alextril

Hey there,

I new to riding with any seriousness(road when i was a kid) and am looking at used bikes that I can use for my commute and to get a feel for what I like in a bike before buying something new and spending a bunch of money.

Just checked out the bike in the below link and wanted to see if this was a good deal for this bike. It was in pretty good condition and felt like it was the right size. Overall I liked it... I was a bit concerned that it had down tube shifters as I've never used those before and it felt weird taking my hand off the bike to shift but I guess I can get used to that(hope it's safe for San Francisco) and it's kinda charming...

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/bik/2267204950.html

What is the right price to pay for this bike? Any other thoughts? Excited to get into cycling!

-Alex

frpax

Around here (Phoenix area), $295 will get you a nicer bike if you exhibit a little patience. Bay area, though... maybe not!
I'm not a fan of turkey levers and stem shifters. Those 2 features generally indicate lower end bikes.

Sixty Fiver

Nishiki made very nice bicycles... the Sport was their entry level offering and $295.00 is far more than one should pay for this bike.

It is still a nice bike but really overpriced for what it is.

monsterpile

+1 For that kind of money you can start looking at new bikes. What is your budget and what kind of bike are you looking for?

LeeG

The right price is whatever someone pays for it. While it is in good shape for $300 I'd keep looking or consider a BikeDirect product.

canyoneagle

While Nishikis are excellent bicycles, $295 is way too much for that bike.
Assuming (by the SF Bay CL ad) that you will be dealing with steep hills, you might be better off finding a fully rigid (no shocks) mountain bike from the 80's or 90's and equipping it with slick tires. For $300 you can get a great older mountain bike.

If your budget allows, it is also worth looking into Cyclocross or Touring bikes if your preference is a drop-bar bike (versus flat bar).

HardyWeinberg

Offer him $150 see what happens

modernjess

+1 they are asking too way much. In my mind that's a $150-175 dollar bike tops. Stem shifters mean low grade component group and bike. I like the frame though I'd be interested in the frame for a project bike but not much more.

anastrophe

+1 way overpriced, even for a hot market like SF. if you need more input you might ask over in C&V.

LeeG

check out Recycled Bicycles in Berkeley. You're willing to pay way too much money for an entry level road bike from 30yrs ago. Reduce you price range to under $100 with $50 for locks or go ahead and get something like this.

https://www.rei.com/product/782563

alextril

Thanks everyone!

This is really helpful.

So to give anyone who has advice to give some more context...

What I'm looking to do is start off by spending under 400 on a good used road bike or under 800 on a decent new bike... primarily/initially I will only use the road bike for city commuting. That said, I will take a few longer rides with it and would like to gauge over time how much I enjoy riding more seriously... if I get to a point where I feel like I'm ready I would invest in a new $1,000+ bike.

Any thoughts on how to approach this initial step? Part of me wants to just go ahead and spend 900 or 1000+ on a new bike but I'm concerned about security and, also, just not getting enough use from it.

Should I be patient and wait for the right used bike to come along? Should I spend a little more and get something like a this for $500.

https://skagitcyclecenter.com/product...el-59487-1.htm

What do you think about that Specialized Allez Steel for $500?

I'm struggling to decide between new/used and sub$800/$1000+

Also, I'm wondering if I would want to explore touring bikes...(i tried a Bianchi Volpe and liked it...)

Thanks in advance for everyone's input. Looking forward to joining the community.

-Alex

LeeG

commuting, worried about security, road riding, possibly touring, between $300 and $1000. No problem.
1. get a couple good locks and make sure the bike can be safe at work. If you can't feel secure leaving the bike locked at work/school you shouldn't be looking at new bikes and the loss of a $400 used bike will feel just as bad as $800 new bike with $200 in accessories. If you're going used look for something really used.
2. nix on the Allez, I commuted on racing bikes, because it's what I had swapping commutting/racing wheels as needed. If you don't need a racing bike but are commuting considering touring then fatter tires and brazeons for racks/load carrying is a priority.
3. if the bike can be secured and you aren't worried about theft then go shopping! Local store here had a Masi Speciale for 25% off. You should be able to find a generic sport road/tour bike for $800.

alextril

Thanks Lee!

What do you think about taking this Nishiki if he'll give it to me for $150 or so... use that as my beater and then take my time to find myself a nice new bike in the next few weeks/months...

