benXVX

So for the past year and a half i have been riding a really old road bike that i got for free. It has served me well but it is super heavy and just old so i figured i should upgrade. I don't care to have anything super fancy just something reliable and still a decently good bike. I came across this and i was hoping for some suggestions since I do now know that much about bikes and also the description is not very good...

https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=190247336693

Does anyone know if that model would be an aluminum frame? How much is it really worth? Any other general suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks!


PS i realize the shipping is really expensive but I will be able to pick it up, which helps a lot.

Fat Boy

That bike is aluminum, but don't buy it. The older Cannondales had a really rough ride. You'd be better off searching around on Craig's list for a while until you find something that works better for you.

Honestly, if weight is the only thing that you want to buy a new bike for, then you should probably not buy a new bike. It isn't that big of a deal unless you're riding a 70's Schwinn Varsity. And if you are, then that's 'vintage' now and is probably worth something!

For inexpensive bikes, look for steel. They'll be heavier than the similar AL bikes of their era, but they tend to ride better. You can get an older Nishiki, Bridgestone, Raleigh, Schwinn, etc. for next to nothing and if you choose wisely, you can have a nice bike for not much coin.

BarryJo

It would be difficult to consider that bike much of an upgrade, even if it is only $1.00 + $150 shipping. I would save up $300-400 and get a newer (2005 or newer) used al Giant TCR, OCR or similar bike....

Business810

As the owner and rider of an '83 Cannondale, I disagree. Yes, it is stiffer and a bit harsher than most new carbon bikes, but it really is not that bad. To each their own, I suppose.

That doesn't mean that that specific bike is a good buy, though. That bike looks to be a bit beat up and neglected, judging by the bar tape and missing hoods. If you can pick it up locally, I'd pay up to $150-200, but otherwise I would pass entirely.

As BarryJo suggested, you may be able to find something much nicer on craigslist for a bit more money. Out of curiosity, what do you ride now? That will make a huge difference in knowing how much of an upgrade it might be.

monk

I hate it when they jack up the shipping costs on ebay in an attempt to compensate for what they fear will be a low sales price. That alone would keep me from buying it.

Homebrew01

The seller should have said what the reserve amount is. It will cost a bit to fix up. If you can do it yourself, it will be cheap, but a shop will charge some to fix the brakes, front shifter, adjust gears, replace cables & tires etc...

If it's local, perhaps the seller would let you take it to a shop for a pre-purchase estimate to get it back on the road.

It would make a fine cruising around bike. It has clipless pedals, so you will need real cycling shoes, or swap them out for "regular" pedals. It's a 60 cm (apparently), so that would fit someone 6' - 6' 2" or so (roughly).

What type of riding do you think you'll be doing ?

benXVX

thanks for all the advice!

the problem with craigslist is that i am from a small town (redding, ca.) and its very rare that road bikes pop up on there. when they do, they are usually too small or the price range is $1,000 plus which i cannot afford.

as far as what i ride now, i am not really sure haha. the frame has been painted so there is no original markings to tell what it is. but the best of my knowledge its from the seventies and it is steel. its really heavy and the gears are slowly getting worse and worse.

the type of riding i would need it for would mainly be just for around town and to work. I also usually go for a ride to our dam up here about once a week, which is about 25-30 miles and has some pretty steep inclines. So nothing too extreme but still it would be used often.

If i had to pay that much shipping, i would definitely not even consider it. I am able to pick it up but i would still have to pay $40 shipping due the fact they already had it professionally packed.

My price range is $300-$400 but i figured if i got this one for under 100 or 150 i could spend some money fixing it up.

these are the other two bikes i have been considering as well...

https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=130248175954

https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=170255348311

the second one i would have to remove the aero bar things and also get new pedals.

any more suggestions now? thanks again! this is helping a ton.

climbhoser

I think the Guericoti at the current price is the best deal. I ride an '89 C'dale and LOVE it. It's stiff, but I like it that way...twitchy and quick quick quick. I wouldn't pay over $150 for that, though.

You like C'dale get on google and put in "Cannondale 3.0 craigslist" or "cannondale 2.8 craigslist" or "Cannondale criterium craigslist." Haggle with the seller and see if they'll ship. I hate E-Geh.

Check this guy out: https://chico.craigslist.org/bik/814735564.html He's in Paradise...not too far from ya. I would talk him down, maybe try and get him at 300

Or this guy: https://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/bik/813371968.html Which has a modern headset, is in great condition, and has some modern parts to go with it...a smokin' deal I wish I could afford. Original Modolo Italian bars, too, which you can sell or keep. I have a set if anyone wants 'em

I'm obviously a big fan of the older Cannondale stuff. You can also find CAAD 3 and CAAD 4 bikes on craigs for nickel and dime pricing. One popped up here with quality Campy, semi-modern (ergo shifters, at least) and everything you need for $300. Wish I had $300 at that moment! Oh, here it is: https://denver.craigslist.org/bik/782689406.html


This might be the dopest deal of all: https://chico.craigslist.org/bik/795806800.html

And this guy ain't bad for super local pickup: https://redding.craigslist.org/bik/767057983.html

climbhoser

Oh yeah, screw e-gay.

Rob P.

With $400 and your intended use, I'd say you need to head on over to the Bikes Direct website. They have several entry level bikes in your price range. New bikes, no "fixing up" required.

Of the 2 ebay auctions you linked, I'd consider the Trek and skip the custom framed bike (lots of corrosion which shows that no one cared about it. Which is strange for a full custom frame since they cost so much. Unless the frame is cr@p.) The Trek is alum though and shows some wear and tear. I'd be concerned that the frame has started to reach the end of its fatigue lifespan which is why it is being sold.

Homebrew01

These are auctions, so "current price" is meaningless. It could double 5 minutes from now.

But nice job finding the OP some good links !

climbhoser

Which is why I said "screw E-gay!" I took the understanding that "current price is meaningless" as self evident...sort of implied a "good luck...if so then great, but probably not so don't even try."

Phantoj

"The shipping will be $150.00 to all 50 states via ups ground."

not a good deal... incidentally, the decals are not original...

climbhoser

Yeah, it wasn't until the '90s that they started putting logos on the downtube. Didn't even think about that initially. That makes me suspect that bike even more.

benXVX

I have definitely been considering the guy in paradise. I am afraid he may be measuring the frame wrong though.

The one in chico and the one in redding i both contacted the day after they were put up and they were both already sold. Quite a bummer

Thanks again for all the help!

benXVX

I actually just found this one as well and i am pretty intrigued....

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/bik/817219314.html

thoughts on this one? Thanks!

climbhoser

Ben,

Sorry I didn't reply to this...work gets crazy and I didn't follow this thread well. Anyhoo, what makes you think the guy in Paradise isn't measuring right? Seems like he's following four schools of thought on it.

Lots of people measure C-C, which is Center of the BB to Center of the top tube. Some measure C-T and mean Center of BB to top of top tube while others mean Center of BB to top of seatpost collar. A good guide is the 33 inch standover.

Don't be intimidated by the standover, as it's an older-style horizontal TT. My '89 Cannondale Crit 3.0 is a 58, I believe, with a 56 inch top tube. This is a vastly different geometry than modern road bikes. I'm 5'10" with a 34" cycling inseam (my pants inseam is 30"), and I fit it perfect with about an inch of standover clearance.

I have a 100mm stem on, but could probably manage a 110 but would be stretched out. Guy I bought it from was 6' and had a 120mm stem on and it fit him well.

Guess what I'm trying to say is I think the guy is being straight up and just trying to give you an objective measure. I think his price is too high, but it's a bang-up bike. Give him a ring!