Road Cycling - Is this an okay deal?

I have a line on an end-of-season 2003 Raleigh Capri FWO (for women only; I need a bike proportioned for a woman). Al frame, 105 and comparable components. I believe it retailed for about US$1000. They're now asking $800, and I might be able to get a 15% discount as a local bike org member. I'll have to throw a slightly longer seatpost and a man's saddle on it; the LBS is willing to swap out a 70mm stem (I have a VERY short reach; like I said, I need a women's-proportioned bike). The 411 on this bike is at http://www.raleighusa.com/items.asp?deptid=5&itemid=25&va=2 . For 2004, they've gone to more coventionally-spoked 28-spoke wheels, and are no longer featuring the 54cm frame.

So is that a good price, on what is effectively a new bike? I s'pose I should find out if the regular warranty is in effect.

just fyi... you will not get 15% on a bike as part of a club discount. the margin on bikes is less than 30% -- usually closer to 25% at the midrange -- and it looks like they've got the bike discounted already.

having said that, $800 for a decent quality, 105-equipped bike sounds like a good value.

www.gios.it

Notice the Top Tube length on the 54 cm Super Record 78 model. Same as on the 54cm Raleigh Capri. Significantly longer chainstays for more comfort, the seat angle is the same, 74 deg, for a similar seat position, and both wheels are the same size. You should have a higher front end on this which will give you a more upright position for more comfort, and the longer wheelbase with the all steel frame should be a more comfy ride and should fit your special needs. :)

Actually, the top tube on the Gios is almost a cm longer. Yeah, the chainstays are about 6mm longer than on the Raleigh. The 700 front might get me right back to the toe interference problems I was having with my previous roadie. Well, in any event, I bought the Raleigh a coupla weeks back. Had a biodynamic fitting done; the guy said that for an off-the-rack bike, it was as close to ideal geometry for me as I could find. Except for the front brifter getting nicked when I got right hooked the other day, I've been happy with it.

Oh, and velo was right, the 15% discount was off the menu. Fah, like I should mind! That LBS is very supportive of the local bike community. Warranty still applies (LBS already fixed a sticky freehub pawl). Only downside is the god-awful "THIS IS A WOMEN'S BIKE" graphics job. Oh, and I noticed the 650 front is MUCH more jarring on harsh roads (which are aplenty here).