain bike but old fashioned. It does have a stem that angles down; the salesguy said they'd replace that with one that angles up in addition to putting on handlebars that curve back.

[Zen]

The Peugeot ...I love the idea of the classic mixte, but is $275 a crazy amount to pay for it?

That's a bit steep (I think) especially for a bike that might be hard to find parts for.

[mayanorange]

I think I agree that you could find a better deal. Not to say that I haven't seen people asking these amounts (or more) for similar bikes. In addition to craigslist egotists, I called Bikes not Bombs in Boston and they were asking $350-450 for a decent old steelie. Granted they are a good non profit and refurb them fully, but I still find that a bit nuts. But Boston is a bit nuts about their old bikes. Not everyone is lucky enough to find a great bike for under $50 (does happen) but I'd think you could get something under $175. Like Zen said, be careful about older French bikes- the parts are expensive.

[Heifzilla]

Hey all--I could use some help with a decision. I'm getting a new (to me) bike for commuting and running around campus, and I have two options at this point. One is a 2001 Raleigh SC200 from a college student who is heading out of town; she's asking $215. The other is a steel-framed, 70's-era Peugeot mixte from a local bike co-op for $275.

I love my SC200. I paid around $500 for it in 1998. I have no idea what asking price for a used one is these days, though. Mine is pretty much mint, and I'd be happy to get $200 for it if I decided to sell. I've seen some recently on CL in the $250 range.

A couple of things: the SC200 is a tank and rides pretty rough. It's an aluminum frame and you can feel every single bump as it reverberates through the frame into your hands (and butt). It's also pretty heavy, mine is a little over 34 lbs. It certainly isn't a road bike, and it isn't cush. Still, I love it.

[jsmithborne]

Thanks Heifzilla--it's great to hear from somebody who has the SC200. I have been doing some research, and it looks like my old bike was steel-framed; I wonder if I'll really notice the difference with an aluminum one. But I'm planning on mostly city and greenway riding, so hopefully it will be fine.

Thanks to everyone for the advice. I'm thinking now that I'll offer the person with the Raleigh $180 and see what she says. It is in pretty good shape, but it's not mint. Just don't think I can justify to myself spending the extra $$ on the Peugeot.