Syrecc

Up late browsing Cl trying to find a decent bike for the millionth time and I came across this ad.

https://inlandempire.craigslist.org/bik/3899986569.html

Don't know much about vintage bikes but this one seems fairly *polished* for better or for worse . Anyone know anything about the brand, are they any good? Cheap frames or components- shimano 600? Lastly if the bike is decent what would be an acceptable price? 230 probably seems a little high to most of you guys..

Thanks for reading

randyjawa 

Welcome to the Bike Forums.

You need to develop a bit of understanding of Vintage Bicycle Quality. That, more than anything else, will help to prepare you for your Vintage Bicycle Hunting efforts.

$230.00 for that SR is quite acceptable, even where I live and I live in a market where very few people assign value to a vintage road bicycle.

Syrecc

Thanks for the reply.I've looked over you're site before, and I definitely néed to go over it more thoroughly. My main problem though is just finding the value of one of these vintage bikes. I've been hunting for a while and I think this is the most reasonably priced bikes I've found so far.

Syrecc

https://inlandempire.craigslist.org/bik/3900066891.html

also see a centurion pro tour 15.. Apparently it's a great bike? Assuming the condition and fit would 250 be worth it?

Phil_gretz

The ProTour is the better frame, but it's smaller. How tall are you?

The seatpost position on the ProTour makes me question whether it's stuck.

Both bikes are from the same seller, a flipper. He has a decent aesthetic eye, Hopefullly he's also diligent at repacking bearings. Ask whether he has taken apart the bottom bracket and headset bearing sets and repacked them. That would be value added.

Either bike would be fine. If you're 5'11 to 6'1" - go for the SR. If you're shorter than 5' 11", try the Centurion. Ask to loosen the seatpost clamp bolt and make certain that the saddle height can be adjusted. Ask for pedals, too.

Bikedued

Apples and oranges, I would pick the pro tour if given the choice though! $250 is even more acceptable than $230 for the SR. Just promise you will trash those HORRIBLE tires. It's like putting Hankooks on a Ferrari, lol.,,,,BD

Bikedued

Hmmm, on second thought? Looks like steel rims on the Centurion? Unless he actually spent the time polishing them out that far, which I doubt. It's still a better bike than the SR IMHO.,,,,BD

Syrecc

Considering the centurion is too small for me (6'1") is the SR still fair for the price or should I be looking a little lower. And I've honestly never really heard much about SR, are they well made bikes?

anyone know what the frame is made out of? High-ten?

Bikedued

You can offer two hundred on the SR? Chances are it's made of Tange, somewhere between 2 and 5, smaller number being better. It also depends on what you want to do with the bike you find. If you're after anything vintage, then thrift stores, flea markets, and pawn shops may have better prices. You may have to do some work to get them ridable, but learning as you build is part of the fun of this hobby.,,,,BD

clubman 

The SR looks like it had a total repaint including the headset cups. Beware, you have no idea what's under there. SR's are well respected as great riders with good build quality. Centurions as well except they have a broader range of quality across the line.

wrk101

+1 Pass on the SR, crappy repaint, nothing special. Anyone who paints the headset cups is an idiot and such sloppy work makes me question other decisions made during the rebuild.

The Pro Tour is great, and at an attractive price, but way too small for you. Looks like steel wheels, and its the same seller, so BEWARE. The SR is likely too small as well. Google bike sizing, and learn the size you need before shopping. Note that most sellers either do not mention size, or if they do, they get it wrong. So you need to get good at estimating size from a craplist picture.

Assume paint job is a cheap rattlecan version. As such, I would not count on it being durable, and repaints can hide flaws/problems.

Bianchigirll 

What do you want the bike for? Serious exercise and getting in shape for group rides? Commuting? Riding with the kids?

I would look over Randy's pages again, then go check out the SR. take Offer $175, and only have 175 in your pocket. When he balks point out that it was repainted and it needs pedals. I would walk at anything more.

Lascauxcaveman 

They are both too small for you. Look for something 60cm or bigger, you'll like it better in the long run (and on the long rides).

zukahn1 

I would agree on not going over $175 on the SR. Even then I would be hesitant the lack of pedals on a bike from flipper would concern me it makes me think the seller may not want people test riding the bike for some reason.

Bikedued

I would go no bigger than 60cm, somewhere in the 58-60 range would be close to ideal, unless his standover/leg length is 36 inches or more.,,,,BD

What I mean to say I am 6'1" with about a 34.5 standover height. 59-60 fits me perfectly. I do realize everyone is built differently, however.

Bikedued

I wouldn't be too quick with the firm $175 either, it is a 600 Arabesque group, after all. I would start at $175, and see what they say. Remember that to the general public, repainted is a good thing(I know, right?),,,,BD

StLbikerdude

If you are in need of a bike and it rides well, the SR would def be worth $200 to me. The groupset is fairly desirable, here's what they go for on ebay....
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw...upset&_sacat=0

Bikedued

Damn! I think I will clean up my Arabesque stuff, and sell it on ebay. That's the highest I've ever seen them go for?,,,,BD