PearlMudder

Hello,

Looking at purchasing my first road bicycle for commuting as my ancient cars engine blew a bearing (scrapped for $50 to junkyard) and I need a less expensive mode of transportation. I've been riding my girlfriends hybrid and decided I enjoy cycling. I feel better, more fit and energetic at work.

I live in Victoria, BC and it's quite hospitable to cyclists. I have a 20-40 minute commute and will probably be commuting in the winter. It rarely snows and I'll bus if it does, however there is light to moderate drizzle at least half the year.

I found one bike for $500, the Apollo, I think it's a mkIV based on the paint job, didn't get the specifics. I test drove it and it has friction stem shifters that I'm less than stoked on and also drop bars that are too narrow for me, but otherwise the new tires made for a smooth ride and I enjoyed the bike. It recently had a tune-up and the kid selling it has clearly taken good care of it.

I would want to change to wider drops (44cm I think) (handlebars sourced at $40) which I believe would require breaks & hoods, I'm thinking bar-end shifters, maybe shimano ($80), new cable/housing, and tape and maybe a new stem/clamp setup. I want to do the work myself unless I get super stuck - in which case there's a Trek shop down the road who've been really nice, idk if they'd help with off-brand cycles though..

I talked the guy down to $420 at the test drive, debated it for a night, offered $300 (based on upgrade costs) and said sorry for the lowball offer expecting a counter, he said $380 and I think I could probably do it but I don't know if it's worth it for a low-end 70s bike. Not a lot of options on craigslist/local used sites around here for men so just asking around. I'd also add fenders, a rack and eventually a brooks leather seat. So, all in, opinions/comments appreciated, let me know what's up!

Thanks,
Pearlmudder

brian3069

$500 is CRAZY for that bike, You can do much better, educate yourself or you'll overpay.

PearlMudder

Would $300 be crazy? there arent alot of options around me and I have looked high and low, from every bike store, every website, even to the recycling place here in town. Idk, I dont have $1300 for a brand new Trek Crossrip or even the $850 for a Specialized Sirrus Elite Disc. As much as they'd be okay, plus theres a chance of being ripped off. Plus I work in construction so it could get pretty beat up being thrown in the backs of trucks and shee. But i still want something kind of adequate..nice anyway.

brian3069

I checked your Craigslist, you're right it's slim pickings. That's a hundred dollar bike in my part of the world, it may be a $300 bike in Victoria.

I like this Miyata better, would it fit you.


Red ChromeMoly Miyata Road Bike - Tuned Up

PearlMudder

Yeah its terrible...although there are like 4:1 female to male ratio so really...lifes not that bad here haha! Just the used bike options. I have looked at that ad before, while im not a fan of red bicycles - just irks me - it is an option..

Would it be a better option for $300 than the apollo if I can talk him down? already has the drop bars but I'd still want to change out stem shifters to bar-ends

PearlMudder

Its not like im set on the Apollo, dont get me wrong, it requires alot of upgrades to be right for me and at its price...meh.

I found a $120 Nishiki

Nishiki Rally

Would maybe be a better option to tune up and learn bike mechanics on, add the personalized stuff like bar-ends and a brooks seat that I can move from bike to bike...Cheaper bike=more money to play with upgrades and desires

Here's another Nishiki - Same price

brian3069

4:1 you say, I'll trade you for inexpensive bikes.

The Miyata is about 10 pounds lighter, chromoly frame, Aluminum, cranks and rims. The Apollo looks to have steel rim, that's a terrible braking surface in wet conditions.

The Miyata just a nicer bike.

brian3069

I like the second Nishiki, how tall are you?. The Nishiki is smaller then the Apollo.

PearlMudder

Well it is a university/college/hippie-tourist-girl town

I talked the kid down to $320 from his original quote of $500. I like the bike, and it actually stopped faster than a $1300 Trek Crossrip with disc brakes... Idk. Im sure you're right. I'll figure it out man thanks for all the help.

brian3069

Cool, the only thing that really matters is that you're happy.

PearlMudder

Good point.

I found this Nishiki Europa all retuned and this Apollo Gran Sport in Vancouver, so add $30 for ferry riding and a weekend day "wasted" for bikes that essentially cost more. I read in the Ultimate Apollo thread that the Gran sport was worth $120 to someone but required some work. And the first one of the page which to me is a beaut cost the guy only $40! Where do you FIND these things!!! dang! I wish.

I like the black Nishiki, slick looking, heard good things about certain of their bikes. And again I read in the aforementioned thread that the Gran Sport could be worth it but its freakin $449...

Yikes! How hard to get a suitable bike I'll enjoy!

curbtender

Recyclistas Might be some good info on where to get a used bike... Also, if you want to up it a bit... Roubaix Specialized Road Bike

PearlMudder

Going to check them out tomorrow!
This is quite a ways away from me and also in the states, I was looking at the roubaix in stores but the price scared me away

holden west

The map places that about 100 yards offshore. I'd be concerned about salt damage.

$500 for that model Apollo would be a great deal if it were still sealed in the original box. Heck, I paid $500 for my Cramerotti including the commission as it came from a Victoria bike shop's consignment rack. Check those out as consignment bikes are seldom advertised and are often nicely tuned up.

curbtender

I see, came up as close by...Good luck.