After months of looking on Craigslist, two perfect bikes pop up the same day. Both are $220 (one is actually more but it has a Brooks). Both are full Reynolds with good parts. One is in better shape, one I am more partial to.

1) 1984 Trek 560, great condition, tuned up, new tires. 63cm, just a tad big for me but I prefer larger frames. Used to have a 60cm I loved.
2) 1978 Raleigh Competition. My commuter is a '74 Raleigh Sports and my fixie is a Dunelt by Raleigh, so I'm kinda a Raleigh guy these days. Condition is a little more worn, needs a tuneup, but already has the bar tape I want.

The deciding factor may be that the Trek is 25 miles away and the Raleigh is 3 blocks away. Decisions decisions.

I'd go for the Raleigh if it's a better fit.

Raleigh/2big is 2big on the other

I'd go for the one that fit better. Prices on both are reasonable. All things being equal, I'd take the trek.

Any techhnical reason why the trek is better? I think the rear is indexed, which is nice.

Fork looks funny on the bottom one... if you go for that, check carefully

Whichever fits, as the others have said.

The Raleigh is worth more than the Trek, if you're looking for an investment(as long as it's in reasonable condition).

My 2 cents

Edit: I just saw the CL ad for the Comp GS. The price is listed at $300

I agree with PARS, the Trek fork looks questionable

Go with the old Raleigh

Raleigh it is. The bent fork issue nails it. I mean, maybe it's just the photo, but I'm not experienced enough to tell in person. Plus, if I buy the Raleigh, I'm basically getting the saddle for half price AND I get to be a Campy snob. Also, I might commute with this sometimes so I need fenders, whci the trek has no room for.

the one at top!

forks are good unlike otherbike
chrome rear end
brooks saddle?
the frame is 60cm
looks all original appart from brake cable changes

did you buy it yet?

Can't hardly go wrong with the Raleigh.

The Trek does look to have a bent fork.

+1

If not for the bent fork, I would have said buy them both, ride them for a couple weeks, and keep the one you like better. I predict you'll like the Raleigh just fine at any rate. But if you don't shorten that rear brake housing, you're going to catch flack from the other snobs. Forewarned is forearmed.

Got the Raleigh. It rides beautifully. So much better than my old '89 Fuji that was my only other geared road bike experience. The cables are pretty messy, it all works well. Decals removed and some bad lug touchup paint, but otherwise it's a gorgeous machine. I ended up giving the guy $280 including the saddle. I was gonna go cheaper without the saddle, but it's an original to the bike and in really good shape.

Except I want to upgrade to bar-end shifters. And so it begins.

Attaboy!

You can get decals

Could be factory

Congratulations, I'd love to find something like that in my size!

Buy the Trek! :-) Buy American! Love America, but buy the Raleigh! Lol :-) Definitely buy the Raleigh! If the Raleigh was 25 miles away would you buy the Trek? I hope not! A beautiful bike is a beautiful bike. I have done an eight hour round trip for a PX-10 that was in beautiful original condition. The distance to a great bike should never be the reason for not geting it! Great and smart choice! Thanks!

Flash

"If the glove don't fit..." If you're buying a bike to ride, fit is the most important thing...by which I mean it has to fit as perfectly as possible...chosing the less poorly sized of two bikes is not a good way to go, IMHO. You'll never be completely satisfied with your choice. If you're buying to fix up and sell, that's another issue. Both the Trek and Raleigh are fine bikes. I prefered the Raleigh.

I've been happy on bikes from 58 to 64, but I can't go smaller than 58. Weird.