bluebossa4

Hey all, i need some help.

I'm new to bikes and I want to get a good deal....

Does this bike in this link seem like a good bike, or is it a piece of junk"

https://austin.craigslist.org/bik/3071439332.html

Thanks for your help...

sfotex

Nice bike, XC pro was high end stuff at the time, Univega made some nice bikes alos.
That's a nice ride for $120. It's dated of course, but for laps on the green belt, around town that would work well.

wrk101

First, I have a 1989 Alpina Pro and it is a really nice bike.

Unfortunately, the one you linked to, although it started as a nice bike, looks like a slap worn out, rode hard, hung up wet bike. And what the heck is it doing with a claw RD hanger? Is the frame damaged?

Guy acts like he just fixed it up, the tires don't match, and look like they both just came out of the trash.

Given the obvious visual appearance of the bike (bad), I would not trust a thing I cannot see: stuff like wheel hubs, bottom bracket, etc.

I would pass.

bluebossa4

You're making a good point, wrk.

https://austin.craigslist.org/bik/3077815737.html

What about this bike?

I called the guy and he didn't know anything about it. Not the size or anything but his 5'4 wife used it and it was too big for her. I'm 5'6 so maybe it'll fit me.

So about the bike, he knew ABSOLUTELY nothing. And I don't know how to tell if it was/is a good bike...

Thanks again for any help...

sfotex

The schwinn is a junker. It's cheap though. So, the first bike is a mountain bike, the 2nd one is a road bike, what do you want to do with the bike your buying?

bluebossa4

So how is it that you can tell that the Schwinn is a junker?

And...
I'm mostly going to ride on the road. But I would probably ride offroad some. However, I have a crappy mtb already and I really would like to get a descent, bargain road bike to try it out. After searching craigslist for bikes, I've become intrigued by road bikes. I initially only wanted a hybrid or a rigid or hard-tail mtb.

wrk101

"I'm new to bikes and I want to get a good deal...."

Want a good deal? Bad news, in any financial transaction, the one with the most knowledge, wins. This is true whether you are buying a car, a home, or even a bicycle. Based on your description, you are not that person. So the solution, spend some time getting educated on what makes a bike good, and what price is a good deal, then pounce. Without that effort to get knowledge, you will be counting on luck to save the day. While its possible to get lucky, the odds are relatively low, compared to being an educated buyer. The great news is that with the internet, you can become a knowledgeable buyer in a couple of hours, really! So the choice is yours.



+1 Junker. Probably worth the $50 price. The good stuff, particularly road bikes, start at about $200 (good MTBs start at about $100). This does not stop someone with junk asking a "good bike" price.

Signs of junker: One piece crank. Add to that stem shifters, steel rims, various steel parts. Myself, I would rather spend more and get something decent. Or spend some time getting educated on what makes a good bike, and then finding a deal.

Really, in a town the size of Austin, a bike for $50 that is still available = junk. Anything decent at that price would be gone in 15 minutes or less, and then a lot of them reappear a week or two later at a much higher price.

Decent and bargain road bike? Education is the key, followed by pursuing other sales outlets: word of mouth, garage sales, etc. Just realize the "best" deals are neglected bikes, and unless you have the tools/time/aptitude/access to cheap parts, picking up a neglected bike, even a free one, can be a loser.

If you don't have the tools and aptitude, then a co-op, like the one mentioned below, is a godsend. It also can be a good source of parts and even bikes.

sfotex

There are some bike coops and the yellow bike program in Austin where you can volunteer some time to learn about working on bicycles.
UT does a couple of big bike auctions on abandoned bikes, and end of the spring semester has some good bike deals as people leave campus and dump there campus rides.

curbtender

https://austin.craigslist.org/bik/3077797536.html

Buy this and geta spray can...

IthaDan 

If that motobecane fits, buy that.

The univega MTB is pretty kitbashed- gary fisher seat and mismatched tires. That said, if I was in austin, I'd be buying it. I love those thumbshifters and XC Pro is a cool and reliable historical group. Those forks are a pain to rebuild at first, but once you've done one, the workflow becomes intuitive.

bluebossa4

Thanks for all y'alls help...

As far as the pink motobecane, it's 51cm and I believe I need a 54cm or a 17-17.5" bike because I am 5'6.

I am still kind of interested interested in the univega, but I have a few questions...

What does a claw RD hanger mean?

What is cool about thumbshifters?

and, What is XC Pro?

thanks again,
Wayne

bluebossa4

or what about this bike?

https://austin.craigslist.org/bid/3046585898.html

fixed1313

That last schwinn you posted is low end, didn't see a price in the add so can't say if it is worth it or not.

If you are 5'6" the 51cm may fit just fine, I am 5'7" with a 30" inseam and a 51-52cm fits me fine. A 54 also works but feels a little big to me. Keep in mind you can really only use those numbers as a guide due to different manufacturers measuring their bikes differently. If you can ask the seller a question, ask what the standover height is, it may be of more help. Road bikes are usually measured either c-t-c (center to center) or c-t-t (center to top). Both measurements start at the center of the spindle in the bottom bracket and go either to the center of the top tube or the top of the top tube or seat mast (not the post). Hope this helps some.

sfotex

The rear derailler hanger was probably broken off and the claw was used to fix it == not good

Suntour XC Pro is the component groupo

bluebossa4

https://austin.craigslist.org/bik/3071082033.html

or what about this bike?

jon c. 

Looks like it needs a new seat and has a fair bit of rust. But that's probably a decent price in your market for a fun old Italian bike.