Classic & Vintage - new bike hunt

im looking for a new bike. I'm pretty much clueless when it comes to brands that would be worth anything. Except of course the obvious....huffy, murry , roadmaster...etc.
I just recently made a bid on a very nice 66 bottecchia. Just noticed its a 65cm frame and I'm only about a 5'8 maybe 5'9. What are some great inexpensive vintage bikes. My budget is pretty low be ween 150-170 but sometimes you can find a hell of a deal.

Where do you live?

baton rouge, La

At 5' 9" that 65 cm frame is going to be WAY too big for you.

Talk this guy down.

http://batonrouge.craigslist.org/bik/1175624676.html

baton rouge, La

http://batonrouge.craigslist.org/bik/1181075170.html

http://batonrouge.craigslist.org/bik/1169591845.html

http://batonrouge.craigslist.org/bik/1164517545.html

At 5' 9" that 65 cm frame is going to be WAY too big for you.

Talk this guy down.

http://batonrouge.craigslist.org/bik/1175624676.html

What would be a correct size?

What would be a correct size?

It depends as much (or more) on your body proportions as on your height. This table is a start. Measure your leg length as described on the table. At 5' 9", a 56cm or 58cm frame should fit, depending on your leg length.


http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d7/k4drd/Bicycles/RoadBikeSizingChart.jpg

It depends as much (or more) on your body proportions as on your height. This table is a start. Measure your leg length as described on the table. At 5' 9", a 56cm or 58cm frame should fit, depending on your leg length.


http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d7/k4drd/Bicycles/RoadBikeSizingChart.jpg

thank you, sir.

well I've had great responses but all links to bikes for sale. What are good brands or brands to stray from.

Stay away from Huffy, Murray, Free Spirit, Columbia, Open Road, JC Penney and most other department store brand names.

At 5' 9" that 65 cm frame is going to be WAY too big for you.

Talk this guy down.

http://batonrouge.craigslist.org/bik/1175624676.html

Couldn't get this guy down he was just an ass. Told me he sold it already Monday to an avid biker for 750...saying the biker new what he ahd and now proudly owns.

sorry but 750.....

Couldn't get this guy down he was just an ass. Told me he sold it already Monday to an avid biker for 750...saying the biker new what he ahd and now proudly owns.

sorry but 750.....

What? That's crazy. He was also wrong about the weight and the year. The bike definitely weighs more than 10 pounds. And I'm sure its later than '83.

I looked up a bunch of information on that bike too. 750 is way over the asking price.

Thanks for all the information everyone it's great.

how are is Gitane?

I looked up a bunch of information on that bike too. 750 is way over the asking price.

Thanks for all the information everyone it's great.

how are is Gitane?

There are Gitanes that should be $50 and there are some that sell for over $500. If you can get a model name, or good pics, it would help

http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-GITANE-SERVICE-COURSE-58CM-ROAD-BIKE-F-F-NR-GC_W0QQitemZ260411191470QQcmdZViewItemQQptZRoad_Bikes?hash=item3ca1b770ae&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2|65%3A1|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50 (http://cgi.ebay.com/VINTAGE-GITANE-SERVICE-COURSE-58CM-ROAD-BIKE-F-F-NR-GC_W0QQitemZ260411191470QQcmdZViewItemQQptZRoad_Bikes?hash=item3ca1b770ae&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2%7C65%3A1%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50)

It's just a frame. im willing to put the time into building a bike. I have a pro bike shop here in Baton Rouge literally in my back yard. I figured if i buy the right stuff and just put it together it would be a great experience and in the end well worth it. Bad thing...cosmetically this guy looks bad.

Ha, Ha, you may be bidding against me on that one :)

I really don't need another project right now so I'll step aside.

FWIW, I sold a repainted TdF, same approx year, with a Campy NR group, except Mafac brakes, mostly but not all period (seatpost was later, hubs had a later date stamp) for $500. That bike has a ways to go to get there.

clueless when it comes to brands that would be worth anything. Except of course the obvious....huffy, murry , roadmaster...etc.

You mean, worth nothing.

-Kurt

You want a bike not a frame if you're on a tight budget. Start reading the old C&V posts to get an idea of what's good. An old Schwinn road like the Varsity would be good.

You will need a helmet. A lof of old bikes had steel wheels. No braking in the rain,
say, but I imagine it never rains there... Anyway, a tuneup and maybe new wheels.

Cycling usually costs more than you think it will.