Bidaas

Hey folks. I am a newbie, looking to buy my 1st road bike in the Bay Area. I have a low budget and am looking for used bikes. One "Specialized" that I have seen at a LBS is:

- Old (around 80s) "Specialized Allez" -
- Japanese made Tange
- 55 cm steel frame. The sticker is a bit damaged.
- Components are mixed. Shimano 600 Rear Der'lrs.
- Front Der'lr - Shimano 600
- Crank - Shimano 105 with 3 teethset.
- STI shifters on handle bar (as in most bikes now). 3 X 8 gears.
- Old wheels - AlexRim AT 450
- New tires - didnt see which brand
- Conventional 'welded' stem - not adjustable

The LBS put the components on the Specialized frame that he had. Is $250 a good price for this? What should I check for in the frame? What else should I check?
Thanks

sydney

If the shifters are new and everything looks and functions well,the price may be ok. But you can probably buy a comparable new low end bike on clearance for $500 or less. Look for rust,signs of crash damage, dings and dents and check the downtube just behind the headtube for ripples or buckling indicating crash damage. I'm not sure how they got 8 speeds on the old rear wheel, but if they used a freewheel,that isn't the best way to do it as 8 speed freewheels are prone to axel breakage.

Bidaas

Hi
Thanks for the comment. Why is it that they could not have 8 speed on the old wheel? Is it because old ones ddn't have those? But the wheels are ALexRim AT 450, and though old, appear to have been replaced (did not appear as old as the bike).
How do I know it is a freewheel in case it is one?

Thanks a lot

Retro Grouch 

When you are in the market for an old or used bike I think that it's wise to completely reverse your thinking process. Otherwise it's just too easy to make a serious mistake.

When you are shopping for a brand new bike, you shop around to determine the brand and model that meets your needs and then leave it to the seller to get you the correct size.

When you are looking for a used bike there is usually only the one. FIRST make sure that it fits. If the fit is OK, only then should you look to determine if the rest of the bike meets your needs. It's too easy to get seduced by an otherwise nice bike that has a favorable price but is utterly the wrong size for you. Fit affects your comfort, efficiency and performance every single minute that you are on the bike. Nothing else comes close in importance.

IF the bike that you are looking at fits you well, then I'd say it sounds like it is likely to meet your needs well. I suspect everything will operate more crisply than a comperable new bike in the same price range.

phillybill

That's a bit steep for an 80's frame with used components. It's not like you are getting a vintage frame....Look for a new bike on closeout or try to talk them down to 150.00

sydney

The original wheels could have been replaced too. Ask the shop if it's a casette or freewheel.A casette is ok.If they don't know,look elsewhere.