Road Cycling - Is this a good bike to buy?

Notice the components, they are pretty decent correct?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3682420426&ssPageName=ADME:B:BN:US:1

And the bike is fairly cheap, is it a good bang for its buck?
he also said the bike 22lbs total, is that a normal weight?
This will be my first EVER road bike and im planning on racing.

its an okay bike if you want downtube shifters and an older bike.
Take a look at this one
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&catagory=7298&item=3681392004&rd=1

Its a old low end Peugeot... I dont think you will compete much on a 6/7spd bike with downtube shifters when most people are riding with STI shifters and 9 or 10spd setups. Does it fit you? You won't be fast if it doesnt fit. Also, Suntour and SIS are generally very low end components... I really wouldn't pay anywhere near $100 for this bike, its nothing amazing though the frame looks pretty nice, and these are common enough you could probably find teh same bike at Goodwill for $10 eventually. The rear derailleur is either Shimano or Suntour... they are two different companies... the seller doesn't seem to know much about what they have, so what does that tell you about its maintenace record?

Thanks for the input. The reason I wanted it was because how light it is. Only 22lbs!

My current road bike is Free Spirit and its 30lb.

Any other suggestions?

that bianchi link that bianchi_rider put up there is a much much nicer setup if it fits you. i had a few ex's who road bianchi campione d'italia's and they're a nice pickup for ~$200. you could describe that bike as a low-end race bike from 7 years ago.

your free spirit will be the heaviest bike ever, so anything will be an upgrade weight-wise.

what's your budget? if you plan on racing (when you say that i assume you mean like next summer since you're riding a free spirit and shopping for $100 bikes right now) you should try to scrape together more like $700 or $800 and get a new aluminum bike with a full Shimano 105 component group like this:
http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/windsor/fens_04.htm

alternately, learn some of the basic things about shimano and campy component groups (the shimano line is clearly broken down on the road bikes page from that link i just pasted above) and then test ride something locally just to find out your approximate size (like 56cm or 54 or 58 or something) and then watch ebay for something newer with a 105 group).

if you have to go way way low budget, then i would again suggest jumping on that campione d'italia link that bianchiRider put up there - that's better than a goodwill road bike and will let you get started comfortably at least.

this would be a nice starter bike off ebay as well:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=7298&item=3683082235&rd=1

Wow boze thanks! That bike looks good. But actually my limit is about $300 to spend on a bike not $100. And can you explain whats wrong with the Peugeot? It looks really good with 700c wheels and tires not to mention the Shimano gears and brakes. I really dont know much. Also my main objective is to find a really light bike for under 300$.

Btw im 5'8 155lb, my inseam is 30 and I was told a bike around 56-57 is good for me.

And about the downshift tube part. I can always have it alter and place it near the handle bar correct?

Wow boze thanks! That bike looks good. But actually my limit is about $300 to spend on a bike not $100. And can you explain whats wrong with the Peugeot? It looks really good with 700c wheels and tires not to mention the Shimano gears and brakes. I really dont know much. Also my main objective is to find a really light bike for under 300$.

Btw im 5'8 155lb, my inseam is 30 and I was told a bike around 56-57 is good for me.

And about the downshift tube part. I can always have it alter and place it near the handle bar correct?

56-57 is going to be too big for you, especially if you want to race. I'm 5' 8.5" and weigh 155 and ride a compact 50 which translates to a 54. I have the same inseem as you.

Also, you're going to spend as much to convert downtube shifter to STI as you will on the entire bike.

Many people (myself included) have made the mistake of not buying the complete package from the start. The result is that you add on here and there and end of spending more on the bike than you would have if you made the initial investment.

Best of luck.

-mark

Wow boze thanks! That bike looks good. But actually my limit is about $300 to spend on a bike not $100. And can you explain whats wrong with the Peugeot? It looks really good with 700c wheels and tires not to mention the Shimano gears and brakes. I really dont know much. Also my main objective is to find a really light bike for under 300$.

Btw im 5'8 155lb, my inseam is 30 and I was told a bike around 56-57 is good for me.

And about the downshift tube part. I can always have it alter and place it near the handle bar correct?
PriO, the Peugeot is a much older bike, weighing more and you have an outdated and mixed groupo, other than that there is nothing wrong with the bike it isnt bad for a beginner. To answer your question about the downtube shifters, you could have bar-end shifters put on, or even sti shifters put on, but you are looking at spending more money to have these things done, not to mention you would want to upgrade the groupo. boze left a link for a nice Raleigh on ebay for you thats within your budget that is only 5 years old with a full shimano 105 groupo. I left an ebay link for you on a Bianchi Campione de Italia with a full mix Campy groupo within your budget (tho I think the Bianchi would be too big for you)
You should keep searching, you will find the right bike, but be sure on the size, you definately dont want to get one thats too big for you. Good luck

I think at this point you need to go to an LBS save up a bit more money and get a new entry level roadbike... if you don't know a lot about bikes its very hard to buy something used. Sizing is everything, and if you don't know how to size a bike theres a good chance you will wind up with something that doesn't fit. At 5'8 the Peugeot is far too big as someone else stated. I'm 6'1" and ride a 56/57cm and I'm all legs :D

The Peugeot is currently at $102 and still under reserve. That's about the max price most would pay so unless 2 bidders get emotional I'd guess the auction finishes w/o a bidder. Back off that one and look for others. Check local sources and keep an eye on eBay.

