Maybe its me but if I had a "firm" budget of $1K I would not be bothering with Fleabay or Craigslist for that matter. I saw a bike today on the REI website that you can walk into any REI and ride home for $800. It has everything and then some. I just shake my head everytime the advice to get some used steel off Craigslist comes up. Could it be the very posters are at the same time trying to flog their own thrashed and trashed vintage iron? Why would I want to go back to 6sp freewheel, downtube shifters and 27" wheels for any price. Were I the o.p. I would see what is available for half the budget at Nashbar or get a Specialized Allez, preferably last years model at deep discount.

H