I started riding a bike earlier this month and I have found a bridgestone 700 that I here so many great things about. I was planning on buying a brand new bike off of BD in september but would buying the 700 be better then buying a brand new bike or is buying an older bike like that just cool and nothing else. I do plan on doing some modding but I don't have to.

I guess what I am asking is an older bike like a bridgestone 700 better then a new bike?

Thank You

Max

The Bridgestone 700 is a VERY nice bike. To get a comparable ride from BD, you would probably spend $1000 or more...IF you could find a comparable bike...A lot depends on
A: Does the bike FIT you.....if not.....PASS
B: Condition....How has it been treated, how much work does it need...
C: Cost...if it is a decent price, you will probably get more bang for the buck from the Bridgestone than ANYTHING new for comparable price.
D:Are you Mechanically inclined, can you or will you do your own work, or will you have to pay a LBS to do it all? Important to consider.

Welcome to the Forum

Technology WILL be old school, but GOOD STUFF on a GOOD FRAME...nice ride!

pps I ride a 87 Bridgestone 550

Depends on price, fit and condition. Without pictures we will likely be of little help The 700 is a fine bicycle if it is in good shape and fits the criteria.

I bought a mid 90's Nishiki road bike last September for $100. I put about another $100 into it and rode the heck out of it October, November, April and May. I wanted to start riding with some faster groups so bit the bullet and dropped coin on a 2012 Defy in June. But, that very basic 7 speed, downtube shifter, 4130 frame Nishiki was absolutely adequate for some really hard and reasonably fast riding. The big advantage from my perspective to a new(er) road bike is the shifters. I've got a 2012, Shimano 105 component group on the Defy and the single biggest thing that jumped out at me right way was the STI shifters. Love them. But if you're just getting started on the road and don't want to spend a bunch of money on something new right away, an older road bike in good shape is a great option. Just make sure it fits.

I'm picking it up for 160

the top tube is 21 inches I think and I am 5 foot 10 I think that fits

got it!!!!

Looks like really great bike for $160 the price condition look's to be very goood to exceptional. I think you did good even after you spend maybe a $100 or so geting it fully tuned and serviced and possible x facters. You should have a very nice ride You would have to spend 3x maybe 4X the money to find a nicer bike online. Also with online bikes you half to figure $100-150 in value cost if you don't do it yourself for full assembly and dealer setup prep work.

Thank you very much there are some things I am trying to figure out about the bike but I am almost 100% sure about. I don't think the bike is stock because it is a 85 and while comparing it to the catalog posted on sheldon brown's site(https://sheldonbrown.com/bridgestone/...stone-700.html) my bike has mavic ma2 wheels, suntour superbe pro derailers, and a campagnolo 52/39 crank that I think is a chorus. If those are not original to the bike, which I think they are not, does it hurt the value of the bike and are those components better then stock or would I be better looking for the stock parts. Even more would it be better to mod this bike with even better parts or just keep things original. Gosh I have so many questions!

Keep these parts if they work good they are vintage correct very nice good working parts about as it get's for the bikes vintage. They may be upgrades or orginal to the bike either way keep them. no need to upgrade. They are worth about what you paid for the bike by themselves maybe a bit more.

Very cool I just hate the shifters I kind of want to get the double tap style shifters but I'm going to start looking into getting the bike powder coated the original color(ordered decals an hour ago) and a proper seat for now.

I'm confused about wanting to powder coat the bike appears to have great original paint. Powder coating costs a bundle and would likely hurt value and not improve the bike looks wise.

There are a few scratches(under bottle holder and under the bike) and large blemishes(under the 700) in the paint so I would like to get it powder coated during the winter and put new decals on it to get it looking as close to it did the day it was assembled. I feel as long as I keep it a stock color I shouldn't run into any problems as far as value goes, unless it is truly going to hurt the value of the bike.

Nice purchase for the $160.

+1 on the components on the bike, highly sought after.

IMHO, as a 5'9" rider, that bike is too small! I ride 56cm and 58cm, but after deliberating while riding around on my 56cm Iron Man Expert, I decided that my preferred frame would be 58cm. So ride it for a while before investing any more money in it, other than routine maintenance.

Don't PC or paint it.

Don't paint or PC IMHO.
Ride it like you stole it for awhile and make sure it fits etc.
Then touch up with nail polish or Testors if you need to.

+1 Oddjob. That's a nice bike with really nice components and worth the money, but it's too small for you.

I'm going to remeasure it because I barely clears the top tube when I stand over it but it kind of feels too big lol. What is the right way to measure?

center of crank, the bolt, to seat post nut on top. I'd bet that's about 19" on that frame, 4" too short.

Honestly, if you feel it is at the limits of your comfort for standover height, then it is probably the right size for you. Still, I am pretty sure it is not too big for you.

I like a big frame and at 6' I prefer a 25" frame, although the difference between the standover height and my inseam is perilously close to zero. I rarely start or stop standing over the bike and when I do I just lean the bike to one side.

Actually as Oddjob points out it may be a bit small, but it does have a large long stem and what look like fairly large bars and most likely 175 cranks so it may be alright size wise this is something that can only be decided from some riding.

Its at 21 inches and my inseam is 30 inches so I think im fine I think the crank was 172 but ill give it another look

Take care of any rust right away; but other than that just re-grease it and ride it. You want about a fist full of seat post after you get your saddle to the right height. If you have a lot more than that the frame might be a little small.

the scrapes on it do not have any rust in them yet I am planning on hitting those spots with some clear but first I am trying to get a paint match to just blend in new paint to fix those scapes instead of just hitting it with clear but with no luck

and the crank arms are 170 if the bike was any bigger idk if id be able to keep both feet on the ground when just standing over the center tube

It's highly unlikely that a frame that size would have a 175 crank.

The bike is too small, but it's probably close enough that you can make it work. I'm 5'9" and I like a 55-56. that looks more like a 53-54. I have a couple that size and I made them work for me by making them upright riders.

Since this has been bumped again today I have a question

I hate my shifters is there any way that I can change to brifter style shifters like 105s and keep everything else?

I am 5'10 and ride a 54, a 58 is out of the question - couldn't stand over it and it looked goofy with only a half inch of seat post showing and the top tube of a 56 was crammed way up my crack. Even with the 54 and the sloped tube on my Jamis, I have about a 1/2 inch between the tube and the crotch, and I don't have enough seat post showing to clamp into my work stand. The top tube on my Miyata, a 21, sits right up against my crotch.

I dont doubt that I could ride a 56 but I am more comfortable on a 54.