yuletide

Hey C&Vers!
Trying to make sure I don't get taken for a ride (heh) buying my first road bike on craigslist.

Posted something on the road bike forum and someone mentioned that the folks here might be able to help with the specific prices. I want to have a decent idea how much they're actually worth before I go take a look...

Univega Gran Rally Road Bike $220
A friend said it'd be a decent deal at $200, but after reading on here it seems people pick these up for $50-100 all the time?
https://inlandempire.craigslist.org/bik/1886164616.html

ITALIAN ROAD BIKE: TORPADO $300
This one is intriguing. Has the Shimano 105, which would be nice, but I know nothing about the rest of the bike...
https://inlandempire.craigslist.org/bik/1886480476.html

Last one I could find was this one. Not quite as nice looking:
58cm ITALIAN TORELLI ROAD BIKE SUPER NICE BIKE WITH CAMPAGNOLO (unknown year)
he's asking $350, and a friend said it'd be a decent deal for $300? Seems a lot for a used bike of unknown quality (albeit a name brand?)
https://inlandempire.craigslist.org/bik/1886457543.html


I'd like to get moving on this soon, but if neither of these look like a good deal/starter bike then I can keep looking. Not such a great selection out here, but I may start looking at nearby towns (LA) to see what they've got goin...

Thanks! Excited to finally get riding again...

mkeller234

The Torpado with the 105 STI levers seems like a decent bike to me, but the spray paint is a major turn off. See if the seller knows what tubing the frame is made with. Judging by the head tube I would take a tape measure with me too.

The Univega is pretty sweet and 220 might not be terrible but I think it's pushing it.

I don't know much about the Torelli but the Campagnolo group looks like one of their mid-range offerings and the MTB pedals look hoopty. Again, you might want to ask about the tubing.


Also, in the future there is now a separate forum for C&V appraisals.

sykerocker 

Wrong section. Requests for appraisals go into the C&V appraisal section, one entry down in the opening menu.

Juha

I'm moving this (from C&V to C&V Appraisals). Carry on...

--Juha, a Forum Mod

wrk101

While some of us routinely find bikes in the $50 to $100 range, those are people that look for bikes every day, are willing to chase after a bike immediately (right now, not just when it is convenient), and are willing to drive quite a distance to pick up bikes. My last pickups were 2 1/2 hours away, each way. $35 each.

The Torpedo is an STI bike, but the rattlecan paint job is a huge negative. So I would pass. The Univega has a mix of components, Frenkenbike. No thanks. That leaves the Torelli. It looks interesting, would need to see it in person. Is the fork original? Pedals are ridiculous. But replacements are pretty cheap.

tmh657

I have seen that Univega listed for awhile now so the guy might be firm on the price even though it says OBO. It looks decent though.

I would not personally want a spray painted bike unless it was about 1/3 that price. FWIW I just flipped a bike with 105 STI's and the control for the rear derailleur did not work 100%. You would have to make darn sure it was fully functional if you considered that bike.

The Torelli looks pretty decent but it doesn't look like the seller knows how to present it properly. The saddle position is a weee bit off and pedals are gross. Probably a flipper and he harvested the good pedals and maybe the saddle. I still like the bike.

FWIW there are bikes for $50 to $100 but they need a lot of work, the skills and tools to do that work, parts replaced, etc.

If you can't find something in the IE expand your search to Orange County, it's only 30 miles so closer than LA. Good luck and be patient. The good bikes are out there.

spathfinder3408

I had a Gran Rally univega a few months ago and sold it for $250 on CL. I foung it at Value Village for $100. I am a bike mechanic/flipper that watches the thrift stores and CL on a regular basis. I buy bikes that need some fine tuning, tires replaced ect. Its a well made lightweight steel framed bike. You don't have the patience and ability to do some mechanical work you can find deals. If want something in good shape now , then $200 for that bike is a fair deal. The Italian Torelli sounds like a decent bike , but you'll pay a premium for the Campy group. I have had both and personally don't think its worth twice the money. Try to stay with a bike that hasn't been spray painted. better original . Good luck on search.

yuletide

Thanks for the great advice all around. (and sorry for posting in the wrong forum!)
Think I'll either grab the uni or keep looking and see what turns up... Don't think I have time to test ride until later this week anyways!

robtown

In your area (or mine - Wash D.C.) the Univega is not priced too high. It's ready to ride and 600 level components are good. Offer $200 but pay $220 and do it asap.
I disagree with it being a mismatch of components, the aero brake levers are a good upgrade.

MikesChevelle

Our CL here in STL is a pretty good one. Just barely not enough of a bike town that bike prices arent crazy high, but there are plenty of them to choose from. PLus you can almost name you price when you re-sell something

In the past few months I have bought and sold :

Klein Custom - Bought for $45, sold for $400

Schwinn Paramount Series 7 - $115 sold for $285

Nishiki Prestige Proportional - $50 sold for $225

Trek 412 - Bought for $50 - Sold for $150

Centurion Sports Dlx - Bought for $80 sold for $150

I am currently riding this, Its to nice to flip and I bought it for $65

yuletide

So last week was crazy and I missed the last batch of bikes, but alas, there are more:

Univega Viva Sport $180 https://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb...896115901.html
Centurion LeMans RS (Suntour Cyclone) $200 https://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv...895962051.html
Miyata 710 (Suntour Cyclone) $300 https://inlandempire.craigslist.org/bik/1900143777.html
Univega Gran Rally (Shimano 600) $200 https://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb...892097090.html (tho its a teeny bit bigger (58cm) than I was looking initially (56-57cm)

The LA ones are harder to get to than the IE but still feasible

wrk101

The good deals don't last long enough for a posting "What is this worth?". You are better off studying various threads on this forum, and then launching immediately when a good deal pops up. In larger and even medium sized cities, there are going to be other buyers out there scooping up deals.

Viva Sport: Kind of slapped together, wrong DT shifters. Sloppy. Look at the picture of the Gran Rally below, for what the shifters should look like. While this is a relatively minor detail, it speaks to the lack of care and effort in the rehab. What about items you can't see?

Centurion: A little dirty, some rusty fasteners, but the best deal of the four. It is the only one of these four that I would go after.

Miyata: Way over priced, over the top.

Univega Gran Rally: Probably a replacement fork = crashed bike.