Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Another n00by asking about a bicycle....

Good morning all!

Following in the tradition of all great forums, I have lurked and learned right up until I need something. Now I am going to post a thread asking a bunch of total strangers to help me purely out of the goodness of their hearts. Hopefully, one day I can pay it back, or pay it forward.

I have a chance to buy a used bike (my first in about 25 years) from a craigslist ad. (see photos) The only thing I know it is a Giant Sedona mountain bike. The owner says he has had it for two years. Asking price, $175.

I'm about 5'11.5" (don't take my .5"), and 299 in my skivvies. Are there any gotchas I should look for when I go to see it?

You should have a lot of room to negotiate on the price. From those lousy pictures it's tough to tell what Sedona that is but brand new Sedona ST models can be found for around $250.

Check to see if everything's operational, look for cracks in the frame around all of the welds, and make sure the bike feels comfortable to you when you're riding it.

This is a $400 bike brand new, so the price is a hair on the high side, unless it is really clean (which it might be).

Check that the wheels spin straight. Hold the frame up and spin each wheel, and look straight down over the wheel, looking for 'wobble'. Also listen closely for brake rub while doing this. If it wobbles or rubs, it could mean future broken spokes, or at least the need to have the wheel trued.

When test riding, pedal hard a few times and listen for clicks and ticks coming from the bottom bracket/crank area. Ticks could mean a worn bottom bracket, although they can come from pedals or other sources.

Set the fork tension high, and see if you can make it bottom out by mashing all your weight down on the handlebars (hopefully you can't). It should not be a problem with a front fork, but I remember bottoming out rear suspensions on test rides back in the day.

Shift through all the gears up and down several times while riding. The quicker it goes from gear to gear, the better. If it takes a long time to shift (or especially if you have to shift twice to move one gear), it could indicate a worn chain and/or cassette, or at least the need to adjust. It's really hard (to me) to just look at the cassette and see that it's worn out. If it is toast, the problem is likely only in the middle gears, or in this guy's riding zone, anyway.

It seems like a decent bike to get (re)started on. You can sell it without taking a big hit, or keep it as a back-up if you upgrade later. It ultimately comes down to how the bike feels. I'd rather overpay for a bike I like, than get a 'deal' on one that does not feel right. good luck and have fun

I should have said $400 new for the regular Sedona. There is a DX version for $500 retail, and an ST version for $300. So, if you are looking at a cherry DX, $175 is not too bad. Either way, of course you offer $150 or less. Cash talks, and sellers often get jacked around by people who don't show up, ask them to hold the bike, etc.

Thank you guys very much!

I'm a little paranoid, but I think I'm gonna go for it. If I can get it for about $120-$140 it would be the same as a department store bike(yes, I did consider that option). And that would still leave room to pay the LBS to inspect and tune up the bike.

Good! Yeah, make a counteroffer with cash showing. ;)

Hey, DelusionDude, since no one else said it yet....WELCOME and don't be a stanger.

Well, it's done.

The bike definitely needs work. The seller had bought the bike two years ago off eBay for $200. And though she claims they have hardly used it, someone had. The front derailue... derale... derail... shoot, the front gear shifter did not work. one attempt to shift and the chain jumped off. The shifter would not stay in the position for the other gears. The rear der^h^^ gear shifter seems to work, but probably also needs to be replaced. And no kickstand. :( So the bike will be off to the shop on Monday.

But... after seeing all the problems I only offered $75. She said she needed more because the pawn shop had even offered $80. My reply..."ok, I'll give you $80 and you can be done with it. After a "conference" with her husband, she accepted.

So what is it? I don't know enough to tell. It has a 17" 6061 Allux extra light frame , front(6101) and rear(Altus) Shimano derailleurs (which need repair/replace), self-sealing 26x1.95 Slime tires, 21 possible gear combinations.

I'll get it fixed and see what happens next.

Probably just needs cables and adjustment. Go ahead and replace the brake cables and pads as well. A complete tuneup should run you around $80 +/-. All in all, you seem to have gotten a reasonably good deal.

