Classic & Vintage - 1977 (?) Raleigh Grand Prix Questions

I found (two) Raleigh Grand Prix on craigslist and I was wondering what you guys thought of it. (They) seem to be in excellent condition, tuned up and everything.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/bik/934732869.html

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/bik/934731362.html

These are dramatically different in size. Don't trust/believe the sellers comments on fit. Both price wise would be high for around here, but might be the market in your area.

But a good deal on a bike that does not fit is a bad deal. At best, one of these two will fit you.

Four speed? If you're intent on one, I'd go with that and add a few links to the chain. Quite obviously, that seller doesn't know much about bike maintenance, so you might have to do a few other small tune-up activities, but if you know what you're doing - easy stuff.

Looks like they're the same seller. Call him up and see which one fits better.

nice bikes. get the gears fixed on the one. i'm 6'1 and would probably fit either the 23.5 or 25.5". pricey? i buy a bike for 75 bucks and put another hundred or more into it usually more. new tires, sometimes wheels, spokes, tune-up. and a brooks, of course... if it's already done for you, what the hell.

Thanks guys, he's bringing both of them along tomorrow so I'll be able to ride around on both. Your comments are really informative and I'd love to hear more.

If the brown one fits, I'd get that one. Avoid the cottered cranks on the other one. I have cottered cranks on mine and am dreading when I go to repack the bottom bracket during it's potential fixie conversion. Though, it still needs repacking.
I mean, cottered cranks aren't bad, they just make bottom bracket maintenance more of a hassle.
-Gene-

$230?? Ouch! I find them at the flea market from time to time for $10-$30, and pass them by. Just not my kind of bike that's all. I'm more of a Super Course guy.:D I imagine the seller got it for about the same price I could, and decided to pass the savings onto you. $230 could get you a lot more bike if you look around, believe me. It's pretty, but you could do better for the money. Thrift stores, flea markets, and car swap meets are good place to start looking.,,,,BD

I have a 34" inseam and used to ride a 25 1/2" Grand Prix frame on 27 X 1 1/4" wheels. The other frame size would also work for me but was the lower bounds on frame size, usually due to maximimum practical height of the handlebar stem.

A "Brooks" saddle? I don't think so.

I think the red one is older than the seller claims due to the use of cottered cranks. I could be wrong.

+1 Cottered cranks suck. If the guy is a bike flipper, have him swap out the crankset if that is the bike you prefer.

Only one problem with that conversion idea. It most likely requires a #5 spindle. Something Mr. Flipper probably doesn't have.,,,,BD

These bikes came with brooks originally.. just look at the catalog on sheldon browns website

If I do try and purchase I'll definetely try and haggle him down.