Trying to purchase my first road bike and was wondering is a Cannondale 1988 SR600 for $450 worth purchasing? I would be using it extensively going around the city exploring it and would like to get people's opinion on it. The bike is listed on craigslist and would like someones opinion on it.

https://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/bik/3251848286.html

that is a road bike...

woops thanks for correcting my mistake.

it is a nice bike though.... does it fit? you'll notice that a lot of ppl on this forum have a sweet spot for older aluminum cannondales...

Meaning for my height? I am 5'11. To be honest I have no idea what I am getting in here. I just have a spontaneous urge to purchase a bicycle after my break up with my girlfriend. And if you would point me to the right direction to purchase the right bike to explore a city and for a beginner much would be appreciated.

Also grats on your 1337 post.

at 511 you should be able to ride a 58cm. I think 450 is expensive for that bicycle though.

What would a good price be for that bike? Also any place you can direct me to for a beginner interested in a road bike?

I not sure what the market is like where your located.Here in oregon $250-$300 is the going rate excluding portland where they tend to be priced about like the one your intrested in.It does seem to be in real good shape plus I love older cdales,they do ride pretty stiff however.

I think $450 is too much for that. Its nice but its nicer for $300. 25 years old, biopace cranks, downtube shifters, meh.

thats FULL retail in my area for that bike - dont get me wrong - it would be where i'd list it
but not where i'd buy it

+1 That's what I got for my last vintage Cdale in NJ. Sold it in spring to a young man from Staten Island. It doesn't matter the model, because all older Cdales look very much alike.

That bike has been on CL for a while, and today is the last day of Summer, so if it fits you and you like it, you can most likely bargain a good bit lower for it, especially if you are paying in cash. But if I were you, I'd be looking to ride a new one of these:

I see those pop up for $150 from time to time. They don't last very long at $150, but $450 is VERY ambitious.

Katerius, Even for NYC the price is a bit high, offer $375-400. A factor is that it appears to be very original (including the reflectors) and there's a modest premium for that. If it fits and you keep it the price will be forgotten.


A couple of weeks ago I found the sales recipt for my '89 Cannondale and was surprised at the price I paid... more than I remembered! Anyway nearly a couple of decades later it's value far exceeded it's cost.

Brad

up here in Seattle area that's a normal price with a 600 group

Looks good to me, I'm 5'11" and my SR500 fits fine,,

FYI: The bike has 6speed 105 on it.

I've got to get a bike like that.

Katerius,

In reading, it looks like you want to explore the city by bike.
In my opinion, a flat bar roadie with solid wheels, commuter tires, or a flip-flop single speed would be good for that.
Narrow road wheels and tires may not suit the terrain, but the road gearing covers ground well.

There are many folks here from NYC, Long Island, etc.
A few of them really know their urban getting around cycling.
Take what they say and apply it.

Around here, the Trek 800-900 series bikes can be had for cheap.
The better-equipped models with cantilver brakes go a bit higher.
They can be outfitted with road-type tires and are nearly bullet-proof.
If I was going to go urban cycling to explore things, that would be my choice.

I'd also get a darn good lock, maybe two, and a rack for sure.

Welcome to the forum.

I have got to start shipping to Seattle, and advertise on CL there.

It's already expensive, so you really want to spend that kind of money on a bike that's ready to go in urban areas.

To really be a great city bike, you'd likely need to beef up the tires, and get a rack.
Now, you're up to $500, and I think that's exorbitant. Heck, that's stimulus money.