ahud

Hello,

I'm looking for my first road bike. Looking to get train and hopefully get into racing. Heres the bike I am looking at. What do you think?

https://charlotte.craigslist.org/bik/2401310198.html

CNY James

I'd pass... IMO not worth what he is asking... you can find a newer bike with newer components in the same price range. keep shopping.

just my $.02

urbanknight

In my personal opinion, integrated brake/shift levers (so about 1993 and up) are a minimum requirement if you want to get into racing. The bike you is way too old to be fetching that price, and you can get a "modern" setup for that budget if you are patient.

cyclingvirtual

Do you want a vintage bike ??? otherwise dont bother

giantdefy

what a rip off! That bike has got to be around 15 years old! Replacing worn parts can add up easily to over $1000. Tires and tubes alone can cost $100. Take a look at the Specialized Allez https://mikesbikes.com/product/11-spe...le-72351-1.htm . $800 is more than $550, but you wont have to replace parts, lifetime warranty on the frame and none of the issues of a beat up bike.

kenji666

Here's another thread about the same bike:

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...o-Carbon-56-cm

creativepart

As the others have said... not really a "find" in any category. The 14-speed is a dead giveaway for the age. Road bikes went from 14, to 16 to 18 speeds and since about 2007 or so have been 20 speeds. And, the "105" group that's on there is light years behind a current 105 group.

That's a $125 bike in my estimation.

Are there true "vintage" 14-speed road bikes that would be worth more money? You bet, but none of them are Trek or carbon fiber.

ahud

Wow,

Shows how much I know. I'm glad I asked. I will keep looking. Are post like these considered acceptable in the bike community? I don't have the cash to get a mid to high end racing/road bike, but I also do not have the knowledge to select a good used bike. I need a shopping partner.

Should I purchase a racing bike since this is my first bike? I know racing is my end goal, but for the first 4-5 months I want to train and plan on doing a lot of long rides. From my research so far, I have concluded that I should shoot for a cannon-dale or trek since they both have affordable entry level bikes. Do you agree?

I'm incredibly excited about this hobby and I can't wait to get started.


thanks,
Aaron

urbanknight

We're more than happy to help someone getting into the hobby. You might get teased a little if you say the wrong thing, but take it like a man and it's all good. There's nothing wrong with getting a race bike as your first one. You might want to start with the handlebars a little higher than those of the Tour de France riders, but you're on the right track. I'd poke around www.bikepedia.com and educate yourself on components and bikes' values, then try and figure out what you can get for your budget. At $550, you should be able to find 5-10 year old bike with mid grade components, which will be plenty for your first years of riding.

creativepart

I was in the same position as you a couple of months ago. I purchased a new Trek Hybrid, got excited about biking and started asking questions (in my case dumb ones). After finding that I couldn't easily make my Trek Hybrid into a road bike I started looking at road bikes. Then reading bike mags. It turned out that I learned more every day, but that just made me ask more questions. I started looking at 1980's Japanese Steel "vintage" bikes and hanging out here at the Vintage Forum and the Bike Mechanics forum. Just as soon as I'd think I understood what was what I'd learn that there's more to it and I didn't know enough.

I started looking at Craigslist bikes and went to see a bunch that all turned out to be junk. But during that month of looking, I kept learning more every day about frames, components and riding.

Then one day I got lucky on CL and found a very nice 6 year old bike and got it for very little money ($400). As it sat it was perfect for me to jump in and ride. Which I did. I really like the bike and so I've slowly been updating it -- not really upgrading it. Just changing out some of the more dated components. In doing so I've learned even more stuff.

So, just like urbanknight say's above, for around $500 you should be able to find a good, lightly used, name brand, 5 to 10 year old bike with mid-grade components. If you go slow and read a lot here, you'll learn more as you go and you'll be able to spot problems like the bike you started this thread with -- and when you find that gem, you'll know it.

Keep learning!

KiuBWhy

Keep holding out and scouring CL if you have the time to do so. You can find some really great deals with a budget of $500-$600. As urbanknight mentioned, definitely reference every bike you can with those on bikepedia to give you a good idea of components and the bike's age.

Don't focus too much on brand names, usually they come with a marked-up price (but if you do end up making this a priority, resell value is better on name brand bikes). Focus on an aluminum frame with a carbon fork (and carbon stays if you find a particularly good deal). I wouldn't go for anything below Shimano 105, but that's just me.

ahud

Thank you all for being so welcoming. I hope all of the biking community is like this. I have been reading a ton and I understand a lot more now. What blows my mind is how to price used bikes. Is 2008 105 components better than 2005 Integra parts?

If my budget jumps up to 1000 to 1500 is it smarter to buy new?

My plan for shopping used was to check with you guys first. Once you all approved I would have a local bike shop to look at the bike. I feel like that would cover all my bases.

BmoreDrew

Integra? You mean... Ultegra?

I'm not a Shimano guy, but I would wager the Ultegra is still better. I don't think 105 saw a change for quite a few years until recently??? Someone may be more equipped to answer.

urbanknight

Oh, you'll get an earful if you say or ask the right thing. This crowd can get rowdy without warning.


In my opinion, yes. Since you're new, the year or lifetime of free tune-ups (any good shop offers this) is a good thing to have available. That budget will get you a plenty nice new bike that you could use for years. I have been an avid cyclist for about 20 years and recently bought a 2010 Specialized Allez Elite (Shimano 105) for $1200. Although nothing special, it does everything I need it to and anything more is just want. In another month, shops will be clearancing 2011 models, so you can get some good deals there as well.

ahud

Thank you again guys! Ultegra..right. Told you I was new to the game lol.

Two days ago, my partner in crime and myself walked into a bike store with a $300 budget, we made the salesmen giggle. Today, after some discussing, we are both in the $1000-$1500 range. Right now I am leaning towards a CAAD8 or CAAD10. I'm also going to check out comparable trek models. C-Dale just calls my name for some reason, but I know I need to ride all the bikes in my price range. What other brands should I try out? I'm trying to find a bike that will allow me to comfortable tour, while still being aggressive enough in geometry to race. The last thing I want is a racing bike that is too uncomfortable to hammer out a long ride. I'm only 20, but are bikes such as the CAAD10 harder to ride for 5 hours?

Tomorrow I'm leaving around 12:00 to go test ride bikes. Hopefully you guys can give me a few more suggestions beyond cdale, trek, and giant.

androidtt

Haha, you sound like me. I went in with a $500 budget. Two weeks later, I found myself walking out with a $1,500 purchase. And then came the clothing, pedals, helmet, sunglasses (You budgeted for these too, right? ).

I went in during January, where there were a couple leftover 2010 models, so that helped me a bit. I tried Treks (1.2, 1.5, 3.1), Cannondales, Giants, Felts and Specialized. After riding two or three from each manufacturer, I found that the Felt F5 seemed to fit my body the best and had a little give (unlike the Cannondales rigidity; would have gone with a 2011 Trek 3.1 if it weren't $1,700+). Rode it for a week before my fit, and then that's where it got a bit funky. It turned out the F5 was too big, but they did have a leftover older Felt F1C frame. Went on a short ride, and I was in love. They transferred all the components over, and I am still lovin' it!

Try not to rush TOO much! There are always great deals to be had.

robbie_vlad

I'm loving my 2009 Raleigh Supercourse as a first bike. I got it brand new, full carbon frame with decent components (105 or better now) for $700 outta my pocket. Just gotta go look around different shops and talk to people. Other companies to look at IMO are Felt (my current lust...), Specialized, and Scott to name a few.