View Single Post
Old 04-04-15 | 11:07 PM
  #3  
D1andonlyDman
Senior Member
 
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,726
Likes: 1
From: Northern San Diego

Bikes: mid 1980s De Rosa SL, 1985 Tommasini Super Prestige all Campy SR, 1992 Paramount PDG Series 7, 1997 Lemond Zurich, 1998 Trek Y-foil, 2006 Schwinn Super Sport GS, 2006 Specialized Hardrock Sport

Originally Posted by newtoallthis
I'm looking to buy my first road bike used off of craigslist (minneapolis). I would appreciate some advice on what to buy that is available. My budget is $315. I am 5'10.5" with 34" inseam, and I still may be getting taller a few inches (15 y/o).
Here are some ads that stood out to me-
Peugeot French 12 Speed 70s-80s, New Tires, Tuned
"Dr. Manhattan" 1983 BCA Road Bike
White Blue Schwinn LeTour Racer Men's 12 spd
Vintage 1985 Schwinn Tempo 23"

any tips or do you see anything that might work? If the price isn't too high at first I don't mind spending a few extra bucks for new parts.

thanks!
You can get something newer and better for $300-325.

You can probably get a Specialized or Trek or comparable Aluminum-based frame with a more modern 2 x 8 or 2 x 9 speed drivetrain and index shifting from the early to mid 1990s.

Fair value on most of the bikes you posted ads for is more like $150 or so. Among the ones you posted, the Schwinn LaTour seems realistically price.

If you don't mind an older drivetrain and a steel frame, you should set your budget at no more than $200 for the bike itself, and expect to put another $50-80 into getting it tuned up.

Personally, I'd avoid 27" wheels, as 700c wheels will give you much more choices for replacement tires. Size-wise, I'd guess you're somewhere between a 57 to 59 cm frame, 60 cm at most.

Last edited by D1andonlyDman; 04-04-15 at 11:15 PM.
D1andonlyDman is offline  
Reply