recordingwicket

Hey! Never owned a bike before and I found a 26" Univega on Craigslist for $125. Just curious if it would be a decent purchase? I'm just looking to casually bike on the sidewalk and on a bike trail near my house, nothing serious. Unfortunately I can't post a picture of the bike since I just got this account :/ Really sorry if this is the wrong place to ask this question

andrewclaus

Can you type out the link to CL? It's impossible to help without a few more details.

alcjphil

Is 26" the wheel size or the frame size?

mstateglfr 

If it fits, it shifts well, and it brakes properly- then $125 is a great deal for any bike that can do those things.
More details will obviously give you more feedback from the forum, but the above comment will still be true.

recordingwicket

Unfortunately it doesn't let me post a URL without 10 or more posts :/ I get how its impossible though, I wish I could post the pictures

recordingwicket

26" is both the wheel and the frame size according to the seller

recordingwicket

Got it! Sadly I can't post the link w/o 10 posts so I can't give more details I guess haha. Thank you!

FBOATSB

@recordingwicket, there's one pic in your gallery.

recordingwicket

Oh yeah there it is! That's convenient, I guess that happened when I tried to originally upload it earlier. Thank you for pointing that out! Does it look to be in good condition?

andrewclaus

Do you know the difference between cantilever and linear pull brakes? I would look for something with linear pull brakes, if possible. Cantilevers are difficult to keep in proper adjustment, and from the photo it looks like these, like most, are not adjusted correctly. If you get a chance to ride it, and it doesn't skid when you apply the both brakes firmly, it will take some skilled work to adjust and possibly rebuild the brakes.

Many bikes of this age have problems with the shifters, typically from old grease that has to be flushed out with solvent. It's usually not a deal-breaker, but it takes some work.

As said above, if it stops well and shifts well, it's a probably a good deal.

It looks like an old bike, maybe from the 80s or early 90s, and will probably need other work like wheel bearing and headset service.

Korina

Grab it. Grab it now! It's not a top-of-the-line bike, but it's a good one, and if it's really in the condition it appears to be in, it's well worth $125. Have you bought it yet??

Also, post pics when you get it, just make sure to show the other side of the bike.

Korina

I beg to differ; cantis are indeed a PITA to set up, but once set up properly, they generally stay adjusted. And, I've never had a problem stopping any of my bikes.

curbtender

That is a smaller framed bike. If you are over 5'6", I'd look for something taller

alcjphil

26" is the wheel size, not the frame size. From the picture, it is a small size frame, probably anywhere from 14-16"

recordingwicket

I am below 5'6", so I think I'm fine regarding that haha

ofajen

^^^^^ This. If it does all that, buy it now. And ride it. A perfectly good first bike. Later on, if you want something newer and nicer, you can sell it for the same or higher or donate it to someone and feel good about it.

Otto

recordingwicket

I'll try and see if I can get it! I'll take pictures of it if I get it, thank you!

recordingwicket

I have no idea what the difference is unfortunately For an old bike like this one, would I be able to take it to a bike shop to see if they could fix it (if there are any problems with it)?

andrewclaus

Yes of course, but it would add to your cost. A quick knowledgeable test ride would easily identify braking, shifting, or drive train problems.

FrankDiscussion

That looks like a nice ride!

recordingwicket

Got it, thank you!

andrewclaus

So did you get the bike? Around here, if it's rideable, it would be long gone by now.

I volunteer at a non-profit shop that receives donated bikes and repairs them for people who need bikes. We sell some nicer bikes to cover costs. It's been a lot of work to keep up with the demand these past two years.

Jeff Neese

There's nothing wrong with cantilever brakes. I have a box of V-brakes that I have taken off bikes and replaced with cantilevers. And those look like old thumb shifters which are generally bullet-proof. If they're sticky they generally only need to be flushed out with WD40.

I would recommend anyone not mechanically inclined take a used bike to their LBS for a "tune-up" anyway. Have the wheels trued, brakes adjusted, and replace what might need it, like cables, brake pads, and tires. Even if he spends another $125 at the shop, it's still a better bike than anything he can buy new for $250.

Jeff Neese

That was a lower-end model from Univega, but it's still a pretty decent bike and those are fairly bomb-proof so they make good beater bikes. It depends on how rideable it really is and how much more money you need to put into it. Used bikes always need some work or replacement parts, and having the wheels professionally trued and tensioned is always a good idea above everything else.

Inusuit

I'd buy it for that if it fit me, which is doesn't. But I would also planning on spending about the purchase price for a tuneup at a good bike shop. It may not need that, but would be worth it to me to have it inspected and adjusted.