Originally Posted by
FBOATSB
I would advise first and foremost, to only consider a bicycle that is clean and you can actually take out for a test ride with no more than saddle and bar adjustments. Any of that "it only needs this or that" should be a non starter unless you're prepared for a full over haul.
That's what I think too.
A bicycle is a pretty simple machine. Serious flaws are generally pretty obvious.
The deal breaker is ride-ability. If it just doesn't "feel" right when you test ride it, it's not the bike for you. Walk away.