froang

Hi, this is my first post, so I apologize in advance if I do something frowned upon.
Anyway, I am a college student looking to get a single speed road bike to commute from home to school, and frankly I am torn between two different bikes right now.

This is the TREK:
https://corvallis.craigslist.org/bik/4822924919.html
This is the FUJI:
https://corvallis.craigslist.org/bik/4857779593.html

I am 5'7''-5'8''. I am aware that I should be looking at 54-55 cm frames, but I think either of these will do the job quite well.

Also, whilst helping me decide between the two bikes, ignore the price difference, assume they are both the same price.

Thanks!

Barrettscv 

It's a no-brainer, the Trek.

It's far more complete, original and is well maintained, if the description is correct.

froang

Sorry, I'm a complete noob to cycling, but what is so important about original parts?

icepick_trotsky 

If you want a single speed, be aware that you would need to do a bit of work to the Trek -- remove derailleurs/cables, replace freewheel with single cog, possibly redish the rear wheel, and remove one of the front chainrings. If you want it to be a fixed gear, then you would have to replace the rear wheel entirely.

That work is already done on the Fuji. However, the fact that the seller just wants to sell the whole bike instead of repair a flat tire leads me to believe that bike has been pretty neglected. Could be some problems with it, or it could be fine.

All things being equal, the Trek is a way better deal. Just ride the heck out of it as is, and decide if you want to switch it to a single speed later on.

RoadGuy

Be aware that bikes are worth more with the original parts in working condition.

If you buy the Trek and choose to butcher it by modifying it into a single speed, you are destroying the value. Do not expect to get anything for it when you are ready to sell it.

The Seller with the Fuji is in this situation. Nobody is going to pay a premium price in body a bike that has been modified into a single speed, an honest price for a butchered old bike turned into a single speed is $25-$50, if the frame can be salvaged (many frames are ruined by people sawing off the rear derailleur hangers and/or knocking off the shifter bosses on the downtube).

froang

Thanks, I took the advice of you bike aficionados, but unfortunately about 10 minutes or so afterwards, I got into a minor accident and now my front bike wheel is crooked. Do any of you have any idea of how much a new wheel will cost me?

oddjob2

Check in with your local not for profit bike cooperative for a used wheel. Otherwise, look at Velomine.com. The best wheelset value are the Mavix CXP22 with Shimano 105 hubs for $139.00. That is a front and rear rim. You may need a cassette as well. Otherwise if there is an REI nearby, they can set you up with an Alix, but it is much lower quality.

RoadGuy

Have you checked your local Craigslist?

The odds of finding a matching wheel with the same rim and wheel hub as the one you damaged are low, but you should be able to get a good used front wheel for $15-$30, or a matched set of used wheels for $20-$60.

I bought three sets of wheels from Craigslist Sellers for $10 (2 new sets) -$20 (one used set) last year.

a77impala

If you were in Austin TX I have a 700c front wheel I would give you. As you are not, put a wtb add on Craigslist, maybe someone in your area has a spare they want to part with!