motomixte

So, craigslist. Gazelle Trophy Cross frame, pretty sure it's a 1987. Reynolds 531 main tubes - not a champion mondial, but it's fairly lightweight. Guy has rebuilt it with Shimano 600 including brifters. Frame is a lot rougher than it looks in the craigslist post. Lots of dings, a little rust, especially under the water bottle holder.

It rides nice. But is it worth $695?

54.5cm Gazelle Cross Bike Reynolds 531 - Shimano 600 2x8

zukahn1 

I would say no at this price and +1 those look like 2300 replacement shifters and not 600's. It is a nice bike though but the price is high by $200-300.

fettsvenska 

I agree that this bike is not worth $695. However, I don't find the CL post misleading. The levers are certainly not 600 but the cranks and derailleurs do look like 600. This guy is obviously a dealer and trying to make a buck, which I don't have a problem with. I suspect that at this price point that bike is going to stay on the market for awhile.

zukahn1 

This seems pretty typical of dealer flipper rebuild's adds they mention the details on the nicer vintage components. But only say new replaced on the lesser cheap new replacements with no details. It usually gives me pause on a add when they mention specific's on some of the components. This is usually a dead off tell that the bike is a less than great rebuild.

motomixte

Thanks, those who answered so quickly!

It's definitely a dealer who's in it to flip it. He's got a lot of old steel, mostly Schwinn Varsity league stuff.

If you're not tied to the vintage experience, having indexed shifters on the brifters is nice. And the ride was like butter.

I made some noises about the frame paint condition not being up to expectations, but he made no indication that he was willing to bargain, just repeated how it was an essentially new bike, other than the frame.

I'm a big believer in picking a bike by how it feels to *you* when *you* get on it. I rode a slightly cheaper tange frame later the same day, and I knew from the second I got on it that it was wrong for me. The Gazelle was just *so smooth*! I am now obsessed with finding a steel road bike to replace my modern aluminum frame bike for most of my road riding. Doesn't necessarily have to be vintage, but I do love the look. And lugs. It should have beautiful lugs.

zukahn1 

Well in your price range of $400-700. I would look for some adds for Lemonds or similars with 800 level steel frames can often be had for around $500 with an nice carbon fork and give a great combo of steel comfort and a basicaly modern bike.

bikemig 

If you want lugs, you'll have to go vintage or pay a lot of money. I like my steel tig welded frames; they're light and ride right.

motomixte

That would be the problem... Like I said, I love the look of the vintage bikes, esp. the lugs, but it's got to feel right, or it's next to worthless. I'll just ride one of my other bikes that DOES feel right every time. I"m trying really really really hard not to be compulsive.

I have a problem with compulsive.