22# was considered a very light bike in the 1970s thru most of the 80s. It's still pretty respectable though modern racers are ~5# less. For a beginner that weight difference is just about completely irrelevant so that's not a knock on the bike.

For those of us a bit "older" d/t shifters don't pose a problem however if you want STI or Ergo get a bike that already has it as upgrades are too $ on older bikes.

I'm a hair over 6' and ride a 56-57. I do have a short inseam/long torso but still am doubtful you should be on that sized bike. If nothing else go to WalMart and sit on a few bikes to get an idea about frame size. Bring a measuring tape with you to measure frame size as the clerks will only know wheel sizes. I can't recommend you doing this at a LBS unless you mean to purchase from them. However, you can waste the people's time at WalMart all you want. :)

Wow, thanks guys. I was mislead about the size. Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I think im going to back off this bike and keep looking. Btw is there anyway I can measure my size from home? I do have a tape ruler and a crappy 30lb Free Spirit road bike. But im not sure where to measure. Is it from the middle of the crank to the top of the seat? Any website I can check?

Thanks again everyone.
Mike

. But im not sure where to measure. Is it from the middle of the crank to the top of the seat? Any website I can check?

Try this site http://www.smartcycles.com/smartfit.htm
again good luck

mike-
since it sounds like you're just starting out i think you should really really just go to a bike shop and test ride with no intention of buying. there's nothing wrong with that and then you'll know if you feel more comfortable on a 54cm or 52cm or something like that.

Then find a bike made in the last 4 years or so with a Shimano 105 group that's $300 or less and buy it on ebay and you'll be in pretty good shape.

i disagree with Seely on this because although it's good to get info from an LBS (local bike shop) your $300 won't go anywhere and you'll never ever ever ever walk out with a bike with a nice Shimano 105 group for that - even though you don't know the difference between the component groups (as evinced by your comments to this point) the LBS isn't the place for you because there aren't any new road bikes at $300 or less and if there were they'd be total crap compared to the links that me and bianchi_rider have pasted for you.

just look for bikes like those in a 54 or 52cm once you figure out on your own (at a store, not with a tape measurer) what size you are.

good luck!

I was thinking used... our shop carries a pretty good selection of used bikes in the $300 price range. Ebay is a bad place to look for a bike though IMHO... often people don't know anything about shipping a bike, or you can add a $20 packing fee and $30 shipping to your bid, easily. People tend to overbid for whatever reason. I would say 90% of the bikes I've seen on ebay go for way more than they are worth, and you dont really know the condition until you get it. If an STI or Ergo shifter is worn, its $$$$$$ to replace or rebuild. When buying used I plan on replacing the cables, housings, chain and sometimes cassette right away... most people don't keep up on this maintenance.

Check your local cycling websites, thats where I typically find deals. Local clubs usually will have a classified section in their newsletters too. If you have a friend that knows about bikes they are very good to have with you when you go to look at a bike.

If you don't know anyone, ask the buyer if you can send him the money via Paypal, then have the bike inspected at a shop. I say use Paypal, b/c you have some recourse with the credit card company if the buyer has missrepresented the item.

I got pretty screwed on a roadbike several years ago when I was just starting out in cycling. The kid selling it was a "mechanic" at an LBS and sold me a 56cm Univega that was really a 52cm, the chain was shot, the cassette was shot, one of the shifters needed to be rebuilt, the cables were routed completely wrong, and after multiple trips to two of the best Campy mechanics in the midwest, no one could ever get it to shift completely accurately. Of course many phonecalls and emails went unanswered and I never saw the guy again. Thankfully it was a cheap bike and a mechanic bought it off me for what I paid, but I lost out on $145 in parts and labor.

Anyways thats my used rant. I guess I am generally not a big fan of buying used unless its from a shop b/c I know how easy it is to get taken, and how people smell blood when someone doesn't know much about bikes.

buying used is fine. it's pretty obvious you shouldn't be buying a nice road bike from a kid. you can tell when you talk to the person on the phone exactly what you're dealing with. i bought my used serotta from a knowledgeable guy and i'm happy. just know what you're doing.

anyway, www.wrenchscience.com has a fitting system. click on "get fit now with the WS program" or hopefully this direct link works: http://www.wrenchscience.com/WS1/Secure/Fitting/Height.asp

good luck.

sd

Knowledgeable people can screw you a lot easier than ignorant ones, in my experience. The "kid" I bought a road bike from was extremely knowledgeable, and when I say kid--he was 22, and worked for a reputable shop. Knowledgeable people can throw the jargon around and know how to cover things up better than someone who doesn't know what they are doing IMHO.