Should I buy it? Would you?

**Duck on Wheels** · 02-26-2006, 09:27 AM

I sent my bike to California for the Cindy. Gave my sister something of a shock. "You're riding THAT in the Cindy?

" Well, she's helping me do something about that, like switch tires at the very least. Next problem is getting the bike back here after, or finding another for the two months I'll be here after. So ...
Yesterday I checked one of the LBSs. Found an old but well kept flatbar road bike that fits me pretty well. It's a Trek 700 (17" frame) which I gather means it's practically an antique (as in classic steel), but it's got some newer parts. Asking price is $215. Any advice out there? Should I buy it? Will it be easy to sell again in June? Anybody want to take it over come then?

**kjay** · 02-26-2006, 09:34 AM

I may be interested in buying it. I currently have a hybrid which won't be adequate to bike the 400-mile CANDISC in the Midwest in August, so I've been pondering my dilemma . . whether or not to buy a new road bike to ship to the Midwest or to buy a used bike in good condition. I am 5'3" and when on a Hawaii tour a few months ago, I rented a 17.5 Terry road bike. I mention this because I don't know how much leeway one can get by with when sizing bike fits. Thanks!

**Trek420** · 02-26-2006, 10:11 AM

bikeless, note the difference in your heights. 17" is usually what I (your 5'1" scale model) ride or 5'3" kjay below. Most often road bike sizes are expressed in cm like my road bike is apporx 47 cm but since your bike at home's a 20" I question the fit.

**Duck on Wheels** · 02-26-2006, 10:22 AM

Yes, I realize that 17" shouldn't fit me. I didn't even want to bother trying it, but it kept drawing me back and finally I caved. Maybe it's cuz I like to sit up straight, no stretch, but oddly enough, it seemed pretty comfy.

**Duck on Wheels** · 02-26-2006, 10:38 AM

Originally Posted by kjay

I may be interested in buying it. I currently have a hybrid which won't be adequate to bike the 400-mile CANDISC in the Midwest in August, so I've been pondering my dilemma . . whether or not to buy a new road bike to ship to the Midwest or to buy a used bike in good condition. I am 5'3" and when on a Hawaii tour a few months ago, I rented a 17.5 Terry road bike. I mention this because I don't know how much leeway one can get by with when sizing bike fits. Thanks!

If I _do_ buy this bike, and if you do consider using it for the CANDISC, I would recommend you try it out first. I wouldn't recommend doing 400 miles on a bike you haven't tried riding before. If it doesn't fit, you'll be hurting. But shipping a bike to and from the coast is what I've been trying to avoid here, so I don't know how we'd work this out. But nothing's impossible. First let's see if I buy the bike, then we can think about the next step.

**kjay** · 02-26-2006, 12:38 PM

bikeless, I should have read your initial post more carefully. Don't know why I thought the bike for sale (in a few months) was already in California. Sorry. Good luck in your search.

**Duck on Wheels** · 02-26-2006, 01:15 PM

The one in California is a hybrid. Like yours. Same problem. I have to find something there I can do 100K on, then either ship the hybrid back here or find something else here. I may wind up with 3 bikes to sell in June.

Or two to sell and one to ship all the way to Norway.

Or one to sell, somewhere this side of the Atlantic, one to keep in my Mom's garage, one to ship home, and my old one there to sell.

How did I ever get myself into this situation?!?! Oh well. I'll find a solution. And good luck finding yours. I'm sure there are solutions out there for both of us.

**Nanci** · 02-26-2006, 03:03 PM

Isn't there anyone in CA that would loan you a bike? If you were coming to FL, I would certainly loan you my bike! Or my spare, if you liked that better.

Nanci

**Trek420** · 02-26-2006, 05:37 PM

Bikeless, do not get the 17" Trek.

A 17" bike is MY size. TE gals Bikeless has been known to refer to me as her "scale model". I was just discussing this with 5'8" or so (?) Spazzdog and she said

Don't get that bike and frankly ANY other bike in Madison WI. I think this shop is just interested in unloading product or at minimum doesn't know how to fit a bike.

I have the day off Thursday, will use it to go to Moms and pick up your bike which is a hybrid but fits you fine.

And don't worry TE gals.

Chris at Robinson Wheelworks is my shop and he can do magic with slicks at minimum.

Or there may be a possibility of a loaner from my "other shop", Cyclepath in Hayward.

The manager there says he may have a Specialized Sirrus in Bikeless actual (not tortured) size. If the loaner bike is available he'll swap the pedals and seat and match the geometry. He'll fit her and then Bikeless can try distance cycling on a flat bar road bike.

If he does not have the loaner let Chris and Tim do their magic.

Distance cycling is not for all, you may love it

and then begins the long slow process of finding and choosing the perfect bike for you.

Right now I'm just interested in getting you through the Cindy or as much of it as you can in comfort and fun.

**kjay** · 02-26-2006, 07:03 PM

Originally Posted by Nanci

Isn't there anyone in CA that would loan you a bike? If you were coming to FL, I would certainly loan you my bike! Or my spare, if you liked that better.

Nanci

Nanci, that is very sweet of you. I don't know anyone here who bikes, as I always bike by myself, but I will no doubt end up buying a road bike that's not too expensive. Thanks very much.

**Duck on Wheels** · 02-27-2006, 04:52 PM

Originally Posted by Trek420

Bikeless, do not get the 17" Trek.

A 17" bike is MY size. TE gals Bikeless has been known to refer to me as her "scale model". I was just discussing this with 5'8" or so (?) Spazzdog and she said

Yes, and I'm the enlargement. 7 years older and 7" taller. OK OK. Gave the bike a test ride today, and I know it shouldn't fit, but amazingly it does. With the seat up high the legs get a good stretch, feel fine full cycle, back straight, arms relaxed, spun me right up a few small hills on campus, gears were smooth, not a rust spot on her. Fits like a dream for me, who likes sitting up straight and wears a backpack like a snail carries its shell -- everywhere. And this was a day I had upper back and ankle pain already, so any bad fit would have hurt right away.

Still ... on the walk home I reached a decision (all my best thoughts come to me while walking -- a good 4-5 miles usually gets my head sorted). The decision is not to complicate my life with more bikes to sell in just a few months. So first I'll wait and see what sister Trek has worked out for the Cindy -- either slicks on the hybrid I have or a better loaner to test ride. Then decide. It only costs $80 to take it back here as checked luggage (well ... "only", but still less than the risk of an unsold bike) , and only takes a few minutes to pack if we have a box handy and another few minutes to reassemble this end. If I'm test riding the Specialized and fall in love with it, then ship it here and from here back to Norway and sell my old Trek in Norway. If I'm on slicks on the Giant and feeling fine with that, then ship that here and sell it from here in June. Or, if I decide I'd rather go with the 17-incher here, they may still have it come Mar 26, which, after all, still won't be bike season here yet. Or if I do that and find it sold, then they'll have something else that will work just as well for 2 months. I'm not about to keep that little Trek anyway, so no hurry to buy it.

There. Decision made. What a relief. Now back to work.

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