Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Road Cycling
Reload this Page >

Used Bike!

Search
Notices
Road Cycling “It is by riding a bicycle that you learn the contours of a country best, since you have to sweat up the hills and coast down them. Thus you remember them as they actually are, while in a motor car only a high hill impresses you, and you have no such accurate remembrance of country you have driven through as you gain by riding a bicycle.” -- Ernest Hemingway

Used Bike!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 04-21-26 | 11:32 AM
  #1  
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Apr 2026
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Used Bike!

Hi guys! I'm new on this cycling word. I just bought this bike used, and apparently i need to do a few adjustments on it to fit my needs and fix some wrong previous setup ( Ex: Change Shifters and get a wider Handle Bar and maybe new high rise steam). My questions is , i did pay $350 for the bike, its worth to do those changes (Almost $300 plus in parts) or should i try to sell it and get other bike? Was the price a good price for this setup? Sorry if sound stupid, but I'm really newbie on this subject













luizphillipem is offline  
Reply
Old 04-21-26 | 12:21 PM
  #2  
datlas's Avatar
Should Be More Popular
Titanium Club Membership
15 Anniversary
Community Builder
Community Influencer
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 46,111
Likes: 11,715
From: Malvern, PA (20 miles West of Philly)

Bikes: 1986 Alpine (steel road bike), 2009 Ti Habenero, 2013 Specialized Roubaix

It's a fine looking bike, but whether you keep it or sell it really depends on whether it fits you properly and meets your needs/goals/expectations.

It's not easy to answer that on a forum. You may want to look at some youtube videos on "fitting your road bike" to get a sense on how to do that.
__________________
Originally Posted by rjones28
Addiction is all about class.
datlas is offline  
Reply
Old 04-21-26 | 12:35 PM
  #3  
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Apr 2026
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by datlas
It's a fine looking bike, but whether you keep it or sell it really depends on whether it fits you properly and meets your needs/goals/expectations.

It's not easy to answer that on a forum. You may want to look at some youtube videos on "fitting your road bike" to get a sense on how to do that.
I did a little bit of research on that, and i believe with those changes will fit right and i want to keep it. But I'm just trying to figure it out if is worth spending more to make it fit and maybe the final price goes around $700, I don't no if financially will make sense or just sell it and keep looking around for cheaper "ready to go" bike (if this exist) hahahah
luizphillipem is offline  
Reply
Old 04-21-26 | 01:56 PM
  #4  
Iride01's Avatar
Facts just confuse people
Titanium Club Membership
5 Anniversary
Community Builder
Community Influencer
 
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 19,268
Likes: 7,021
From: Mississippi

Bikes: Tarmac Disc Comp Di2 - 2020

With that tiny front ring I can't imagine what the previous owner was doing with it. Though for rides you are always climbing, then that'd be the thing to have. Seems to be a difference in the handlebars in the first and second picture. Did you rotate them up slightly? IMO, you need to rotate up more till the flat part just before the multi function levers is level. And then you'll need to find out what position on the curve makes the levers comfortable for you. Also the saddle looks too low. If it's the correct height, then the bike might be too large a frame for you.

You haven't said what kind of road biking you want to do. Moderate to fast pace for fitness. Or just out for a pleasant ride.

If you want to keep up with others in a group ride, you probably should sell that bike and look for another bike. Try for newer, with disc brakes, thru axles and is under 19 lbs. 2x front and 8 to 12 sprockets on the rear. And you should be able to find something used for the money you spent on that if you look and ask around enough. Especially for the 8 and 9 speed rears. Carbon fiber and aluminum frames will be more common and less expensive for a low weight frame, IMO. Very light steel bikes were few and far between. And the owner is likely to want a small fortune for it.
Iride01 is offline  
Reply
Old 04-21-26 | 04:16 PM
  #5  
Senior Member
5 Anniversary
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Active Streak: 30 Days
 
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 3,811
Likes: 1,448
From: UK
I din’t think they are multi-function levers. Just brakes. Bar end shifter. Interesting contraption. Super long bars. I’d hit my knee on that. Saddle super low, frame probably too big as you say.
Garmin mount seems to hop around between photos too.

1x with that small chainring is not going to keep up with any records but for just a bit of fun, prob quite low maintenance.

edit; I notice luizphillipem said “shifters” plural. Well if you put a front shifter on that, you also need a cable, derailleur and new double front crankset. That’s not going to be under $300 total.

Last edited by choddo; 04-21-26 at 11:43 PM.
choddo is offline  
Reply
Old 04-21-26 | 10:04 PM
  #6  
Arrowana's Avatar
Bike Sorceress
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,217
Likes: 451
From: MPLS

Bikes: Yes

First things first, check out the condition of the carbon fiber parts. The headset top cap looks like it could be a compression plug, which would indicate the fork has a carbon steerer tube. If the previous owner wasn't careful and overtightened the stem bolts, they may have cracked the steerer tube, making the bike unsafe to ride until the fork is replaced. Properly tightening the stem bolts is done with a torque wrench. If you don't have a torque wrench, get one, or bring the bike to a shop to have the steerer tube inspected and to have the headset readjusted afterwards. If it turns out your steerer tube is aluminum instead, then it is safe to raise the bars a bit by putting all of the spacers beneath the stem. I'd also check the wheels and the rest of the fork for cracks.

