looped5

Found this bike on ebay, just wondering if what the seller claims about the frame is true. It looks solid to me, but I'm no expert. I've researched most of the components, but can't find too much in particular on this model of frame.

https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...%3DI%26otn%3D2

kimconyc

AFAIK, Joe Gardin was a Canadian frame-builder, who is no longer alive.

The components are outdated although some crazy people on here will go on about how Shimano 600 is so awesome, etc.

Seller does not specify what grade of Columbus tubing is used (SL, SLX, TSX, Genius, etc.), which is pretty darn important if you ask me.

In summary, a fool and his money...

kimconyc

Also, the seller says that the bike was "treated like gold" yet puts on a saddle that has apparently been crashed and doesn't even bother to clean the bar tape.

I'm not Sherlock Holmes but...

kimconyc

Finally, the seller has no prior history.

looped5

yeah, it looks a bit sketchy. whats the difference between the frame grades?

he's also selling another bike (different make) with the same sort of story about visiting the manufacturer.

looped5

does $500 seem reasonable? (given worst case scenario)

kimconyc

Straight from the BF archives:
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...rdin-Road-Bike

kimconyc

https://www.google.com/cse?cx=0148031...ster%3Fc%3D555

looped5

i saw that, but wasn't sure how applicable it was since they were talking about a bike that was likely 5 or more years older. i've asked the seller what frame it is in the mean time. he does state though that the model is "team loria." my search on this didn't turn up anything.

kimconyc

How do you know the bike will fit you? Or do you just have a steel fetish from obscure and deceased frame-builders?

looped5

i had a slightly older Nishiki of the same size that fit brilliantly. other than the wheels needing to be replaced, that bike was perfect for me. it was stolen early last summer though. got a good deal on 2008 cannondale 60cm, but that frame was too small for my legs.

the thing i loved about that Nishiki was the rigidity of the frame. from what i've read about the gardin, it shares the same qualities.

operator

Look at the picture of the bike. The STI shifter derailleur housing is about 30x too short. If that's his bike I wouldn't really trust anything he says. Whoever "restored" that bike is a ******.

looped5

i didn't even notice that before. why the hell would anybody do that?