Bad Brakes

Hi, all.

New member here, have been relying heavily on all the great posts here and figured I needed to finally sign up and participate. I'm looking for a good quality road bike to get me started and to break up my running routine, which is steadily destroying all my bones.

Anyway, I've been watching some CL ads and had a couple of chats with folks but haven't closed any deals yet. I want something that I'll be able to ride for a while, mostly in the city, but which will be versatile enough to participate in some local amateur races and such as well.

Therefore, I have created a poll! With links!

Hopefully I'll be making a deal on one of these or something very similar in the next couple of days, and I am suffering from indecision anxiety. Any thoughts are greatly appreciated, and thanks already for all the great info in the forum. Seems like a great community and I'm looking forward to showing off some pics ASAP.

Cheers,
BB

EDIT:
sorry, I duped one of the links on the poll, I think this is the one that was missing

JerrySTL

The Fuji but only because I lived in Covington back in the '50s and '60s.

Both the Raliegh and Trek look like good bikes for the price. But looks can be deceiving.

elboGreaze

My vote is the Trek ; decent bike for the price .

CliffordK

I like the Raleigh Super Course... it looks like a sweet classic in fairly good condition. The Brooks saddle looks nice, although definitely showing its age.

Most of the bikes above are pretty large frames, and the Raleigh with a 58cm may be the SMALLEST.

How tall are you?

What are your ultimate goals for the bike?

Bad Brakes

I'm 6' tall and really looking for something kinda entry level to replace some of the running I do and maybe enter some "Group B" kind of races. I've got a ten mile commute to work, and it isn't completely out of the question that I might occasionally want to make that trip although it's not down the most bike friendly streets in town.

I'm also looking at this 1980-ish 58cm Fuji American that's in really great shape and they only want $100 for it. It's all original from what they can tell so it'll probably need rubber pretty soon, but he says it's ready to ride as is. Seems hard to beat for the money! Could probably put my hands on that one tonight, actually.

oddjob2

Only the Fuji America and the Raleigh Super Course will fit. The other bikes are for riders 6'3" and up. I'd try the Fuji first since it is 1/2 the price of the Raleigh.

mstateglfr 

Based on your height, I'd go for that Fuji America. Of course it's been listed for a month and is only 100 so it's either been sold for 29 days now or there is something really wrong with it.

Next woukdbbe that green raliegh supercourse. Cool color. The claim that it's 7 speed is original can't be accurate based on the other components, but it looks nice nonetheless and should fit.


Other options are cool, but really large for you.

CliffordK

For someone around 6 ft, 60cm wouldn't be bad... unless the goal was to slam the stem. Even slightly larger, but it might be pushing it.

elboGreaze may be right, the Trek would certainly be worth considering, as well as the late addition of the Fuji.

I don't see any obvious signs of abuse on the Fuji. It probably would need a good tune-up... and, of course, air in the tires.

Bad Brakes

They still have it, tentatively planning to see it tonight. The guy said they got it at an estate sale and was planning to sell it for over $200 but didn't get any bites on it. Maybe just the market around here or maybe there's something wrong with it but the dude swears it's ready to ride.

I really like the Raleigh, though. I know it's more but some of that is stuff I'd have to buy anyway, like new tape, brakes, possibly tubes, etc. And I really like the color, which is obviously a serious consideration.

Bad Brakes

Went with the Super Course instead. It was just too nice. Posted shots here.