gnychis

This is my very first post, of probably many to come, so hello!

I think it's time for an actual road bike rather than hauling around a heavy mountain bike with some chunky tires around on the road. I have never owned a road bike before, so I want to start of rather cheap and used. If I really get in to road biking, then I can make my way up and look for something more expensive and serious.

I started looking through craigslist to find something in the area, and found this:
https://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/bik/748204560.html

What does everyone think as a first time road bike? The price is right for me, is that price reasonable for the bike?

I am going to ride it today to check out the feel and make sure it fits me OK. I am 5'7" with a 31" inseam.

I have no other friends really in to biking, and hearing advice from someone who is familiar with something is invaluable.

Thanks!
George

Al Criner

Take this over to the Classic & Vintage forum. The Schwinn experts over there will tell you more than you want to know about that bike.

LanceFanBoy

if it fits it's not bad. Google search on some fitting suggestions so you'll know what to look for when you go test it out. It would also be a good bike to learn some basic mechanics on.

If you get more serious you'll definitely want to think about checking eBay for 3-4 year old aluminum entry level bikes. You'll be more happy with those and you can probably fetch one around $300-$500

austropithicus

The price seems reasonable to me but you might be going a little too cheap. That bike is kind of old, no? You might not get that amazing roadbike feel. Test ride a new roadbike before you make any purchase so that you have a standard to compare against.

speedybob

Excellent advice.

I have been riding a bike about that old for two years. Its OK, but I can really feel the drag because of some friction in the drivetrain, and its really heavy. I recommend just getting something maybe a few hundred bucks more, (Alu frame, Integrated shift/brake levers) You will end up saving yourself money, because chances are you end up really liking the sport, and will want to upgrade in a few years anyway. Also one quick tip when you test the bike- flip the bike over or put in on a stand, and spin the backwheel so the chain is not engaged. If the wheel only spins about three rotations (like mine does), then there is obviously friction in the flywheel, and you will have to pedal against that on every pedal stroke.

gnychis

thanks for all of the quick replies!

I am going to see the bike today, so after I give it a test ride I can head to a bike shop around me and test ride a newer road bike. Good suggestion

I will definitely do this also. I have two mountain bikes, one of which has a ton of friction that I can definitely feel every pedal, and another that is extremely smooth. You're right, this definitely makes a difference. I've never actually flipped a bike over to test this though, so this will be a first

I will definitely start poking around eBay too. I'm completely new to the biking scene, so I'm still in the process of researching good entry level bikes. I was taking a gander around the under $700 road bike thread, and will probably use that as a starting point and maybe try to find one used.

CardiacKid

While the price is probably close to reasonable, if it is good shape, I am not really sure this is what you want. This bike is very old. It is about 30 years old and weighs about 35 pounds. It will probably ride more like your mountain bike than a modern road bike.

gnychis

wow, 35 pounds is much heavier than i was expecting. I will have to keep this in mind.

laryanshabaz

Don't buy that bike!
Even for that price you should get something a touch more modern, and lighter.
For $100 I got my 15 yo Traveler that weighs in the mid-20s

gnychis

just wanted to follow up that I didn't purchase the bike

it was in rather poor condition, very rusty, a lot of friction, the brakes barely worked, and the gears needed adjusted

oh well!

I will look in to newer bikes now

CardiacKid

There are plenty of 30 year old bikes in that price range that are going to weigh the same or less than a modern entry level road bike. It may take a little elbow grease to get it all shiny, but it could be fun. I have a 34 year old 62 cm bike that weighs 22lbs. Don't automatically eliminate bikes because of their age. Just be careful.

Wested

If you're going craig's list, I would get a bike that was expensive when it was new. Steel is good, because the demand is so low these days, you can get a pretty sweet deal. Look at Lemonds, or even alu Treks.

robb.

i was able to buy a 1997 giant kronos (steel) for $150 from a LBS (local bike shop). it took some patience to find it, but it's a lot better than the options i was finding on craigslist (which are mostly old schwinns). you will be able to find a 15 to 20 year old aluminum road bike on ebay for $100 to $200 about once a week if you have to keep it as cheap as i did. you'll be making sacrifices, but i think my bike weighs about half of my wife's 1977 schwinn varsity.

robb.