Advice on Craigslist Bikes
 

Hi! This is going to be one of those threads that have a tons of links (if this isn't the right place to post this, let me know and I'll delete/move it):
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst...981174427.html
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst...905227385.html
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst...943193380.html
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst...978126259.html <-that one's kinda fishy looking, barely any info & when I emailed the OP, I basically got "I'm not sure" about the type of bike, the frame & speeds..
http://ventura.craigslist.org/bik/3914340506.html

Any thoughts on what the prices should be and if it would be a good investment?

I've been looking for a good commuter/recreational bike and have been eyeing my local CL. I also live about 2-3 hours from LA(yay?) but am stopping in there later this week.

My preferences in bikes: I'm really short at 5' (and a little), so short people bikes have been in low supply - can't test ride at the LBS either since they don't have ones my size. I've been looking into getting a flat/slightly swept-back handles, with 700c tires, relatively lightweight, with multiple speeds (it's very hilly in my town) & hopefully looks kinda nice(& maybe wsd?). I've read quite a few postings about what would fit in this criteria and have come up with the Trek wsd fx 7.2, Trek Allant wsd (it just looks so darn cute!), the Kona Dew, the Cannondale wsd Quick 5 & the Giant wsd Escape 2/1. The Jamis Coda Sport Femme was one linked in frequency with those listed bikes, but no LBS holds them, I'd have to travel 2+hrs out. Sucks, since in terms of looks, I preferred that one the most. Was leaning towards just buying one at a LBS after test riding (following the advice of bikeforums) but none really my size.
TL;DR long story short, have fallen back on CL, where I can at least try the bikes..

Thanks if you could get through the blocks of txt without going mad :D.

At 5', I'd look for a vintage rigid mtb. They tend not to be expensive and the 26 inch wheels are a big, big plus in your case. You'll get a small bike that rides right. I wouldn't get this because it has a front suspension fork but the very first mtb listed on the LA CL has a 13 inch frameset: http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv...981462921.html

This one has nope all over it as the handlebars are backwards in all the pictures, now the bike could be fine if you turned them around but do you really trust buying a bike from someone who doesn't know which way they are supposed to go?

That made me laugh -- such nice pictures too! And it's not just the handlebars, nothing is installed wrong, the front wheel is just flipped around 180deg (you can see from the cables and front brakes that it's been flipped CCW, so just turn it back 180deg clockwise)

I wonder if the seller is getting rid of the bike because since it fell over one time, it has become suddenly and strangely uncomfortable to ride? (and the front brake is always rubbing on the wheel because the cable is always being pulled)

Anyways, all those bikes look fine. I'd go for either the Cannondale or Trek Road, since they have racks installed already. In L.A. the fenders on the Trek 7000 won't do you much good (although some recommend fenders even in dry weather just for overall bike cleanliness and long-lastingness).

And don't apologize for dropping tons of CL links. Those of us that enjoy that kind of thing (myself included) will read and comment, those that don't will ignore.

Look for a rigid mtb. 26 in wheels will help for your size, and also will accelerate faster than larger 700c wheels especially if your legs are short too.

Thanks, ended up getting the red Trek fx 7.3 '09 for 250$ :D. And yes, the Cannondale threw me for a loop, I knew there was something funky about it, and compared pics..figured since they didn't know what was going on with the bike that maybe I could bargain for a lower price. As it was, they were firm about the price, so I went ahead and got the Trek fx 7.3 for 250$ - the recommended price some other helpful bikeforum pro gave me :).

That's great! I assume you took it for a test ride around the block or something, and it felt like it fit?

sweet! post some pics. i'm picking up two new (used) bikes on Saturday :D

Thats a good price for 7.3 like others said post some pics. I like the FX line and so do alot of people. If you decide later you want something different it won't be hard to find a buyer.