Road Cycling - Testing the water

I am just about to jump into buying a road bike without any prior experience. I am finding the whole experience pretty intimidating. The whole specialist, small bike store situation chokes me. I'm like a guy on a first date trying to sound knowledgeable about something I know nothing about (I don't know if everybody's first dates are like mine. I did end up getting married so I know I can get past this).

I digress, I 've seen this bike, a Cannondale R600 on Ebay that is in great shape, a 98 opening offer 450dollars. Nobody has bid yet. He'll sell it outright for 600. What I need to know is, do you think that is a good price ? Is it good start out bike? Further, would it be suitable for riding 20 miles to work and back each day or would a touring bike be more comfortable? Also, I notice alot of RX100 components on it, are they any good? Are there any questions I should be asking about the bike?

Lots of questions there. Can anybody shed any light on these burning questions that I always think of in the car on the way home from the bike store. Thanx in anticipation

nothing wrong with that frame...and nothing wrong with those components. That is a very stiff frame...so beware if you are more than 190lbs. I rode one of those Cannondale 'all aluminum' frames for a time..and the frame was hell on my spokes due to the stiff aluminum stays. I was in a race once and riding with the leaders at a very crucial point..and just as we entered a tight hair pin turn I hear this loud pop..and look down to notice that one of my spokes had broken....and the wheel came untrue and practically unrideable. I had to abandon the race. That said..it only happened one other time.

I do not see why this bike wouldn't serve you well. The RSX stuff is durable and dependable. The stiff aluminum frame might become most uncomfortable on very long rides..say 2 hours or more...especially to your lower back. I did get alot of good mileage out of my Cannondale..including some serious racing and training. Just keep it clean, tuned, and maintained.

What wheelset is on the ebay bike?

I think if you are buying a first road bike, i would go to a few local bike stores and ask a lot of questions. I would also read a lot. Try bicycling.com or cyclingforums.com. There is a lot that goes into fitting one for a bike and one that is the wrong size can be painful. I know this from personal experience.
be careful. there are a lot of deals out there that look really good, especially if you know very little.

bakhurts

is this the bike....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=58091&item=3682441776&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

The guy says it's like new...which is really positive. As I said the RSx 100 group is quite durable and dependable. It's better than the current Sora or Tiagra group....and is probably a near equal to the 105 stuff. The guy says it's a 58 cm. I assume you are 5feet10 to 6feet. That would seem to be optimal for this size bike....although a stem change could make it fit if you are a liitle short or tall of this range.