Originally Posted by VegasTriker

I know you are probably frustrated by now with all of the choices that don't seem to be working out. I'd suggest you skip the latest one as well. A 13" frame is way too small for you. As others have suggested you should look for a 17" frame in an MTB or a 21" frame in a road bike. Too small is just as bad as too big when it comes to a frame size.

It takes a little detective work to figure out what a bike is worth. Sometimes if you google on the brand and model you can come up with a year it might have been made and then go to www.bikepedia and look it up. They list the MSRP which is the MOST anyone should have paid for it new. The Trek 3500 in the picture matches the color and equipment for a 2004 model costing $240 brand new. 2004 Trek 3500 - BikePedia The newer models all have front suspension so it couldn't be newer than 2006. It is not worth $175!

The last bike I bought was a few weeks ago at a garage sale. I bought a 1993 Diamondback Acente which the owner had paid $580 for new. It needed tires and a thorough going through to lubricate and adjust bearing cones. By the time I am done I will have about $60 in it and it will be a far better bike than the cheap Schwinn he bought to replace it. Garage sales are a possible source for a bike but most garage sale bikes are low end and not worth buying. You just have to be lucky and find a good one. Stay away from anything that has suspension. Suspension on an inexpensive bike is practically worthless and just adds weight. I wouldn't touch any bike weighing more than 30 pounds. The weight of a bike is a good indicator of quality. Lighter bikes have better components. You can weigh one using a bathroom scale. Weigh yourself and then repeat holding the bike steady. The difference is the weight of the bike.

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