Looking at a used bike.
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Kelso, Washington, USA
Posts: 59
Bikes: Fuji S-12-S
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Looking at a used bike.
While perusing the bikes that are way out of my price range, I saw a bike they had on consignment at the local bike shop, Highlander Cycling Imports. It was an old Fuji 10 speed with the biggest steel frame possible and 36 spoke wheels for $150. I can tell the frame is steel (the owner had a magnet handy). I do not know just how old the bike is. What I could see is that it has a lot of parts that look familiar from my cycling experiences 25 years ago. The Fuji nameplate on the front of the head tube is riveted on, not a decal. It really looks like a truly vintage piece. The owner says they tune up the bikes they sell on consignment. The only changes from an old school road bike ore the straight handlebar.
I'm a pretty big guy, and this is a pretty big bike.
Question is this: Is this as good a deal as I think it is?
I'm a pretty big guy, and this is a pretty big bike.
Question is this: Is this as good a deal as I think it is?
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Posts: 489
Bikes: '74 Schwinn Le Tour (x2), '83 Bianchi, '96 Trek 820, '96 Trek 470, '99 Xmart Squishy Bike, '03 Giant Cypress
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
If it is in good running order, and it fits you, you aren't being cheated.
On the other hand... if it needs new tires, chain, handlebar grips/wrap, cable and housing, etc. then you are not getting that great of a deal.
Of course it all depends on the market, too. I can't speak for your area... check your local Craigslist and get some prices on comparables.
On the other hand... if it needs new tires, chain, handlebar grips/wrap, cable and housing, etc. then you are not getting that great of a deal.
Of course it all depends on the market, too. I can't speak for your area... check your local Craigslist and get some prices on comparables.
#4
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Kelso, Washington, USA
Posts: 59
Bikes: Fuji S-12-S
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Early 80's it seems. went had a test ride of about a quarter mile, after showing the bike to my wife.
I think it is pretty cool. I am way not used to shifting gears. For that I'm not used to riding at all.
And the shop tunes the bike before letting out of the door, which would cost about half what the bike costs otherwise. The only mechanical issue I could detect on the ride was a buzzing from the front fender occasionally brushing the tire.
I think it is pretty cool. I am way not used to shifting gears. For that I'm not used to riding at all.
And the shop tunes the bike before letting out of the door, which would cost about half what the bike costs otherwise. The only mechanical issue I could detect on the ride was a buzzing from the front fender occasionally brushing the tire.
Last edited by Chugosh; 07-09-12 at 05:44 PM.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Victoria, Canada
Posts: 1,541
Bikes: Cannondale t1, Koga-Miyata World Traveller
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
$150 isn't a lot of money anymore. Many people blow through that in a night at the clubs and all they get for it is a hangover.
Talk to the LBS guys about bike fit and ask them if the bike is basically a good fit for you. If the answer is yes, then go ahead and buy it. If you really catch the biking bug, you will want a different bike in 3 months. On the otherhand, you may find out you hate biking. In either case, you sell the Fuji... So buy the bike, and get outside to enjoy some of this beautiful weather.
Talk to the LBS guys about bike fit and ask them if the bike is basically a good fit for you. If the answer is yes, then go ahead and buy it. If you really catch the biking bug, you will want a different bike in 3 months. On the otherhand, you may find out you hate biking. In either case, you sell the Fuji... So buy the bike, and get outside to enjoy some of this beautiful weather.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,053
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 16 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
If it is a road bike, I would ask if they would or could replace the straight bars with some bars with drops. Like others said ask about the fit. The fit needs to be somewhat in your range or you will never be comfortable on the bike.
I don't like spending $150 for an old bike but that price is probably as good of a price that you will find without taking a year or more and looking for the best deal in town.
I am thinking that once you get the bike and start riding it that you will be all smiles and glad that you have a bike to ride and exercise on. The bike may have 27" wheels and these are hard to find in 1" or less width but are readily available in 1 1/4" widths which work great for heavy riders. Also the 36 spoke wheels will help with a heavy rider.
So get it and ride it. If you decide you don't like it flip it and maybe you can make a few bucks.
I don't like spending $150 for an old bike but that price is probably as good of a price that you will find without taking a year or more and looking for the best deal in town.
I am thinking that once you get the bike and start riding it that you will be all smiles and glad that you have a bike to ride and exercise on. The bike may have 27" wheels and these are hard to find in 1" or less width but are readily available in 1 1/4" widths which work great for heavy riders. Also the 36 spoke wheels will help with a heavy rider.
So get it and ride it. If you decide you don't like it flip it and maybe you can make a few bucks.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Posts: 489
Bikes: '74 Schwinn Le Tour (x2), '83 Bianchi, '96 Trek 820, '96 Trek 470, '99 Xmart Squishy Bike, '03 Giant Cypress
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
With that said, one of the better upgrades on a nice old steel bike (particularly if it has steel wheels) is a new brake/wheel combo. Switch to some nice dual-pivot calipers and a good 700c wheel, and it's like a whole new bike, IMHO.
#8
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Kelso, Washington, USA
Posts: 59
Bikes: Fuji S-12-S
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
As I said on the general discussions forum, I got it!
Pretty, isn't she!
Pretty, isn't she!
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Mountain View, CA USA and Golden, CO USA
Posts: 6,341
Bikes: 97 Litespeed, 50-39-30x13-26 10 cogs, Campagnolo Ultrashift, retroreflective rims on SON28/PowerTap hubs
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 550 Post(s)
Liked 325 Times
in
226 Posts
Question is this: Is this as good a deal as I think it is?
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Stettler, Alberta
Posts: 230
Bikes: Trek 800, Free Spirit Town and Country, 80's Norco Nomad
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Yes she is. Bikes are like cars too, right?...in terms of people liking them or not. I think she's very pretty and would keep the handle bar as it, however I'm a town and country type of bike guy.
If the bike needed nothing, then $150 is a good price. Even if it needed some dough put into it, if you like it, do it. You're not saving up for your future, you're getting a bike you like to look at and like to ride.
If the bike needed nothing, then $150 is a good price. Even if it needed some dough put into it, if you like it, do it. You're not saving up for your future, you're getting a bike you like to look at and like to ride.
#12
Watching and waiting.
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Mattoon,Ill
Posts: 2,023
Bikes: Trek 7300 Trek Madone 4.5 Surly Cross Check
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 11 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
Posts: 489
Bikes: '74 Schwinn Le Tour (x2), '83 Bianchi, '96 Trek 820, '96 Trek 470, '99 Xmart Squishy Bike, '03 Giant Cypress
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I figure that tons of people will pay $150 for a department store BSO. If you don't think this Fuji is better than one of those, I'd suggest you were nuts.
#14
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Kelso, Washington, USA
Posts: 59
Bikes: Fuji S-12-S
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I just got back from about three and a half miles on the Fuji, and it did quite well. I just rode around the neighborhood the longest way I could without hitting too many of the cul de sacs. May not seem like a lot to the centurions out there, but it is further than I have done in ten or twenty years.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Specter3
Classic and Vintage Bicycles: Whats it Worth? Appraisals.
3
06-27-12 10:26 AM