Update: The frame is 57/58cm. (Frame height is 57, length 58). Do you think this might work for me? This listing seems too good to be true. Also, because the bike I used for 35 years is a Specialized Hard Rock sport.

Seller confirmed $100....

The model of your previous bike has nothing to do with the size you need. You probably know that, but you used the word "because" for some reason.

A 57/58 size might work but you should try it to know. You can say better than we can.

Then again, at $100 there is little risk. If it doesn't fit, you can sell it for a profit.

Thanks for your reply. I just meant that I’m attached to Specialized. Do you think it might be a little small? Googling it, it says that frame size would roughly cover 5’9”- 6’…


however, that is AI…

Fit on bikes with flat handlebars is a bit less critical than on drop-bar bikes. That said, the bike should be a very good fit for you.

About the price: used and new bikes were selling at premium prices during the pandemic, but asking prices have plummeted in the last year. My guess is that the seller just wants the bike gone and isn't concerned about the disparity between the original new price and the asking price.

If everything works on the bike, the frame and fork look good, and it fits well, I suggest paying the $100 before a bike flipper gets there ahead of you. If the bike is in good shape, a flipper would expect to be able to turn it around as is for at least double that price.

Thanks. It’s hard to tell from the only pic, but what year would you roughly say this bike is? Also, can you tell if it uses the clicking type shifters. The reason I returned the Priority Onyx was because the twisting shifter seemed to be effecting my wrist…

I agree the size is likely to be good for you, but you have to try it.

It's hard to tell from the picture what kind of shifters it has. I agree that twist shifters are lame. By calling them clicking shifters, you might be referring to trigger shifters. I like those a lot. I have them on my tandem.

Hi. So, I picked up the bike last night. $100. Test rode it in the dark for a bit and it felt pretty good. The seller was the original owner, but didn't remember when he actually bought it. He thinks it was roughly 2015 or so.

The bike has dual cleat/show pedals which are a little narrow, so I might replace them with my pedals.

Thanks everyone for your replies and advice.

It looks a little rough to me judging from the crank's paint, and the components are step down from the last two you posted. But the price is pretty hard to argue with. How does it seem once you check it out? Did original owner remember doing any maintenance?

Those are not 26" wheels or U brakes. I would've had concerns,but if you met the seller and they were the original owner then they're just confused. Glad it worked out for you.

These are caliper brakes and not U brakes? Are U brakes a lot more expensive? I haven't had a chance to check yet, but what size do you think the tires are?

Either way, at $100, I was happy with it and suppose I could upgrade down the road if necessary.

Those are V-brakes, also called linear pull brakes. The wheels have a 700c diameter which is very slightly smaller than 27". Weirdly, in Europe, they call 700c 28" and that's funny because they don't even use inches there.

U brakes were used on mountain bikes for two or three seasons in the late '80's and then disappeared. They were fine (I had them on a 1986 Cannondale), but V brakes are fine, too, and are still used on many bikes.

There's nothing you need to upgrade on that bike.

Unless you want wider tires. Installation of tires that are as wide as can possibly fit a given bike is a current fad among Bike Forums denizens, but if it were my bike, I'd put in a few hundred miles on the bike as is and think about wider tires down the road.

I agree. I think it's good to go. I'll give it a first try out tomorrow. Would you say 26" tires are better than 700c or just different?

700c is the most common tire size for road and off-road bikes (tires for the latter are labeled 29", but the bead seat diameter is the same). Those tires are available in many widths, tread patterns, etc., from many manufacturers.

26" is now effectively a defunct size, with limited tire choices and availability.

So, I inflated the tires to 85 psi last night. Front tire is fine. But rear tire went completely flat in a few minutes after a short ride the tires were pretty low before I inflated them to 85 I inflated them using an air compressor machine, which I usually do for my older bike. It doesn’t seem like there’s any issue with the tire. Did I do something wrong?

I'd suspect a failure in the tube in the rear tire at the base of the valve. If the bike was ridden (by you or the previous owner) while the pressure was very low, the pedaling force might have caused the tire and tube to shift, which often tears part of the base of the valve away from the tube.

A pressure of 85 psi is pretty high for a hybrid bike like your Marin. Tests have shown that comfort, bike handling, and even rolling resistance are often improved by using a pressure somewhat lower than the maximum the tire can take.

Here's a tire pressure chart that can provide guidance based on total weight (you plus the bike), tire width, and riding conditions.

I understand. I took it on a ride around the block a couple of times on what I discovered later was pretty low pressure (25 ish). I then inflated both tires to 85. Recommended pressure is 75-100. Would you say that I should have gone with 75?

Moving forward, do you think I damaged the inner tube?

(1) Look at the chart I linked to and calculate the correct pressure.

(2) Either you or the previous owner damaged the tube. Either way, replace it. If you don't remember how, look at some videos on the topic or take the bike to a local bike shop hand have them replace it.

The recommended tire pressure printed on the tire's sidewall is a guideline, and I suspect it's also to reduce liability. You can usually go below the minimum, and sometimes you may want to go above the maximum. Use that chart trakhak provided. Bear in mind that all tires seep air to various degrees, so after a while, your tires will be underinflated. So the ideal pressure for riding is not necessarily the ideal pressure when it's time to inflate. If you are not going to measure and fill up every week, it's a good idea to overinflate a little (5 to 10 psi) so you can forget. Everyone forgets.

There are actually 28" tires,ETRTO 635. Pashley used to use them(prolly still do) as well as 26x1 3/8,cuz why use 622/559?

Fuji,for reasons known only to them,used U brakes on the rear of several years of hybrids,the Absolute IIRC. Perfectly stupid idea for no good reason. It's a hybrid,so doesn't need to be super aero,they set them up to use rear mounted kickstands,so a V brake wouldn't have been in the way,and they still had a seatstay bridge,so it didn't help the ride. some Tri bikes use U brakes to be aero,but they at least need to be.

I prefer 26" because of quicker handling and acceleration,plus no toe overlap.

I wouldn't say defunct,there are many bikes out there that were 26",and there are still a decent assortment of tires and wheels. 650B was defunct,then came back,so it's not out of the realm of possibility that 'they' won't rediscover 559 and it'll become the hot new thing.