Fahrenheit531 

Hate to make my first-ever post here instead of in the introductions thread, but time is of the essence! Tomorrow I start (and, knowing me, probably conclude) my quest for a new-to-me bike, and a couple of craigslistings have caught my eye. The Peugeot is a bit more than, and the Fuji is at the high end of, what I ought to spend (as listed). So any educated opinions would be helpful.

Mine is *not* an educated opinion when it comes to bicycles.

So we've got the Peugeot. It's a PX-10, and from what I've been reading that is a very good thing. http://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/bik/3963593447.html

And we've got the Fuji. It's an Ace with the Nero color scheme, and I guess it's one of their earliest Taiwan-built machines. Listed well cheaper than the PX-10, I assume with good reason.
http://portland.craigslist.org/clc/bik/3976050955.html

The thing is, I'm pretty much a casual rider, and only got back into biking a few months ago when I moved to Portland. Three or four times a week, often with my 18-month-old boy strapped into a rear seat behind me. Obviously I don't *need* a PX-10 for that sort of thing. But I'd rather go with quality when I've got the chance, and I plan on keeping what I buy for some time.

I guess I'm wondering this: Are the asking prices a legit starting point for negotiations or are they pretty steep? And is the difference in quality between these bikes huge, or just pretty big? In the end I'll go with what I like riding, but information is our friend.

Plan B is to throw a hundred bucks at an old Raleigh or something that I can beat the hell out of without feeling guilt or remorse.

Thanks in advance, and forgive the question that became a ramble. I look forward to spending some time around these forums now that I've been bitten by the biking bug. Have a good night!

thinktubes 

Fork looks bent on the Peugeot - check for front end damage.

fuji looks beat, but would be a decent rider if you could get it cheap. Seatpost is slammed, make sure it isn't frozen. Wouldn't pay more than $125 as-is.

oddjob2

Always check the fork on any bike. In this case, I think the front wheel is at an angle causing PHOTO distortion, as is frequently the case. It appears to have a Shimano 600 RD, rather than the original. I just bought a PX10 that has a Shimano 105 derailleur set. Prices for PX10's are all over the map. This example is probably a wee bit low, but it needs new brake hoods and has a cheap saddle on it.

In the case of the Fuji, I have no hands on with this particular model, but that price is steep, even by ebay standards. Not a lot of love for Suntour Blazer group. I'm with Thinktubes on this one, $100 +/- in beater condition.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Fuji-Ace-Roa...p2047675.l2557

bikemig 

The Peugeot is probably reasonably priced for what it is but I'm skeptical it's what you need for casual riding and for putting your kid on a baby seat. I'd get a vintage mtb for that sort of riding and they tend not to be expensive for what they are. Also you can look for a used touring bike (something that can take a fatter tire and which is designed to be ridden with while carrying weight over the rear wheel). Do you know if a 58 cm bike fits you?

You may not like pink (and the bike may be too small at 56 cm) but this is a better bike for you:
http://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/bik/3977208106.html

This is a larger frame (56 cm) bike: http://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/bik/3959217100.html

wrk101

Key words in Fuji ad:"easy restoration." First, if it was "easy", it would have been done already. This is code for needs a lot of work. Do you have the time/tools/aptitude to do the work? If so, you should be able to find a project for under $100, no reason to pay almost $300 for one.

+1 I love Suntour, but Blaze is pretty sucky.

PX10 should sell in your market. Its a collectable bike. Do you want a collectable? Or do you want a good, solid rider? As a collectable, its missing a lot of original parts.

Wyoming is on the doggy side, Univega is very nice.

oddjob2

BikeMig, those are big asking prices on both the Univega and the Wyoming!

Turbo231

[QUOTE=JPlan B is to throw a hundred bucks at an old Raleigh or something that I can beat the hell out of without feeling guilt or remorse.
[/QUOTE]

I like this plan. Save some bucks and get a trailer for your boy and haul him behind whatever you get...that way when you are on solo rides, your bike feels like a rocketship all the time. I'd think for $150 you could find something that is ready to ride and not bike shaped trash. Just remember, its more about fit than anything else.

Fahrenheit531 

Awesome! Thanks for your help and for putting some "good eyes" on the photos. I think I'll go with Plan B now that you've thrown some realistic assessments out there. Because no, I don't have the tools and know-how to do a restoration (although learning that stuff is a big priority for the near future) and you guys confirmed what I already knew: I don't need a friggin' PX-10 for my purposes. hahaha

I'm a leggy 5'10 ... from what I've read a 58cm bike is what I should be looking at, though I've also been considering 56cm.

