General Cycling Discussion - Good deal?

58 cm 1997 Cannondale R500 road bike for sale. Aluminum frame & fork. Shimano RSX components, triple chainring, 12-27 cassette. SPD clipless pedals. Completely overhauled spring 2001. Two water bottle cages. Polished aluminum finish with black logos. Mavic CXP10 wheels. Always well maintained, about 8,000 lifetime miles on bike. $400.

Would be used for training rides, duathlons, and a few other long bike rides.

Sounds o.k. I'd offer less, I think that bike was probably around a grand new, so $400 is a decent price if it's been well maintained.

The first question I'd ask is when was the last time the chain and cassetter were replaced. Nothing worse than buying a bike and having to drop another $50 to $75 bike for a new drivetrain.

Next ? Is it your right size? If it's not, than no matter how cheap it is, it's a bad deal! What's your inseam measurement. If less than a 34", the bike may be too big for you!

Use this quick formula:

Inseam (in inches) x 2.54 cm/in (to convert to metric) X.667 to determine frame size.

for e.g.:

34" inseam X 2.54 cm/in = 86.36 cm X .667 = 57.6 cm approximate frame size. Round up to a 58 cm frame.

This is not a hard and fast rule, just a quick way to target a starting point for test riding. I've got short stubby legs, and a long torso. My calculation puts me on a 54 cm frame, but felt more comfortable on a 56 cm Cannondale. I ended up buying a 55cm LeMond. Note: LeMond measures Center of bottom bracket (bb) to Center of top tube(tt), not center of bb to top of tt like most companies Therefore, a 55 cm LeMond is equivalent to another co's 56cm.

Good luck otherwise.
L8R

I'll hit the LBS tomorrow and test ride a 58cm Cannondale to check fit. I was thinking about offering $325.

Never hurts to ask! I say ride a 58 first, then make the offer!

Here is the email I got concerning the bike mentioned above. I will visit the LBS today to see how a 58 fits me.

"By "completely overhauled" I mean that it was completely taken apart and rebuilt last April. I should say that I hit a dog (a dog hit me) and I flipped on the bike. The bike sustained a dent in the top tube from where the handlebar end hit it, and the wheels became slightly out-of-true. While I recuperated, I had my LBS do the overhaul. All new bearings, cables, cable housings, new chain, wheels trued, everything cleaned, tuned, adjusted, and lubed. They said the dent would give no performance problems, and I have not noticed any issues with it. The bike is very quick & responsive, with a stiff firm ride. Tracks very well down hills and always very stable. I am a clean-freak and have kept it in good repair and polished."

Here are the pictures he sent:

http://icdweb.cc.purdue.edu/~kobyj/bike1.jpg
http://icdweb.cc.purdue.edu/~kobyj/bike2.jpg
http://icdweb.cc.purdue.edu/~kobyj/bike3.jpg

The bike sustained a dent in the top tube from where the handlebar end hit it, and the wheels became slightly out-of-true.
The strength of that top tube has been compromised. From what you said, I would assume that the frame was bent, also. Did you have it aligned? Was the mechanic at the bike shop really knowlegable?
FWIW, if I were looking for a bike like yours, I'd offer about $200 less than it's value due to the damage to that top-tube. It's going to be a hard sell with that kind of damage-there are plenty of better frames around.
Always expect that used merchandise is less than what it is described as-it usually is!

My brother's got a Cannondale with an identical dent from the handlebars hitting it. The bike seems to be holding up fine in the three years or so since it happened.

Still if I was going to buy a bike in this condition, I wouldn't pay the asking price, however low it is. You should be able to beat him down some if you really want the bike.

I can fit a 58. When I straddle the bike, I can pick it up about 1 inch. I am going to test ride it Saturday. If it feels good riding, I think I'll offer him $300 unless anybody thinks differently. What should I look/feel for while riding?

By the way, around here, a R500 new costs $1100. I checked while at the LBS.