LeeG

if you KNOW it's the right frame size for you and it's in as good condition as it looks $150 would be reasonable. The person who owned it was too small for it given the seat position. The price the person is asking appears to be the new price plus inflation. Which is kind of a funny pricing for a bike with no special attraction.

Santaria

It is very overpriced, but I noticed he's said repeatedly (from the indications of the bikes he's pointing out) that he doesn't want a vintage 80s mountain bike with slicks. Odd how that's all he keeps getting referenced to, or flat bar bikes exclusively.

monsterpile

There are lots of options in that wide price range. I doubt that guy will drop his price in half, but you can try.

Also welcome to the world of cycling. =)

If you want a bike to test the waters of road biking while commuting try looking online at places like Bikesdirect.com for some cheap bikes, but you can't ride them first and you have to put them together. If this interests you there are other places to look just ask.

Here are a couple of bikes at the store you posted the specialized bike that might be nice and probably a better value.

This Torker is $500 and it even comes with fenders and a rack. Thats not bad at all.

https://skagitcyclecenter.com/product...an-80664-1.htm

This is a touring bike and its pretty nice for $650. I dont know about the quality of the disc brakes (you might end up upgrading them), but If was was going to buy a new full sized road type bike A touring bike would be my choice.

https://skagitcyclecenter.com/product...-tour-7589.htm

I would consider looking at what is on closeout right now at a few shops. It looks to me like the prices for used stuff is pretty high there just looking through the listings. You can probably find something eventually, but you have to be the first person with cash to get there. Used can be great if you know what you are looking for so if you want a cheaper bike keep looking. Buying a bike from a good LBS that will help you out making sure the bike is good to go and a bike that has some sort of warrenty is worth a few bucks as well.

LeeG

wow, those Torkers look like a good deal

Booger1

For $500/$650,I'd be taking a closer look at both of those bikes.Nice bikes for the money.I'd buy one.The touring one has Butted Reynolds 520 Cromo frame and GT Cromo fork.If I was looking,I would seriously be looking at the touring bike,I like it.

exile

Try to get the guy to lower the price. Otherwise, keep looking. Since you are not sure if you will keep up with it, continue to look around for something that catches your eye within your price range.

If your commute is short, any bike will do. If you want to go distances, again, any bike will do. Some bikes excel at certain things better than others. You could race in the Tour de France on a huffy mountain bike. However if you want to at least have a chance to win, another bike might be better.

alextril

Hey everyone.

Thanks for the input. I will keep you all posted on what I decide. I told this guy I would give him max $200 for this bike. This would allow me to have a beater to get to work or leave parked outside and then I can spend up to $800 on a decent new bike when I'm ready...

I'll keep a look out and any more advice is greatly appreciated!

Thanks again!

-Alex

Artkansas 

If the OP wants the bike, it can't hurt to offer the owner what the OP thinks it's worth. I think I'd guess in the 100-150 range max.

augustao

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/bik/2262023842.html

This looks good.

Ira B

If the bike fits you like a glove, flash $150 cash. If he balks just walk away and keep looking.

nashcommguy

Print this thread and show it to the owner. Most of the unsolicited advice calls for a price of 150.00. If he balks walk away and find something else.

monsterpile

After looking through the adds a few times it seems obvious used bikes cost money in that area. If you really want a beater there seemed to be some good deals on mountain bikes, but it doesn't sound like you want to go in that direction. If you buy a used road bike for $150 0r $200 and something goes wrong with it that you didn't notice the cost can add up fast especially if you pay someone to do the work for you. If you don't knwo what to look for your bargain beater might turn into a bit of a money pit. In your market and depending on your mechanical abilities or willingness to do work yourself you might be better off getting a nice deal on a new bike. In your market it looks like things may hold their value pretty well so if/when you want to upgrade it shouldn't be to hard to unload your bike if you need to. Don't get me wrong alot of the times if you are patient and wait for a deal used is the way to go, but be cautious and don't overspend on a used bike to save money it could end up costing you in the long run. Lie as other have said $150 should be the max for that bike. Now go find a smoking deal and post it here so we can all ooo and ah. =)

If you are interested in new bikes you have a performance bike shop in your area why not look and see what they have. They often have great online deals online so they might have something you like. If you are going to be commuting and therefore putting fenders and a rack on your bike that Torker is a really good deal and its pretty stealthy so you won't have to worry about it being stolen as much.

https://www.performancebike.com/bikes...10052_10551_-1