xinlitik

Hi, buying a bike for my first time and was hoping for some advice on some I found on CL.

https://images.craigslist.org/00j0j_4...8e_600x450.jpg
https://images.craigslist.org/00v0v_7...P7_600x450.jpg
https://images.craigslist.org/00U0U_4...lV_600x450.jpg
https://images.craigslist.org/00101_1...oV_600x450.jpg

RALEIGH Technium Pro Speed Bike. 12 Speed. Size 60 Cm Tall.
Lightweight Aluminum. Very fast and smooth riding bike.
Nothing wrong. In very good riding condition...........$200.

Also this one:
https://images.craigslist.org/00s0s_g...jz_600x450.jpg
https://images.craigslist.org/00Z0Z_e...Wk_600x450.jpg
https://images.craigslist.org/00X0X_g...3X_600x450.jpg
Nishiki International road bike for sale, size 56, 12 speed, has full suntour cyclone component, new tires and tubes, new seat, and new handle bar tape, bike just tuned and ready to ride asking 195

I'm not super familiar with brands and models, so I'm having trouble sorting the junk from the value. Your help is appreciated, thanks!

(Also, bike size calculators have told me my ideal size is 58 cm, but 56-60 is okay... what do you think? in seam 33.5")

otg 

My advice would be to look at both and see which one fits best. I'm partial to steel, so I'd lean towards the Nishiki. I don't think you could go wrong with either one. Good luck!

oddjob2

The wheel rims don't appear to match on the Raleigh, but the photos basically suck. Go for the Nishiki.

koolerb

+1

xinlitik

Thanks for the advice guys. The nishiki is unfortunately about an hour away from me so I was slightly leaning toward the raleigh, but it sounds like most people recommend it. In terms of quality/reliability is it likely the better one? Is 56 cm a risky choice for a 6'0 33.5" inseam? I'll see if I can arrange a ride on it today

otg 

I think it's worth it to tak a few hours out of your day to check the Nishiki out. I've driven quite a bit further than that to check a bike out.

zukahn1 

Both bikes look to be nice bikes at fair prices. I also like the Nishiki over the Techninium it appears to be in better condition overall.

oddjob2

I'd be looking for a 58-60 if I were 6 ft.

howsteepisit

AT 5'11 with longish legs ( 34.75 cycling inseam)I would be looking at 62 cm. 56 way small for you.

xinlitik

Alright, I went and checked out the Raleigh (only 15 minutes away). Turns out it was actually 58 cm (perfect fit), rode really nicely, and looked a lot better than the pictures. Few paint scratches and a tiny bit of rust on the wheel nuts, but otherwise flawless body. Gears all shift nicely (Shimano 105), brakes work well (probably need a replacement soonish though), and the wheels were in fact the same (just a bad picture). The major wear was missing handlebar plugs and kind of old rubber on the tips of the handlebars by the breaks-- are these easy to replace? Got it down to 180 and took it home! Thanks for the help

mnmkpedals 

Nice. I am late to chime in, but I am a technium fan, nice ride. Enjoy!

vanttila

Excellent purchase, I'd say. Two of my friends ride Techniums and I'M SO JEALOUS! Plugs won't cost you more than a nickel. If by the "rubber" you mean hoods, those also won't cost more than a few bucks.

zukahn1 

Sounds like a good buy a nice set of handle bar tape and plugs is pretty cheap about $10 maybe less if you shop around. As for the brakes some adjustment and new pads and cables about $15 front and rear fairly cheap. It sounds like the bike has not been riden alot over the last 20 years or maintained so I would sugest you regrease pack all the bearings fairly soon. This is all stuff I would expect to be needed on almost any bike brought off CL.

xinlitik

Great advice, thanks. I'll hop to it before I start commuting in Jan!

Evil D

As mentioned you couldn't really go wrong with either, but I'd have drove an hour to get that Nishiki. I have a soft spot for the brand, my first two decent road bikes were Nishiki Prestige's, and that bike you linked is dead gorgeous.