Touring - Is this a good bicycle?? Please help!

So, I'm new to touring and have been looking at bicycles. New ones are so expensive, so I looked into Craigslist. Is this a good deal? Will it fit me if I am a female that is 5 ft 8 in?? I want to eventually do some long tours, would this be up for that?? Here's the link: http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/bik/3566331144.html

Thank you so much!!

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/windsor/tourist.htm

http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_522412_-1___202396

^ same frameset as the fuji touring in the cl ad

Looks clean and ready to ride with some specific upgrades for the current owner. I have a 2009 Fuji touring and like it a lot, but have not toured on it. It's my commuter and occasional century bike. The bike may fit you but the current owner has it setup for a larger rider, so you may need to swap stem and bars for better fit. I'd say its worth looking at but I'd want to buy it for $400 or less especially if you need to swap the parts.

Sounds good

I think this is a good bike but not worth $500. As stated by jettore, $400 or less would be more appropriate. Most of the modifications/upgrades that the owner has listed don't necessarily add value to the bike.

A bike that needs new wheels has been ridden hard, far, or hard and far.
You won't know if it fits until you ride it.
Good luck in your search for a touring bike.
Don't feel compelled to buy any bike, regardless of price, until you know it is the right size for you.

Happie, Welcome to the forum.

Ride the bike to determine fitment. Realize that more likely than not some item(s) will need to be replaced for a better fit and that's a barganing tool. Otherwise there's nothing about the bike itself that I find alarming.

Brad

I met a guy in Glacier N. P. who was riding one of these from Buffalo, NY to Portland OR. He liked it a lot. He did say he had to replace the stock rear wheel around Yellowstone. I think it should work fine.

If you plan to tour in areas with significant hills and/or mountains, you will probably want to lower the gearing. A low gear of 28x28 is not that low. To give you a frame of reference, the stock Surly LHT comes with a 26x34 low gear.