Here is my first Road bike , what do you guys think I pay only $206 + shipping $70

Raleigh Cadent Two Zero Road Bike



https://www.bikepedia.com/QuickBike/B...model=Cadent+2

"Used Raleigh Road Bike, done a couple of Century Rides on this!! Not an elite bike but a decent road bike that is very responsive, shifts, rides and brakes nicely... Could make a good commuter bike too. I have an after market low end back rack that attaches to the seat post if interested..Nice Bike-no longer ride like I used to, but making some room, in excellent shape mechanically, got some scuff marks and scratches here and there, main tube, forks as for more pictures if concerned with scratches or scuffing, no functional or mechanical impacts."


the seller did not know what kind of material is the frame and fork , but seeing the pictures it looks like aluminium with carbon fork ? i am not sure .

what do you guys think? Do i need to buy something else for this bike ? or i am good the way it is ? also what is the material of the frame and fork ? is Raleigh a good brand ?


thanks guys
just for cycling

You did great for under $300 with shipping, congrats!

The Cadent line (I muse at bikepedia's description as a road race / triathlon bike) was designed with a tall head tube for a more upright riding position. Probably aimed at the older / less flexible set that still wants a decent road bike.

If it fits and you ride it like you stole it...you are golden!

I wouldn't buy a used bike that I couldn't test ride first. But if everything works properly I don't think you could find a decent road bike for any less.

i am 5 11 , and the frame is a 54cm , i will let you know next week when i get the bike

I bought one new, still use it as an imperfect weather bike. Geometry is a little relaxed on them, so frame sizes run a little smaller than you'd expect. At 6'2" I use a 60cm... nothing you couldn't adjust.

It is aluminum with a carbon fork. Seat post is carbon wrapped, mostly cosmetic. The 105 rear derailleur was stock, otherwise the tiagra is correct.

I like mine.

thanks , should I buy something else for the bike ? also the tires are brand new according to the seller "Tires I just changed about 4 months ago, and I rode about 50 miles since then. they are in excellent shape" Continental Gator Skin Tires

I guess the only thing to do in put it together and grease the wheels

Gatorskins are good tires, no reason to replace them. I would put some decent brake pads on it like Kool Stops but that's about it.

Just ride it for a while before changing anything. Looks like the stock saddle has been replaced, which is a good thing imo. Wheels might be replacements, but the stock ones are nothing special.

Heh. Looks like the computer is the same one I put on mine, a cateye astrale 8. Nice, simple computer.

Turns out mine is a 59cm, not a 60, there is no 60.

It is a comfortable bike, and even if a triple is not super fashionable, it's nice for hilly areas.

how much did you pay for yours ? how many miles did you put in your bike ? any complains so far ? did you buy it new ?


thanks

Bought it new, don't remember exactly what I paid for it. Whatever retail would have been with the $875 msrp. I have maybe 2000 miles on it, so it is pretty much new, still a few thousand miles left in the stock chain.

Only real complaint was the stock saddle. It was a terrible design. I don't think it would work with anyone's butt.

It takes a beating well. I have similar scuffs and scratches. Speed suffers a bit because you sit up somewhat, but I had no problem stretching 30 mile rides to 50 or 60 because it was a beautiful day and I found a nice stretch of newly laid rural asphalt.

It isn't fancy, it just is what it is. Everyone likes something different, though.

SirPaul...do you still have this bike? I am thinking about picking one up and it appear to have bascally all the same stock components except the saddle.
Did you like it? Did you change anything?

I have one (just noticed I have the wrong year on my list...). It's a really great bike for what it is. It's better suited to moderately paced long rides than fast group rides, but I'll occasionally bring it out for that. It's just tough to chase down attacks on because you're a big target for the wind because of the upright position (25 degree stem with drop bars!). For the same reason strong headwinds are pretty fatiguing.

After 10 years it still is stock minus the saddle and normal wear parts like bottom bracket bearings and chains. Tiagra 4400 shifts nicely enough when kept in tune, but it's biggest weakness is the hoods aren't particularly comfortable. Not a huge problem on a bike that's most comfortable on the tops and in the drops, though.

It's taken me on century rides and up grades to 30%. I'm thinking of putting some racks on it for light touring, because I'd like to use it more. As the group rides I do get more and more aggressive I end up using bikes more suited to that.

Great info thanks kc!
The seller let me borrow it to check it out...since he is the Pres. of our local cycling club...he knows where to find me riding! It's in need of some TLC (shifter cable and chain) but seems in good condition. It's on the small side for me(49cm, I was told I need 52-54cm) but I will know more once I take it on a club ride.

Thanks again!

You might be OK on the 49, my 59 is pretty big. I probably would have been better off in the long run with a 56, the second largest size they made, but I wasn't all that flexible at the time and was 50 pounds heavier.

Sheldon Brown liked the Cadent line, and he bought a 4.0 in 2006. It had essentially the same geometry with better frame materials and lighter components all around, but lost the ability to fit fenders and a rear rack. It says something if it was able to pull him away from his lugged steel frames. Sheldon Brown's 2006 Raleigh Cadent 4.0

never thanked you for this response. THANKS!! I did get it...and it has been serving me extremely well as I improve my riding. I had to change out the stem and handle bars to get the fit better. I think it is still slightly small for me, but I am making it work for now.