lindsjl

I'm fairly new to cycling and am looking for a solid entry level bike. I found someone selling a 58cm Cannondale Road Bike and asking $350 obo. The only information I have gotten on the bike is that it is in good condition with new tires and that all the components are Shimano RX100. I have no idea the quality of this bike, what it's really worth, and if it'd be a good starting bike. Can anyone help please?

digger531

Need more info. Year and model just to start and the only way to get a good appraisal is with pics.

lindsjl

Here is a pic, was told it's a 1991. Just asked for model information - will post once I get a response.

Chombi

$350 is a bit too high for a bike like that, as the Shimano RX100 components on it are a step lower than mid level in Shimano's groupset linup back then. A "fairer" price for a bike like that in very good, close to new condition would be more in the $250ish +- price level, with the frame pretty much driving the price up to that point as it is the bigger selling point of that bike, IMO. If the bike had at least a Shimano 105 or 600 group on it, then the $350 asking price might be in the ball park...depending on condition, of course.....

Chombi

lindsjl

Thank you! Could you give me a recommendation on what would be a decent starting bike at a lower price point - or where to look for one. Other than CL I'm not sure where to look or what parts I want to get and stay away from.

Chombi

Lower than $250 or $350??
You actually found a good one with that Cannondale, except that it's a bit over priced by the seller. If you can deal it down to the $250 level I suggested then you're on the right track.
But going lower than $250 is a buit more challenging, as you take a big hit going that low with the bike's quality, which might just force you sooner than later to look for another better bike again to amtch your cycling abilities....
If you do have to go lower, you might consider looking for a mid to late 80's French bike like a Peugeot. Their entry level bikes might not retain that much value, but they are very good riders and much better than no-name "department store" bikes that will sell for just a bit lower prices sometimes. As an example, check out Peugeot's model PH11 or PH12 if you can find one (make sure it from at least 1985 and newer so there will be no harder to find French threaded and sized stuff on it). Good examples usually go for $150 to $200, in very good condition. They're steel framed bikes made from Peugoet's own HLE tubing which provides a very "lively" ride and makes for a very strong but still light frame. Good thing with these older Peugeot bikes is you can mod them up easily as you go to match up to your advancing needs (lighter wheels, better derailleurs and saddle.....etc). But be aware that these older Peugeots do not usually have indexed shifitng, so you will need to learn the older way of shifting with downtube mounted levers with friction adjustment. Many classic and vintage bikers prefer that way of shifting anyway, and if you get to learn it good, index shifting will be peanuts if you get a bike later with it. You can upgrad these older bikes to index shifting if you do prefer to do so, but that will be an added investment which you might be able to trasfer on to another newer frame later.
Another good bike to check out is the 1985 Peugeot model PGN. They usually go for about $250 or slightly more for ones in mint/NOS condition, but lately the prices on them had been depressed and you might find one for a bargain. A much better mid level model bike than the PH11 or PH12 (which are entry level models). with much better materials and components.

Good luck with your first bike search and tell us how it goes!

Chombi

lindsjl

Oh no, not lower than 350. I'm sorry, I meant lower price in general - say $700 or under. I have seen the older Peugeot's you mentioned but would like something newer. I've been borrowing a friends TREK - much nicer model than I can afford, but have gotten used to it's shifting and ride.

digger531

Hurts my arse just looking at that one. If that is a cassette hub on the back (8spd or more) $300 isnt out of the world.

zukahn1 

Actually for first used road bike most of us here would consider $700 getting into upper mid range maybe even some fairly nice high end stuff. When we think of lower price stuff on used bikes it usually stuff well under $300. For $600-700 you can get a fairly nice bike new on sale from LBS's. Considering your budget I would do some more looking on CL and check out what various shops in your local have available new and used this will give you a better feel for what's out there and you might just find a bike while your looking. I know a lot of the shops where I'm at in Denver have good selection of really nice bikes ready to ride within your budget.

Also your location can help a lot when giving price info and with this some of the guys here may be able to give you some suggestions bike wise.

oddjob2

Finding the right bike starts with knowing what size you need. A 58cm is about right for someone about 5'9"-6'1".

Then decide how you will use it. If it's to commute to school or work, a newer Cannondale or Trek cannot be left locked up outside all day, secure storage is a must. If it's just for recreation and exercise, and the bike won't be left out in the open, then get whatever your budget allows. Also, do you need accessories like racks, fenders, lights, wider tires, etc. Racing frames may not accomodate these items, but a touring, sport, or hybrid would.

Steel, aluminum, and carbon frames all ride very differently, so you should try them all.

Finding a good used bike takes time and patience, but if you sense it is a deal, "you've got to pounce" (a wrk101 quote). With your budget, you can probably find a very nice Trek, Cannondale, Fuji, Specialized, Raleigh, Schwinn, or Peugeot to fit your needs. I picked up a 2006 Trek Pilot 1.2 a few weeks ago that looks brand new, for about 25% of replacement value. Heaven knows I don't need another bike, but the deal was right. I still don't know why a rider needs 24 or is it 27 speeds?

A clean used bike with shiny paint usually is a good indicator on whether the seller/owner has taken care of the bike. Cable adjustments and a basic safety check usually run about $40 at a local bike shop. If the wheel and crank bearings need work too, then you're at $150.

The men and women on this C & V forum with over a few hundred posts have bought and sold many bikes, some in the hundreds, and several are active or retired cycling industry professionals. Their knowledge has been acquired over years and years and they are happy to share their expertise.

Chombi

+1 on Zukahn's comments above....
700 bucks can possibly get you a nice, very good condition Reynolds 531 Peugeot Super Competition race bike these days, which is now way a "beginner" C&V bike. Such a bike might include the idiosyncracies that come with French components, but you can always take that more of a challenge the makes the bike a unique from most others you will encounter out there, and that could be fun....
For 700ish bucks, you can even consider a good number of early carbon fiber bikes (From Vitus, Specialized, Look/TVT, Alan, Giant....etc..) which were mostly top of the line offerings from manufacturers in the 80's and early 90's as their prices have been depressed for some years now because of their mostly undeserved (IMO) reputation of supposedly having lots of frame bonding problems. Yes there were some that fell apart, but it was more of the exception than the majority. So you can take advantage of that and end up with a great bargain with a top of the line C&V CF bike!

Chombi

Rocketrobo

Just curiously. Can't find the pic.

zukahn1 

OK here it is