Should I buy this 1998 Titanium bike for $650
 

http://tampa.craigslist.org/hil/bik/1600938228.html

TEXT FROM THE AD:

Up for sale is a size 57 Litespeed "Tachyon" titanium triathlon/time trial bike. I am the original owner (purchased in 1998), and have had many great races on it. It is equipped with a combination Dura-Ace and Ultegra components. It has a bladed carbon fiber "Carbonaero" fork. The clip on aerobars are Syntace. The wheels are Shamino WH-7700 size 650c. It is a nine speed. As you can see from the photo, I have Ultegra STI shifters. It can be easily converted to bar-end shifters if you like. I totally disassembled the bike and cleaned everything. All the cables and cable housings are new. I am 5' 11" with about a 32" inseam and it fits great. I have removed the original decals from the frame, but these can be purchased from Litespeed if one wanted to have the decals. The bike is in generally very nice condition. Pedals are not included. This is a great bike for someone who wants a high-quality bike without the $3500++ cost for a new titanium bike.


What do you think? Good deal?

nah its funny looking

It's certainly not C&V, but at least it has a level top tube.

The seller seems to know what he's got, as opposed to the clueless seller that often doesn't yet still wants way too much. I think it's worth checking out, assuming the frame is straight, undented, uncracked, etc.

If it had 700c wheels I'd say yes but those 650's are deal killer for me. Its Craigslist, if you show up with crisp 100's you could probably get it for $600.

What size bike are you looking for?

This stand over height is just right for me but to be quite honest I thought it was such a low price for a decked out titanium bike l that I might end up selling it .

Thanks for the feedback, I think I shall pass. It's to much of a specialty bike , I think I was dazzled by titanium and dura-ace.

If it was designed for 650's then yes, it is a specialty bike and has very limited market.

I like Ti a lot, but that bike just looks out of balance. 650 is the killer for me, too.

+I do know a bit about titanium bikes. If it didn't have 650's, I'd say jump on it.

The 650s are a deal killer, so is the carbon fork, so are the wheels.

Plus, this is a really funky setup for a tri-bike, with the seat about level with the bars, which makes me think that the bike is larger than you might think it is, like a 56 or even a 58 cm bike.

It's a 57, per the ad.
-Gene-

Does a bike need to have a level top tube to be considered C&V? I did not know that.

http://i461.photobucket.com/albums/q...n/dec98b-1.jpg

from La Porte Indiana 1893