Southern California - Good first bike?

Ok, so I posted a while back seeking advice on what kind of bike to buy for my first bike...I've done a ton of research over the past few months, scoured the archives for some good insight (as well as google), but nothing conclusive. I think I need a push in one direction over the other.

Found this http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sgv/bik/2798390596.html on CL - Univega Nuovo Sport (took me a few "zooms" on the pic to figure that out). Seems like the Nuovo Sport is really common in the LA area. Has 100% original Suntour components. From what I've read, they were big on 80's bikes - so I'm guessing this is a vintage 80's bike.

My question, is this a good buy for $200-220 if I can negotiate...or should I just bite the bullet and buy a new "newbie" bike from bikesdirect?

I am intrigued by vintage road bikes and it looks like it's in great shape. I just want to be happy with my first bike purchase and it's taking me forever to decide...

Thanks for the help in advance

Finding replacement parts might be a little tough. If you are just going to tool around it's fine. If you are going to race
you might want to consider something else. The bike looks great, yea you could get them down 20 bucks. 220 means 200.

I never considered the parts as an issue, so thanks for that. Again, I don't really know how often these things break aside from the flat tire or bent rim, etc,.

It's a very overwhelming first step. Not entirely sure what I'm going to get in to. I could fall in love and want to just start biking all over. I remember as a kid I loved it, that was over 15 years ago. I don't think I'd get in to racing, but I am interested in cross. Trails, in addition to asphalt, are an alluring prospect.

If I could swing the money for a first bike, I'd get a Genesis Equilibrium (http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/road/equilibrium/equilibrium-00) I just fell in love with the paint and style. So beautiful.

The issue is budget...and the fact that I don't even know if I will keep up with it, even though I really want to stop being lazy and wasting time on my couch while I could be out exploring...smh

Here's where I got my comfort bike, they are selling a genesis Mtb. http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/bik/2797018895.html They are pretty cool and the money they raise is for a non profit.
In san gabriel you have a ton of trails so this might be nice.

A
few more to check:
Genesis G500 http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/bik/2796059258.html
Genesis Fixie? http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/bik/2798662402.html
Comfy hybrid http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sgv/bik/2796791368.html

Here's where I got my comfort bike, they are selling a genesis Mtb. http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/bik/2797018895.html They are pretty cool and the money they raise is for a non profit.
In san gabriel you have a ton of trails so this might be nice.

Good point, and very charitable cause. However, I don't really think I was leaning in the direction of mtb, but I will keep it in mind. At the moment, I want the speed of a road bike as my first priority - trails can come later.

I never considered the parts as an issue, so thanks for that. Again, I don't really know how often these things break aside from the flat tire or bent rim, etc,.

It's a very overwhelming first step. Not entirely sure what I'm going to get in to. I could fall in love and want to just start biking all over. I remember as a kid I loved it, that was over 15 years ago. I don't think I'd get in to racing, but I am interested in cross. Trails, in addition to asphalt, are an alluring prospect.

If I could swing the money for a first bike, I'd get a Genesis Equilibrium (http://www.genesisbikes.co.uk/bikes/road/equilibrium/equilibrium-00) I just fell in love with the paint and style. So beautiful.

The issue is budget...and the fact that I don't even know if I will keep up with it, even though I really want to stop being lazy and wasting time on my couch while I could be out exploring...smh

If thats the kind of riding you might get into you may want to look into a hybrid or a front suspension mTn bike with front fork lockout. That might be more universal than an 80's road bike.

one more: http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sgv/bik/2790961486.html

If thats the kind of riding you might get into you may want to look into a hybrid or a front suspension mTn bike with front fork lockout. That might be more universal than an 80's road bike.

Point taken...I might rethink my plan of attack and maybe stretch my budget out a bit. I figured, if I'm going to want to do it more, might as well spend a bit more and be happy, than be stingy and end up hating it...I'll probably stop by my LBS tomorrow and test some bikes out to see what I like. I'll post my experience. Think I'll try Pasadena Cyclery first

That Giant looks pretty good if its your size. Also check out Budget Bikes in Eagle Rock

I checked out budget...didn't fall in love with anything. Checked out Temple City and walked out with a Spec CruX Elite...I just couldn't get the test ride out of my head. I upped my budget and bit the bullet...got a reallly good deal on the '11 model.

Now just need to start putting time behind the bars and upgrading.

Thanks for the help :)

Some people ride the road on 'cross bikes and do pretty well. Got knobbies?

The best first bike is any bike you want to ride. My re-entry bike was a dumpster-sourced beach cruiser. It was a joy to ride. Boogied around for a year on it, then bought a decent mountain bike.

I checked out budget...didn't fall in love with anything. Checked out Temple City and walked out with a Spec CruX Elite...I just couldn't get the test ride out of my head. I upped my budget and bit the bullet...got a reallly good deal on the '11 model.

Now just need to start putting time behind the bars and upgrading.

Thanks for the help :)

Great bike! Nice job.

Some people ride the road on 'cross bikes and do pretty well. Got knobbies?

Yes I do. Might consider a second pair of tires (or might just hot swap wheel sets) later on down the road, but it's not bad for the ride. Love having the option of blazing trails if I want to without a serious speed detriment. Currently got the stock wheel on there.


The best first bike is any bike you want to ride. My re-entry bike was a dumpster-sourced beach cruiser. It was a joy to ride. Boogied around for a year on it, then bought a decent mountain bike.

Haha that was my mentality exactly. I don't know...I kinda just decided to cut to the chase. I'm not a very patient person. lol


Great bike! Nice job.

Thanks man! It is pretty sweet indeed, stretched my budget real thin for it, but I knew if I wanted to get serious about it, I had to make a serious investment.

I'm loving my single-speed bike that I got off of Craigslist for $100. With a few upgrades (new seat, new bars...), it's an awesome bike - perfect for my needs. Rode it this weekend for 20 miles...here are the results (http://connect.garmin.com/dashboard?cid=12168188).

I wrote about it in my blog (http://flipmack.wordpress.com).

Basically, ride whatever bike makes you want to ride it again.