Road Bike Racing - Buying Advice

Somebody I know has what looks like a great brand name (but I forgot which, silly me) Italian bike made in Italy etc for sale. The bike is however 15 years old.

My question is supposing that the bike is all what it claims to be (and that I would be willing to pay that much money which I am not in fact). It is it worth to buy for $1,000 a top of the line 15 years old bike or better to buy a new not so top of the line bike?

I would NEVER pay $1000 for a 15 year old bike. If it is brand new never ridden, or just test ridden then parked maybe, it would have to have like a complete Campy Record group, frame in perfect condition etc. even then you can get alot of bike for $1000 these days.

Ditto Hunter.

I'd get all the particulars on the bike, ask the same question you asked us at a couple of bike shops. Look the frame over, or better yet, borrow it and take the bike to a shop and let them inspect it for cracks, damage, potential problems, etc. Then, if it's still a keeper, you can pick a price and start talking turkey.

My vote: it's much better to get a current, not-so-top-of-the-line bike. Unique old bikes are great for collectors and special rides... they aren't so great as a primary ride.

Depends on the bike. Some are worth much more. Age is not a factor.

If you know much about cycling you may already know the deal you are getting into. If not and the bike attracts you then have it checked over by a knowledgeable person. Look for signs of cracks and rust mainly.

Again the source selling also tells much. So check into the seller. Why is he selling? Background on the sport?

I tend to agree with Xavier. I have an 11 year old Fuji and a 12 year old Schwinn Paramount. I have put over 1000 miles on each bike this summer without a seconds trouble with either of them.

I guess I look at it like if I had to replace the Paramount, just a new Waterford handmade frame would cost more than twice what I paid for an entire bike with a nice groupo. In other words, buying a used top-end bike has put me on a lot nicer bike than I would have ever been able to afford new.

Hunter and Roadbuzz are both right about giving the bike a good going over, either by yourself or at your LBS. No reason to spend that kind of $$ for a bike that is going to give you trouble. People who know a lot more about bikes than I do have told me that a good frame can easily last 30 years, so the one you are talking about could be just middle aged!

Why are you buying it? Is it for the antique value alone or do you want a bike for performance? If it's the latter, I'd spend the $1000 on a new, midrange road bike. I just replaced my 1990 Bianchi downtube shifter 7-speed for a LeMond STI 9-speed with Rolfs. It's out of the $1000 range, but my point being that it smokes over the old bike for performance, comfort and agility. Now if it's for collection/antique purposes, all my reasoning goes out the window.

Depends on the bike but $1000 is real money for a lightweight so proceed with caution. Cinellis twice that old sell for 2K$ plus regularly on eBay. I was sorely tempted by a Colnago Master with the full Super Record Group that went for 800$. There are collectible lightweights out there but unless it is a Cinelli 1000$ is at the top of the price range. There are exceptions like a Peugeot PX10 NOS in the box that I saw a while ago. It went for about 1K$ as I recall.

BTW a quality Italian with the Super Record rides pretty well by any comparison. I've got an 80s Basso with Super Record and a DuraAce freewheel that's right up there with my newer ride with Record 8 Ergo as far as smoothness and overall ride quality.

Well I did upgrade to dual pivot sidepulls;) but everything else is retro.

I know this thread is a little old now, but I thought I'd throw in my 2 cents. Basically, I look at it as a variation on the old saying "If you have to ask, you can't afford it." I would only pay that kind of money for an older bike if I ALREADY KNEW that a certain brand/model was highly desirable and that the price quoted was a good deal for that bike in that (whatever) condition. And then it would be for the collector value. I can't see spending that kind of money on a bike for serious riding when the technology has advanced so much.

Rainman don't forget about collectability, and many don't think that the advances in technology mean that much. I paid a lot more than $1,000 for an old Italian bike one time.
Ride an old one
Pat