Help finding a decent ride PLEASE! & sizing ?
 

I was wondering if any one ever helps other riders out with finding a decent ride?

I unfortunately live in a bad area ( Flint, Mi ) for finding deals, so trying to find them in "nearby" ( hour or so driving ) area's is hard.

I have been searching C.L. up to about 1.5 hrs. away & am having trouble finding something decent. So if some one wouldn't mind helping me out, I would appreciate it. I am NOT asking for the deal to be passed on at the same price, a profit is expected.

I have found a couple. One is a Ross Gran Tour: all Shimano w/ Sugino cranks, 26.5 lbs., & 700c wheels, early to mid 80's maybe? Size:tt-21 3/4,st- 23, & so-32 3/4. Asking $125.00.

Another: Bianchi 21 speed touring bike, 36 straight gage spoke wheels, gel saddle, tapered steering head bearings, down tube shifters, rear rack. Bike rebuilt last summer. Nice solid commuter. No idea on size yet, asking $50.00.

And what is this worth? Peugeot PX 10: 1977 is an educated guess, it's younger than 75 and older than 1980. Tubular Maillard wheelset and new tubulars with less than 100 miles on 'em. Mafac centerpull brakes, stronglight downtube shifters, cranks, and derailleurs. It's nimble and feathery through corners and downhills. It's blue. Probably in the neighborhood of 56-58cm. Own a piece of French cycling history. Better than leaving it in my garage. Feel free to tell me what this bike is really worth. Price $499.00**********

On the sizing, I am finding older bikes seem to have short top tubes, or maybe it is the ones I have found.??? I need one sized as I can figure this way: s.o.-32", maybe a little more, s.t.-21"-22", & t.t.-22.5 or a touch longer. If s.t. length is on, is it a big deal if s.o. height is a touch large? & what is to long of as stem? I have read 120mm is pushing it?

Thank you in advance for any help. I am willing to drive up to about 1.5 hours from Flint, Mi. Just post here or pm me please.

Chris

If its a true PX 10 in good shape its worth that and more depending on the shape its in :)

WOW! Scratch that off the list. I am lloking fo rmore of an entry level price.

Chris

Chris,

Are you looking for a touring bike or a sportier, racing style bike? What is your budget? $200, $300, less? What are you going to be using the bike for, commuting or pleasure riding/exercise?

I'm in Ann Arbor, and always looking for bikes. Give me a better idea of what you want, and maybe I can find something that would suit you.

A Bianchi for $50? What's the problem with it. If it's straight, minor repairs only needed, that sounds like a good deal.

He called this morning saying he sold it just before I talked to him. Oh well, the search continues.

Chris

Chris, Sometimes deals are only there for a moment. You have to be quick to get a good deal. Can you do the wrenching yourself?

Raleighs from the 70's have the geometry that you're looking for. Almost everything they made has a 22.25" top tube. If you're looking for entry level, a Grand Prix, Super Grand Prix, or Super Course would be decent candidates. The Super Grand Prix is a little uncommon, but the other two models were made in abundance. I think you could reasonably expect to find a Grand Prix in pretty good condition for $100 - $150. A Super Course for $125 - $175.

If you'd have caught me about a month ago, I had a Specialized Cirrus (or is it Sirrus) in almost exactly the size you're looking for. You could have had it for under $200 delivered, but I gave it to my daughter's boyfriend for transportation at college.

Hang in there, I'm sure you'll find something pretty soon.

If I come across a bike that fits your size I'll certainly make contact. Otherwise it is just a matter of hanging in there and looking until you find. It also seems like feast or famine when you are hunting. It feels like once you find one bike that really works, 3 more appear that are perfect and the next thing you know you own 5-6.

I would also start to look at estate sales and yard sales. Once in a while you find good stuff in these sales and have you checked local salvation army stores and any cycling clubs and their web pages?

Estate and yard sales seem to be the ticket. One advantage is you can ride your bike to the yard sales. Come back and pick up your purchases later. But don't despair; you're in a better buying area than I am.

I've managed to find a couple of decent deals on eBay in my short sniping career. I've heard that in the winter, the deals get even better.

It is a feast or famine cycle. My bike sizes seem to be completely bereft of anything interesting at the moment. I cruise over to my son-in-law's sizing and whammo! cool bikes galore! If I could only get him to commit one way or the other. Screw it. I may just buy him a bike and fix it up for Christmas. Can't stand to let these bikes go unbid upon.

I live in about the worst area in the country - NYC is probably the most expensive market (SF is probably a close second). Lots of crap bikes end up here, and most of them are sold for way more than they're worth.

Hit up the yard sales, church auctions/sales, and flea markets. Salvation Army is worth a look. Even if the bike is a pile, they've usually got usable parts on them. Post in the ISO/WTB thread here too.

I may not live in a high price area, just a slim picking area without driving a minimum of an hour to search. I may try to hit the road tomorrow & check some S.A., maybe G.W., & go check the Ross Gran Tour out, asking price is $100.00 now. I did find a Trek 1000, 2003 for $350.00, but that is morethan I would like to spend, or should spend.

Thank you to all,
Chris

Out there in Swartz Creek there's Matt Assenmacher's shop. Have you looked there?

If you want a racy performance-oriented bike that is classic and has comfort, the PX-10 is a great bike.

Road Fan

I live less then 2 miles from Assenmacher's. I stopped in last w/e, but they hardly ever have anything used. I mtb. w/ one of the guys when time allows, so I asked him & one of the other employees to keep their ear open for something if a customer is ready for a "new ride".

As for the PX-10, it is way more than I would like to spend. Please don't flame me, but if I am going to spend that much, I will probably buy a newer bike. In no way am I knocking the older bikes, I just know technology has come a long way. I was interested in an older bike due to not knowing just how much road riding I will do.

I would hate to spend $3-400+ on a road bike for it to sit & collect dust.

After talking to OFG this evening, I am going to see what I can do with my old Raleigh Capri in making it fit. It may be a touch small, but if I can spend under $50.00 it may tell me if looking for a better fitting bike is worth it. I will continue to keep my eye's open for that GREAT deal, but not search day & night worying about it.

Thank you to all, & IF you come across a deal near me you won't mind passing on with a finder's fee, please let me know.

Chris