Hi, I'm shopping bikes and I don't know a good deal from a bad deal so I'm asking for your experience. Are any of these a deal, or even worth looking at? The bike I have now has a 24' frame, to tall, but I'm used to it. When I stop I just lean to the left and stand on one foot. As I read that, I guess it sounds unsafe. Maybe I should just look at a 22" frame. Are there 23" frames? Well here goes;

Cannondale 500 Sport Bike Bicycle - Shimano 600 upgrade - $250
Aluminum Cannondale 500 Sport. Its been upgraded with the following:
Shimano 600 Front/Rear Derailers, Brakes and Levers.
Shimano 600 Clipless pedals (with cages for use without clipless shoes.)
Mistral M13 Rims

Vintage Trek 500 Tri-Series 52 cm Steel frame Road bike $215.00
24 lbs. Reynolds 531 tubing.
Brand new Vitorra Zaffiro tires and Bontrager tubes. $50 value.
Shimano 600 components. 12 speed. 2 rings on front, 6 on back.
Crank, Dropdown handle bars, bar tape, brakes and brake handles replaced.
Red with white paint.
Red water bottle cage.
It's a bike that screams to go fast. Come take it for a test ride.
Tuned up. Ready to go. Needs nothing.

1985 Gitane Defi Road Bike - $125
Frame: 61 cm (~24") Reynolds 453
Components:
Mavic 700c wheels
Chromed fork
Shimano breaks
Huret/Sachs rear dérailleur
Nervar crank
12 speed
less than 24 lbs.

Thanks,
Mark

get the Trek, lose the funny handlebars. These are all very different (52cm-61cm) sizes, if you know you need a 22" (56cm) frame, don't look at anything that won't fit.
Edit: Yes there are 23" (58cm) frames, too (as well as 57cm, especially in the vintage market) go to your LBS or a reliable friend and find out what size fits you.

The trek does look attractive; not sure if it's a great deal, but the tubing appears to be the best of the 3 and the Shimano 600 components tend to be excellent; all of this assumes the bike is in good/excellent shape.

Figuring out what size you should be riding takes a little effort, but is worth it. An LBS can do a number of things from giving you a basic idea to providing a custom fit. If you are going to take up their time and expertise, it would be most ethical to be honest about your intentions, ask if they have any used bikes in your price range and show them what you are looking at in these ads. IMO, a good shop will fit you (probably not the full custom fit, but a good general idea) and recognize that even if you don't buy from them you'll be back for stuff/services that you will need.

The Cannondale is not bad either, but I'd still try talking the seller down. It's got a race geometry, and if it has an aluminum fork, the ride is a bit choppy. Your old Schwinn road like a Cadillac...the Cannondale will ride like a Porsche, very quick but a bit harsh. So it may not be your cup of tea.

What are you looking for most? Comfort? Speed? Both? To be a parrot, you need to figure out your ideal frame size first. Then you need to think of what type of setup you want. If you end up wanting a taller stem to get you in a more upright position, that would look silly on the Cannondale (I know, I've done it!).

You might be better off looking for a mid 80s full touring rig, like the Miyata 1000 or 610, Trek 720 or lots of others to choose from there, Univega Gran Turismo, Centurion Pro Tour, Fuji America, etc. They'll give you a strong, yet still relatively lightweight frame, relaxed geometry for improved comfort, triple chainrings up front and wide range gearing out back, and lots of braze-ons for racks and fenders (perfect for a commuter).

You won't like any of them if they don't fit you. If it really fits you well, you'd probably be relatively happy with any of them.

go with the trek if it fits you

Thank you all, you are most helpful. I have decided I want both speed and comfort. I rode a Peugeot UO-8 yesterday, LOL! Almost did a flip over the handle bars when I stopped. Decided right then I like a longer wheel base and a more upright posture. (will pass on the probable face plant). LBS informed me Peugeot's were junk anyway, impossible to upgrade with their wierd threads and sizes. Is this true? found this P8 I might like to try,
your insight please? Is that to much money?

1985 ALL ORIGINAL Peugeot P8 - $250.00

This bike has had very minimal use (having been in storage for the past eighteen years) and still sports the original tires. The bike is burgandy in color and has a 23"/57cm frame. I have the original bill of sale and owner's manual. You are encouraged to come take a test ride.
Thanks,
Mark

im no poo-joe expert, but i'de say its way too much money.

If you can ride a 24" bike now the trek is way too small, what size is the cannondale?

Hi Cyclo,
I emailed him and asked that very question but he hasn't emailed me back. Will post when he does though.

Pics of the cannondale

I will venture a guess and say close to 54cm...

How tall are you BTW?

5-10

Inseam would help too, although 56-60cm is a good rough seattube (center to top) length range. 58cm top tubes are good for a long upper torso, 57 for shorter.

I'm 5-10, 32" inseam, and find that a 57-59cm ST with a 58cm TT fits well with a 110mm stem. Just my observations. Some may prefer a 57cm TT with a 120mm stem too, but handling will be slightly twitchier.

-Kurt

Thanks Kurt, Ihave a 30" inseam. Twitchy doesn't sound good, although I'll get used to riding whatever I buy. Has anyone ever heard of Zebra? Here's one I found, is it junk?
this is a Zebra brand, made in Japan. cro-mo tubing (double butted). 58cm c-t. Sugino crank, diacompe brakes, suntour der's. alloy wheels, nice lightweight bicycle. 12 speed 27" tires. rear tire is new. $100 cash

There's nothing wrong with the Peugeot. THe DBS frames are very strong and durable and by 9185 they were all standard British thread. $250 is too much for a 1985 P8.

I think $215 is way reasonable for a 531 trek. Especially I just had some "numbskull" try to sell me an un original True temper Trek 420 for $475. I just said... "Sorry, too rich for my blood." No response since then..lol.,,,,,BD

Double-butted cromo on the Zebra is a good sign, but I note that the derailer hanger is not integral, which is pretty much your first sign of warning. $100 is a bit on the high side, but the frame fit looks right.

Not sure how frequent deals come around your area - if infrequent, go for it. If frequent, pass.

-Kurt

heard back from the guy with the cannonale, here's what he wrote "The frame measures 19". I just measured the center tube from top of Crank housing to bottom of cross tube." Dammit, kind of liked that one.

Well, he measured it wrong. It should be from the center of the bottom bracket (pedal axle) to the center of the top tube...so add 1.5" to 2". I think cyclotoine is probably right...about 54 cm, which may still be too small for you. You say your inseam is 30"? Pants inseam? Riding inseam is different, measured to your pubic bone: https://www.coloradocyclist.com/bikefit/

I'm a 32" pantleg inseam, but a 35" riding inseam.

And again, the Cannondale has aggressive geometry, so it will put you in a very forward position, and would look silly with a high stem (been there, done that).