metaknight17

Please bear through this very newbie question. I plan on buying a road bike for my friend but really can't afford to buy new. As such, I have resorted to Craigslist (please let me know if this is already a questionable move). She is 5'9 and only needs the bike for short commuting purposes and is by no means an "experienced" rider. Essentially, she will want to go to and from school and work (~6 miles a week). Here are the most realistic options I have thus seen:

https://orangecounty.craigslist.org/bik/1185536710.html
https://orangecounty.craigslist.org/bik/1184791365.html
https://orangecounty.craigslist.org/bik/1183043232.html
https://orangecounty.craigslist.org/bik/1181886288.html

Do any of these seem like reasonable offers? Please reply on this forum or my email at muradianibrahim1@yahoo.com. Any advice at all is greatly appreciated, and thank you for bearing through this excruciatingly newbie question.

stringbreaker

I vote for the Univega but if she is 5"9' unless she has really long legs a 57cm is most likely too tall for her. If she does have long legs and most gals that are that tall usually do then it might be the ticket.

Andy_K 

Those all look like decent bikes, but they all look too big for someone who is 5'9".

Commando303

Why are you looking to get a road bike for a person who's an inexperienced rider and will be commuting short distances (just ~six miles a week)? I think something more comfortable would be a better option. Has she expressed interest in this sort of bicycle?

metaknight17

Yes she has . She's had a beach cruiser for a while but has been talking about selling it and getting a road bike in its place.

Commando303

I see. OK.

stringbreaker

Maybe a hybrid is what she would be most suited for.

mikeybikes

She should definitely go to an LBS and ride some bicycle to figure out what works.

Nothing wrong with a road bike.

Buglady

I agree with those who say that a different bike (maybe a mountain bike with slick tires, or a hybrid) will probably suit your friend better at this time. Your friend knows that the beach cruiser was too heavy and slow for her, but she is probably using "road bike" in a more generic sense, as in a lighter bike with gearing that will be easier to ride a bit faster.

I tried a classic 10 speed when I was a new rider and it just about scared me off riding for life. I got an entry level hybrid instead (lighter-weight hardtail mountian bike with a front shock) and I was a lot better off riding that for a year until my bike handling skills and confidence built up a bit. I still wobbled around like a newborn calf when I got back on the ten speed but I knew how to correct

I'm a long-legged 5'8" and I think 57 cm might fit me, but might be a bit on the tall side. And again, for a newer rider, a too-tall bike can feel quite unsteady and frightening. I ride a 56 usually. If you do go with one of those bikes for her, do her a favour and wrap the bars with cork or gel tape... bare handlebars are just plain painful, especially for someone who's not used to a road bike. The riding position puts so much more weight on your hands!

Boyd Reynolds

The Univega is the standout among those listed, but I agree with others they are probably all too tall. You should consider taking your friend to a shop to try some bikes you can't afford and see what she fits and enjoys.