Cannondale SR500 - Wanting to make my friend an offer

[EpicSchwinn]

I've coveted my buddy's road bike for a while. I think I've seen him ride it twice in the last 9 months so I'm thinking about making him an offer since it's my size.

I don't know a lot about these Cannondales but I'm pretty sure this is an SR 500 - correct me if I'm wrong.

It seems to all be in working order, just lots of cosmetic flaws and a mismatched pedal. I don't know what kind of maintenance it needs. It looks rideable but neglected.

Full 105 groupset: Hubs, headset, derailers, brakes, levers, shifters.

It looks like pristine ones can bring some money. Would I be in good shape if I offered $200? I guess it never hurts to see what someone will accept...

[FastJake]

I'd say $200 is more than fair for that bike, needing the work that it does (simple tune-up/overhaul.) Nice bike, but 105 doesn't get the respect of the higher groups although it is very solid and probably works just as well as anything.

Buying/selling to friends is tricky for me. I buy and sell a lot of bike stuff, so if I buy from someone chances are I'll be selling it soon enough. So if someone gives me a deal on something because I know them I feel bad selling it later. Likewise I don't just give away much of my stuff because I may use it, or sell it for more money elsewhere. Maybe I am just selfish, I'm not sure.

[IthaDan]

$200 might be a little in your favor, but not enough to ruin a friendship. You can always offer to sell it back for the same $200 plus retail of whatever you add/change if you think that'll clinch the deal.

Nice bike, one of those came through the coop last fall, full 105 just like that, but white with blue housing/lettering. I think it was a criterium. Ended up with a local student who's not entirely sure what kind of bike she's riding- it has a rack now.

I came in thinking this was a silk road, one of the ones with the headshock from the 90s.

[EpicSchwinn]

Hopefully it's not some sort of family heirloom or something that he won't let go of

Crossing my fingers!

[jyl]

I think $200 is fair for "rideable but neglected".

[rccardr]

Yep, fair price. Headset is an upgrade from standard 105 and it looks to be in nice non-rusted condition. All the top tube cable guides are there, too. I'd pay that.
And, despite not getting the cred it deserves, 1050 series 105 is wonderful, smooth, bombproof.