Jboeding7

Hey everyone!

I am in college and I am interested in getting a bike to commute back and far a few days a week.
I know absolutely nothing about bikes, so I'm calling on this community to please help me out

https://orangecounty.craigslist.org/bik/5800622560.html

I got him to go down to 170, but he won't budge anymore. Is this a fair price? I am 6 foot 4 inches, so it's hard for me to find a bike that fits. Also, he said he re-lubed the bike, but did not grease the chain. I am just looking to get a fair price.

Also, I live in the West L.A. area.

Thanks y'all!
- Jacob

ppg677

It is not a bad deal if it has fresh tires, cables, a usable chain, and has been serviced. The bike appears in nice shape and the freewheel has been replaced. Tires alone can cost $60+. And like you said, finding large bikes for your height is difficult. If it fits you I'd buy it.

If the bike needs tires and an overhaul, then I think it is priced too high.

Jboeding7

When you say fresh tires, do you mean the tubes, or the physical tires? He said the bike rides great. He also bought new tubes, but not tires.

noobinsf 

You can find cheap tires if those are not good. Ask if "relubed" includes the bottom bracket, headset, and hubs. 170 seems fine if so. If he has not replaced the bearings, it may not be a big deal, but these areas should have relatively fresh grease. These are nice bikes - good frames, solid components.

Kevindale

I just bought a Univega Gran Premio in the LA area for $200. It was in likewise nearly original condition (as this one seems to be), with only the bar tape and tires having been replaced. The Gran Premio is several steps up the Univega hierarchy from the Nuovo Sport, but this looks like a pretty good deal to me. Mine came with new but very cheap tires, which I've already replaced. From the irregular look of the gumwalls on the one you're looking at, I suspect these are also crummy tires, but I could be wrong. Expect to immediately replace the brake pads. It should be a nice rider.

Univega's were a lot of bike for the money back in the day, and they still don't seem to have the cult followings that other Japanese-made bikes from the 1980s have achieved. That's a long way of saying that I think you'll be hard pressed to find a better bike that fits you for this kind of money.

If you're new to tuning your bike, as I was very recently, the C&V forum here is full of helpful members. You'll be able to save a fair amount of money by buying a few simple tools and learning a few things yourself.

due ruote 

That's a nice bike that looks to be in excellent shape. 170 might not be garage sale pricing, but to me it seems totally fair, especially in a major metro area. Have you test ridden it? If you like it I would buy it, treat it nice and invest in a good lock.

Dave Cutter

You need to find someone who knows bikes to go with you to see the bike in person.

Can it be worth $170? I sold this (below) Univega a couple years ago for $175 (in moderately priced Midwest). But it did have new tubes, tires, chain, and bartape. Plus it had decent paint and was clean and shiny.

Kevindale

I just did a quick check, and there are a few 62 cm bikes in LA you might want to check out:

A Campy equipped Bianchi for $250: https://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/bik/5792904377.html
(Needs a good cleaning and likely new grease, etc)

A $120 Schwinn World: https://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/bik/5792286573.html
(I don't know anything about Schwinns, but it looks like it has decent components and rims)

And a Schwinn Prelude: https://losangeles.craigslist.org/sg...802783086.html for $150

I don't know if any of those are better deals than this Univega, but the Bianchi looks like a fun project. However, you may not be remotely interested in a fun project.

Jboeding7

Turns out it was a new chain anyways, so already greased up! (And everything you listed I am pretty sure is lubed up as well - just don't know how well it was done, haha - I'll see when I take it to the shop).

I'm super excited to make it my own, hehe!

Thank you!
- Jacob Boeding

Jboeding7

Hey everyone!!!

I ended up getting the bike for $160, as the back tire was wobbly and needed to be realigned (which caused a noise when I test rode it). The bike was a perfect fit, I was able to crouch down in speed mode (or whatever you call it, haha) comfortably and I could also ride it sitting slightly upright, which I found to be very awesome, as that is the ideal position for commuting so I can view traffic clearly.

It was a great experience to ride a bike again, as it's been a really really long time since I have owned a bike. I'm super excited to make it my own and use it around LA and discover the city. I'm from Orange County (greatest place to live on earth), so we basically only have cars as a mode of transportation, haha.

Thank you so much for all your helpful replies, everyone!
- Jacob Boeding

Jboeding7

Hey Kevindale,

Thanks for providing me with other bikes to check out in my area! That's super kind of you.

$250 was a little out of my price range. I ended up buying the bike for $160, as I detailed in the post to everyone below. And also, I couldn't do a project bike at the moment, as I am currently in school with lots of homework already, haha!

Thanks again, I really appreciate it!
- Jacob Boeding

Jboeding7

Hey Dave!

I really should fine someone who knows bikes, haha. But I am from orange county, where people mostly drive cars .

I think I got a fair price for it, especially since everything in California is pretty expensive, haha.

Thanks again for the tidbit!
- Jacob

Jboeding7

Thanks for the tips!

I already got a light/brake light set and a kryptonite lock online (actually before I bought the bike). Very excited to get some rides in!

Best,
- Jacob Boeding

Jboeding7

Thanks a bunch for your reply. I'm pretty sure the upgrades are pretty cheap as well, as he was kind of buying and reselling. I am going to take it to the bike shop tomorrow and see for certain.

The bike fits and rides great, way better than I expected. I'm glad I got a good bike worth the money, I always want a good value, hehe!

I would love to learn how to tune up my own bike and all, but for now I am going to leave it to the experts at the bike shop until I have more time to test the waters (as I am in school). And when I do, I will definitely check out this forum (there's actually nothing quite like it, haha).

Thanks again!
- Jacob Boeding

cb400bill

Thread moved from C&V to C&V Appraisals.

Dave Cutter

Univegas are nice bike's! I am sure you did good.

ramzilla

and.............. it's gone