Help identify a 1988 Specialized
 

BIG EDIT: 12 years old would make it a 98 not an 88...hmm that might change things.

Seller tells me it is "12 years old and a nice model". I want to go check it out but it's kind of a pain to get there so I want to know if it would be worth it first...

http://images.craigslist.org/3n83m03...71b7da13ca.jpg

The picture from the ad is all I have to go on. Might it be an Allez or a Sirrus? I have heard good things about old Specialized road bikes but don't know anything about them.

Any thoughts? Might it be worth $150 as a keeper (if its my size) or a flipper if it isn't?

I would try and get more pics. I don't see brifters and the rims look more box section like '80 early '90s rims. ask for more pics and names of components

Based on the unicrown of the front fork that would have to be later '90s. It also is a narrow front fork. Can't really tell you if it's Sirrus or not; however, if it is or if it's an Allez you can't go wrong.

Mid 90s or newer would be a brifter bike. Reminds me more of the late 1980s Sirrus I sold recently. Thats a reasonable price for a keeper, although it will need some work. Too much for a flipper.

Information from sellers is almost always wrong. Most of them are not making it up, its just that they don't remember it accurately. When a seller can't even tell you the model (and that's usually clearly labeled on the bike), I don't give them a lot of hope of getting the size, age, or other details accurate. DT shifters usually means early 90s or older.

So I got the bike. It is a Sirrus and is definitely older, I'm guessing late 80s/early 90s as it has suntour blaze components (low end but still suntour). It's a 56 which is on the border line for me as I much prefer a 54 so I shouldn't have bothered but...

Brand new Conti tires on Wolber rims, a new U lock and a new helmet put me over the edge. So I talked him down to $130 (which was tough because he said he had gotten over a dozen emails) b/c the rear wheel is less than straight and it needs bar tape.

Looks nearly identical to shis one. (Borrowed from DVC45 hope you don't mind)
http://i202.photobucket.com/albums/a...5/IMG_0469.jpg


I'm not trying to keep buying these bikes to flip, I'm looking for a keeper but they keep being too big but still too good of a deal to pass up so I buy them anyway...In the last last week I picked up 58cm Super Course and a 56cm Trek 1000 as well with no real intention to sell. For all three bikes I'm in it for about as much as one of them will sell for so I guess it isn't that bad.

Sorry for the rant, enjoy your Saturday. It is beautiful in New England I don't know about the rest of the world but if it's nice there too then get out and ride :)

That doesn't look like a 56 to me.

But I like it! I like it!

Not at all! I just got reunited with that bike. I gave it to my nephew in Virginia 2.5 years ago. He gave it back to me when he visited here about a month ago, since he never use it ( really, I did not ask him to ;) ).

' not sure now if I'll flip it or keep it. It rides nice an it fits me just fine. I'l probably start a keep it or flip it thread for this one.

Thanks for the pic, it was the only decent picture of a similar red Sirrus I could find.

I'm having a similar dilemma with mine. I now have three bikes that are too big but I will keep at least one of them I just don't know which...I am thinking I need to suck it up and sell them all to buy a ti mountain frame to build into a cross bike. Sacrilegious?

Well, if it really doesn't fit and you can't ride comfortably, then..... I think an easy decision. Mine fits, but I'm running out of room in my garage. :(

Now that I've seen a side view I can say with confidence that it's an early '90s bike. No later than '95. :thumb:

Yeah, mine is a '92.

That's no 56cm. Looks more like a 52 or 54cm to me. How did you get 56? It is definitely an early 90's with the fastback seat stays.

+1, that looks like a 54cm. I have an 89 Sirrus that is 54cm and they look awfully close.

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/j...s/3d1458be.jpg

As has been mentioned a few times...that shot is of DVC45's Sirrus and not mine. Mine is in fact a 56 measured center to center.

I didn't want to post a pic of mine yet until I got it cleaned up but to debunk any mystery I'll show her in "as found" condition.
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=140473

yeah that looks more like a 56cm. Many of us here don't read, we just look at pictures and a few key words. Kind of like selective hearing. :P

Yeah, I didn't read through it well enough.

My wife has claimed that I have selective hearing for the whole 26 years that we've been married. While we were engaged, though, I didn't seem to have the problem... :P

Of course, wedding cake seemed to make her gain weight, so I guess we BOTH have gripes!!! I can't believe I just said that... oh myyyyyy :o

^^^ my bad!! ;)