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Possibly buying my first road bike tomorrow

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Road Cycling “It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle.” -- Ernest Hemingway

Possibly buying my first road bike tomorrow

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Old 03-28-12, 06:45 PM
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Possibly buying my first road bike tomorrow

Hey guys, I'v been riding around on my Trek mountain bike for a while now and wanna give a road bike a shot. I found this one for sale and the seller and I agreed on a price of $300.

Do you guys think this is an ok buy for $300 bucks? I'm going tomorrow after work to check it out. If it's in decent shape I'm probably going to buy it.

Any last minute advice or comments welcome!

Thanks





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Old 03-28-12, 06:59 PM
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If it fits you and is in good working order that's not a bad deal. I'd offer 300 since he doesn't sound firm on price.
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Old 03-28-12, 07:03 PM
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As noted, if it fits you, go for it. Haggle a bit, but leave with it. Afterward, go for a ride, rather than worrying whether you could have done $10 better.
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Old 03-28-12, 07:09 PM
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He was originally asking $350 and we agreed upon $300 even. I'm 5'8" so I think the bike will fit but will take it for a test ride before buying.
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Old 03-28-12, 07:37 PM
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Take for a test ride! there are great deals everywhere on bikes right now. But this is a good deal for a great bike.
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Old 03-29-12, 12:02 AM
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For a 13 year old Aluminum framed bike I think I would look around a little. I am not saying it is a bad deal in it's own right, just the age issue would bother me for something other than steel that old.
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Old 03-29-12, 12:50 AM
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Originally Posted by punkncat
For a 13 year old Aluminum framed bike I think I would look around a little. I am not saying it is a bad deal in it's own right, just the age issue would bother me for something other than steel that old.
I'm not sure I understand your concerns. The frame is basically a hunk of metal without any moving parts, and this one is aluminum (so, unlike steel/chromoly, it does not rust), I'd expect the frame to be the last part of the bicycle to show age issues. What am I missing?
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Old 03-29-12, 08:06 AM
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I hope you bought it. It's a deal for $300.
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Old 03-29-12, 08:12 AM
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If everything works, it fits, and the wheels are true I'd buy it. I started with something similar and I sold it 3 months later for the same price. I then bought a much nicer bike on a year-end close-out from an LBS and haven't looked back. The cheap first bike got me hooked and it even had downtube shifters, but it was still a great bike.
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Old 03-29-12, 06:21 PM
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I got it! Haha... picked her up today after work. The guy was really cool and went over the whole bike with me from maintenance to fitment. He through in a set of clipless pedals also. Just gotta shop around for some shoes and I'll be good to go.
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Old 03-29-12, 06:22 PM
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Congrats. Now ride it like you stole it!
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Old 03-29-12, 06:35 PM
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Sweet. You got a good deal. Congrats!
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Old 03-29-12, 07:15 PM
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great score, congrats
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Old 03-29-12, 09:58 PM
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I think that's a nice bike for a good price. My Trek is of the same vintage and I can say that the Ultegra components of that era are great. I've been test riding new bikes with Ultegra and personally, I don't notice a whole lot of difference. I like that shade of blue! Enjoy!
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Old 03-29-12, 10:02 PM
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Nice bike and great deal!
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Old 03-29-12, 11:42 PM
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Nice bike. Welcome to the club... Ride a lot and let us know how it goes...
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Old 03-30-12, 05:01 PM
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Order my shoes last night, can't wait.

Shimano MT33L
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Old 03-31-12, 05:34 AM
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Pic from yesterday. I'll be coming from that black Trek. Can only imagine the difference I'm going to notice.

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Old 03-31-12, 10:38 AM
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nice!
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Old 04-21-12, 12:15 PM
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Shoes were on back order but should be in this week. Been waiting patiently.

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Old 04-21-12, 08:16 PM
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Wow! The pic really makes a difference. I'll remember that if I ever want to sell a bike on CL. Cleaning and new bar tape for sure. The wheels look the same. Did you change anything else? It looks GREAT! I love that blue!
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Old 04-21-12, 09:02 PM
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That is a VERY nice looking bike. I would have guess it's smaller than a 54 though. Nice score!
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Old 04-22-12, 06:52 AM
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Originally Posted by a1penguin
Wow! The pic really makes a difference. I'll remember that if I ever want to sell a bike on CL. Cleaning and new bar tape for sure. The wheels look the same. Did you change anything else? It looks GREAT! I love that blue!
Nope just a cleaning and better photo. Thanks

Originally Posted by waynesworld
That is a VERY nice looking bike. I would have guess it's smaller than a 54 though. Nice score!
Thanks can't wait to ride it.
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Old 04-22-12, 09:09 AM
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awesome trek, i like that blue color.
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Old 04-22-12, 09:26 AM
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Great looking bike, Pilky (although as a proud owner of a blue Trek bike myself, I have to admit I am biased). I hope it rides as nice as it looks. Good luck with it!
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