80 bucks isn't bad at all I'd say, you got yourself a nice ride for a pretty good price. It's unlikely that either der (derailleur) needs replaced unless they took a good smack in shipping or storage. Either a good tuning and at worst new cables. I would be willing to bet someone attempted to service the bike with no prior knowledge, messed it up and gave up.

I would also pull those slime tubes out and replace them with regular ones. Slime can make one nasty mess on the inside of your rims/tires. Also be sure to pick up a helmet, flat repair kit, tire levers, and a frame mounted air pump. Welcome to the forums, ride on and post us some better pics!

Bau

I also think that sounds like a good deal...

If all it needs is a little minor tuning then you should get a lot of mileage out of that bike.

The one thing you should keep in mind that for a big guy the wheels that come stock on most bikes are not great quality (even if you spend $800 or more on a brand new bike) and you may begin to have problems after not too long. The solution could be to keep ~$150 handy in case the rear wheel starts popping spokes or grinding bearings, and buy a higher quality wheel - handbuilt with a good hub and 14 guage spokes - when you need it, and that sould keep you going for years.

Congratulations!

Congrats on the good purchase and here's another "Welcome!" from a relatively new nOOb myself.

And I second the request for better pics when you get the new ride fixed up. For $80, I think you got a GREAT deal even with what you are going to spend to get her back in riding condition.

Good for you.

Size isn't standardised. However, at 17 inches, that is prob two sizes too small for you. Most people make that mistake, so I wouldn't sweat it too much.

I also think that sounds like a good deal...

If all it needs is a little minor tuning then you should get a lot of mileage out of that bike.

The one thing you should keep in mind that for a big guy the wheels that come stock on most bikes are not great quality (even if you spend $800 or more on a brand new bike) and you may begin to have problems after not too long. The solution could be to keep ~$150 handy in case the rear wheel starts popping spokes or grinding bearings, and buy a higher quality wheel - handbuilt with a good hub and 14 guage spokes - when you need it, and that sould keep you going for years.

Congratulations!

+1 on the wheel issue. If you lose more than 1 or 2 spokes, concede and get a better wheel set. I would also recommend an upgrade to puncture resistant tires right away. A good set will be @$80, but worth it. For the price of the bike and the fix, you did pretty well. Now get out and have fun.

Ride it well! Second everything about about the tuneup. If you're going to ride on road alot take a look at the Armadillos - best puncture proof tires you can find. I got a nail through my slime tubes once - took a month to get that stuff off the frame since it started spraying out as it was turning.

The report.....

Used Giant Sedona Comfort/Mountain Bike, unknown vintage: $80.00
Tune-up/Clean-up at LBS including replacement derailleur: $55.51
Kickstand, just 'cause I'm not used to bike without them: $ 7.00
Cranial prophylactic, Bell Impulse Adult, and it's too tight: $26.87
Making that first ride in the neighborhood without the
embarrassing fall on the street, making it home without
having to walk up the tiny little uphill grades, AND not
crashing into the car when turning into the driveway.... PRICELESS

Great going DD! Now get out there and wear some tires out.

Jerry

Size isn't standardised. However, at 17 inches, that is prob two sizes too small for you. Most people make that mistake, so I wouldn't sweat it too much.

I'm also concerned about the size. I'm 5'11.5" and 230 #. I ride a large (21" ) Giant Cypress. It fits perfectly.

Michael

It's unlikely that either der (derailleur) needs replaced...

Guess who comes from western PA, folks! It's "needs TO BE replaced", not "needs replaced."

Sorry to threadjack, but this regionalism grates on me. :p

I'm also concerned about the size. I'm 5'11.5" and 230 #. I ride a large (21" ) Giant Cypress. It fits perfectly.

Michael

I'm six one and ride a 18" Trek Navigator. The bike might fit DD better than you think.

Congrats on the new ride! You'll be addicted soon.


Guess who comes from western PA, folks! It's "needs TO BE replaced", not "needs replaced."

Sorry to threadjack, but this regionalism grates on me. :p

Gee, I don't see the problem. Excuse me, I have to go...my bike needs warshed. :p

-western PA ex-patriot

Yins goin' for a ride today?? ;)

---PA born & raised, VA transplant