I was looking at that Wyoming; seemed like that's a more realistic Plan B if he's price-flexible. But I've also been watching for any movement on this Raleigh: http://portland.craigslist.org/yam/bik/3970315800.html It obviously(?) isn't set up the way it came from the factory, and with that damnable pump in the way I can't begin to guess what model it might be. But is it worth the 35-mile trip to check it out if he'll work in the $100 range? I seem to only use five or so gears when we're out riding anyway, and it looks more "family ride-friendly."

Again, thanks for your help. It's amazing that you can see all that stuff from a few crappy pictures and some evasive sales words! I've got a lot to learn.

[EDIT] Oh, and the PX-10 has been up there at that price for nearly a week. Maybe there is something a bit off.

bikemig 

The OP can always offer less. $400 for a good quality touring bike that looks to be in pristine condition doesn't sound crazy in a high dollar market for used bike. That bike is a serious garage queen which is why I guess the S is asking a high price. That paint job looks good; the parts aren't bad. In any case, I was thinking that the style of bike is more what the OP needs and it's the same price as the PX 10.

bikemig 

Inseam matters more than height when it comes to bikes but but both matter. I think you'd be better off riding a 56 than a 58.

oddjob2

I'm pretty sure that the green Raleigh is a late 1970's Super Course Mark II, with a Brooks Saddle, as it appears to match the paint scheme of mine below. They are highly regarded frames and several notches better than a Raleigh Wyoming.. Since the one you're looking at is highly modified, shoot for $150, although if the saddle is in good shape, it's worth $50.

Fahrenheit531 

You rock, Oddjob. Many thanks. Now to make the call and find out it's entirely the wrong size!

[Edit] HA. The size is right there in the title. Silly me.

Fahrenheit531 

I hate bumping my own thread, but poking around the Schwinn section I came across this:
http://portland.craigslist.org/clk/bik/3973147448.html

To my untrained eye it looks to be a pretty good example, and some earlier discussions of the Continental mentioned good, sturdy, running over rabbits and riding over curbs bike. Seems appropriate for my purposes described above.

There's also a decent Super Sport at $150 today, but not in this condition.

If anyone would like to contribute some expertise, it's appreciated. The guy selling the green Raleigh is seemingly hard to reach. Grumble.
Thanks!!

oddjob2

Both Schwinns are boat anchors. What's up with the Raleigh SC Mark II?

If you can round up $300, this is a steal.

http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/bik/3959447614.html

Turbo231

Sometimes boat anchors are ok. He's a casual rider, gonna haul a kid, so this is mostly a workout machine. Given that he's not probably ever going to enter a race or go further then he's ever dared go, a regular steel inexpensive road bike is probably a great bet. Push comes to shove and he starts upping his game on a bike, the boat anchor will probably sell for what he got it for and he will know more about what he likes.

Fahrenheit531 

The guy with the Raleigh has pushed back our meet-up date twice so far. That, plus the fact that he's about 40 miles from here, has me poking around seeing if anything else is worthwhile.

And my wife and I do have plans to (eventually) do organized rides and such, although I'll never be a spandex-clad Racer with a capital "R".

Re: the $300 steal: That big ol' dent is nothing to be concerned about?

oddjob2

Didn't read the text or look that closely. Sure it affects value, maybe not performance/safety. I have a Trek Cirrus with a dent in the top tube, rides just fine on a recent 40 miler. You'd have to look at it to make a judgement, hard to tell from the photograph.

wrk101

Big old dent = value killer. Depending on where it is located, may have no affect on performance.

Fahrenheit531 

I almost said it's located ... in Portland.

mcrane

I'd take the Peugeot as there is lots of people who like to find those when you decide to retire.

mcrane

This is my wet weather bike. As you can see its an old Peugeot

mcrane

I paid $300 for mine as it sits. FYI

Fahrenheit531 

After some research, I've learned 1973 was the first year for the Campagnolo (sp?) Super Record group. It looks like this bike is one o' those. Does that make the price legit even though it's a bit worn cosmetically?

http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/bik/3980553853.html

P.S. Do let me know when you grow tired of my noob "What the heck is *this* one?" routine.

oddjob2

If you plan a baby carrier, don't you need a frame with eyelets?

Turbo231

No...a lot of bike carriers use the seat post clamp bolt and the seatstays.