valoskate724

I am looking into getting a road bike but since I am only in high school, my budget is extremely limited. The owners say it is from 1989. Do you guys think this is any good? If so, how much do you think it's worth? they are asking $375 which, frankly I think is way too much... I have yet to actually see it in real life. Is it worth checking out? (I understand that the pictures are terrible... but I have emailed the owners and they should be sending me more pictures shortly)

cb400bill

That's a small frame. How tall are you?

DMC707

I love Cannondale's ----

I paid $300 for a similar bike a few years back -------- Cannondale's generally hover around the $300 range pretty regularly

I like them and they are probably worth a $50 premium to me if its pretty clean and my size and doesnt need much ----After all even if i put new tires and a couple of hours of elbow grease into it --- they are still a heckuva lot more machine than a current bike in the 5-6 hundred dollar price range

But knowing your size is crucial -- this one looks like its ideal for someone around 5'4" or thereabouts

valoskate724

I'm 5'7"... they claim it is 53cm.

valoskate724

Here is another bike that looks to be a pretty good deal. He is asking only $195 for it
Cannondale Road Bicycle

oddjob2

Measured incorrectly to top of seat tube, looks more like a 49cm, for a rider under 5'3". You can ask the seller for the serial number, first two digits are the frame size. I'd keep looking.

You should consider what kind of riding you want the bike for? As a commuter, neither are well equipped, tires are narrow, limited clearance for wider tires, lack attachment points for rack. Gearing is tall too and you live in the mountains.

Also, are you married to an aluminum bike or will you consider steel? Can you get to Denver/Boulder as well?

valoskate724

I would consider steel but there are not many on the market right now... found a trek 1500 (80's) in pristine condition for $100 but I don't have a car and it was an hour and a half away and my parents refused to drive me... the guy sold it without me even getting a chance to look. So getting to denver/boulder isn't an option. I'm not getting a bike to commute... really just to go on bike rides with and maybe commute every once in a while to get somewhere when i need to. (currently on a pathetic excuse for a bike... 100$ department store bmx piece of trash...)

oddjob2

Well, if you're not even old enough to drive yet..........

Super clean Motobecane only $125

VINTAGE MOTOBECANE 10 speed

Drillium Dude 

Ask them to knock of $75 for that fugly bar tape

DD

repechage

Since middle school, heck grammar school, parental help was not an option. Be resourceful, any friends with transportation? Pay gas money, finding a deal on CL requires timing and transportation. Work on that.
Don't limit yourself to Cannondale but as a group they did not make cheap bikes, often it was the component set that gave the bike it's price bracket.
I would set aside $50-100 for post purchase work or upgrades.

bikemig 

That is such a solid deal at $125. Write the seller and tell him or her that you want the bike.

corrado33

Yes that first bike looks VERY small. The headtube is tiny! The green one below it is SLIGHTLY larger. The first one is surely too small for you. The second one may be as well, I can't tell.

That motobecane, on the other hand, looks like a winner in terms of price and size. (Not to mention it's gorgeous.)

I wouldn't pay $375 for the first cannondale. We sold a similar bike at our local coop for $150, although ours was not as well taken care of. You can get brand new, OK bikes for $375 at your local bike store. Taken care of, those bikes would last a lifetime.

There is a bike swap on the 30th of april in colorado springs if you're willing to wait a month for a good deal.

RoadGuy

I'd say go look at the 2nd Cannondale. The green one with the GPX Group. GPX is a good solid performing group and will serve you well. $195 is reasonable if the bike is ride-off ready. But always ask for a discount off the initial asking price.

Most CL Sellers are expecting Buyers who want to shave the price and pad their asking prices so they can knock a little off when the Buyer asks. I'd go to check the bike out (check and riding conidtion, and fit). Offer $150 to start if it fits.

valoskate724

Thanks to you all for the input. I am going to check out both bikes (the motobecane and the green cannondale) this weekend and take both for test rides, and depending on what price i can negotiate both down to, how well they fit, how well i like the bike, etc. I will pick one. If my gut tells me to wait, I'm going to wait.

pooneil1

This green bike looks like the 1993 T700 that is if it has not been repainted and is a touring bike. I cannot tell from the pics if it has the braze ons for panniers which would identify it as a T series bike. Great bike for that money....I will go old school any day....just had my pristine 1989 T400 in mystic blue stolen a few weeks ago and was devastated. I bought it in NYC new and it had been everywhere with me....will never see it again but i did find the identical bike on eBay and grabbed it. If you google Cannondale catalogues you will come up with Cannondale Catalogs | VintageCannondale.com you will get a website that has just about every year. within each catalogue complete specs are there for frame geometry and size for every model...so you can figure out the best bike for your size.

cindy