Assuming nothing is cracked, you have a decent collection of parts attached to a mediocre frame. Upgrading it or selling it to get something else both seem like valid options. Another route would be to swap the bars and/or stem, spend some time riding the bike, get the fit dialed in, learn what you do and don't like about it, then decide if you want to invest more in the bike, or move on to something else. The wheels are nice, you could find another road bike that would be compatible with them, swap wheels and brake pads, then sell this one.
Arrowana is offline  
Reply
Old 04-22-26 | 06:22 AM
  #7  
Senior Member
15 Anniversary
Active Streak: 30 Days
Active Streak: 60 Days
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3,031
Likes: 792
From: in a house

Bikes: Specialized Aethos, Specialized Diverge Comp E5 and 2025 Spesh Tarmac SL8 Expert

mediocre bike but a somewhat fair price
likely better off leaving it as it is and if you really love riding save for a nice bike but be knowledgeable if buying used
Kai Winters is offline  
Reply
Old 04-22-26 | 07:10 AM
  #8  
spelger's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 2,669
Likes: 1,386
From: reno, nv

Bikes: yes, i have one

i tend to agree with Kai. make some mechanical adjustment with what is already there and ride it for a few months. if you really like it you can either upgrade or buy something better.
spelger is offline  
Reply
Old 04-23-26 | 12:56 AM
  #9  
Senior Member
Titanium Club Membership
10 Anniversary
 
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 3,674
Likes: 2,051
From: Sussex County, Delaware
Yes, you paid too much. It looks like an Xtra-small frame set, are you small in size? Imo, it shows it's cheapness, especially, the wheels.
delbiker1 is offline  
Reply
Old 04-23-26 | 10:03 PM
  #10  
Senior Member
5 Anniversary
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Active Streak: 30 Days
 
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 3,811
Likes: 1,448
From: UK
350usd doesn’t buy a lot of bike around here. I don’t think you overpaid

it is a very small frame for sure. With a very low saddle. Looks like set up for someone about 5’ tall.
choddo is offline  
Reply
Old 04-24-26 | 02:55 PM
  #11  
Thread Starter
Newbie
 
Joined: Apr 2026
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by choddo
I din’t think they are multi-function levers. Just brakes. Bar end shifter. Interesting contraption. Super long bars. I’d hit my knee on that. Saddle super low, frame probably too big as you say.
Garmin mount seems to hop around between photos too.

1x with that small chainring is not going to keep up with any records but for just a bit of fun, prob quite low maintenance.

edit; I notice luizphillipem said “shifters” plural. Well if you put a front shifter on that, you also need a cable, derailleur and new double front crankset. That’s not going to be under $300 total.
on the end I gave it a try, just did change the right shifter (rear), the handle bar, cables and I few adjustments (chain, saddle height, flip the steam..). I was able to be on $300 right on. I'll try for a couple months and see how it goes.. probably change the ring in the future as well.. the frame itself is not short or big I believe (a 52 for me seems right for my size 5'7"). On the end my main goal is just to have a light and pleasure bike for commute and if I progress let's see the future! Thanks guys for all the valuable info, I will post pictures after the changes when I get home.
luizphillipem is offline  
Reply
Old 04-24-26 | 10:05 PM
  #12  
Senior Member
Titanium Club Membership
Community Builder
 
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 1,179
Likes: 230
That bike is fine. I have a build that is very similar to yours. I have a "Motobecane Record" frame that I built out with basic SuperTeam wheels. You have a much better derailleurs on yours. It appears that you actually have a carbon stem. That frame is actually of very good quality. Kinesis makes it in Taiwan. The welding, although not refined, is very well done. It's has stiff 7005 tubes and I find mine not to be overly "buzzy". In fact, it's quite nice to ride. Mine is in a more "racey" configuration with aero extensions and a zero set back stem. I use it as a back-up TT racer and trainer. Fast, acceptable weight. I don't think I'll ever get rid of it. All you need to be concerned about is if the frame size is right, are the crank arms the right length for you, and are you running quality tires. Otherwise, I think it was a very good buy for a general riding bike.
ArgoMan is offline  
Reply
Old 04-29-26 | 08:44 PM
  #13  
Gruppetto Bob
Titanium Club Membership
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Active Streak: 30 Days
 
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 11,416
Likes: 11,640
From: Seattle-ish

Bikes: Orbea Orca, Bianchi Infinito & Campione de Mundo

Congratulations. Hope it really works for you.
__________________
“A watt saved is a watt earned” 🚴🏻‍♂️
Not a CAT


rsbob is offline  
Reply

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.