In my ongoing search for a new bike, I have come across this one on Ebay:

Raleigh Fixed Gear (used).

What do you guy think about it? He says it is a little scratched on the frame, and you can see it from the pictures, but also that there are no dents... which is nice. Do you guys think this might be better than buying a brand new frame from my LBS? It is the perfect size, and I love the color.

Worth the price?

from what I can tell, that is a small frame, also , the seller does not list the size !


be warned ! .. ok, it does say 54cm... so it is small.... still... cashiers check or money order only !! be warned !

i'm pretty sure the grand prix frames were no great shakes (poke around here for more info) and it looks like the frame was built to take 27" wheels, which means you'll need long-reach brakes if you want to run one.

can't comment on the rest of the bike.

the wheelset itself, if brand new, is worth $200 alone. that should give you some perspective on the overall value of the bike.

I ride a converted '72 Grand Prix. It's a good frame, fairly slack geometry, but light and comfy. Above poster's right about the wheels--those are good wheels.

You will need longer reach brakes, but the upside of this is that you can put fenders on the bike, if you want. I like fenders, especially for city riding: they're practical. But if you're looking for style, then you may not be digging the gaps between the wheels and frames. Also, with that much room, you could actually try fitting on a 26" mtb wheelset with knobbies--nice snow riding. There are upsides to its unconventionality.

The bike is also posted on Chicago CL:

https://chicago.craigslist.org/bik/125503572.html

sounds shady to me. I'd let someone test ride if they gave me colladeral - car keys, ID, wallet, something reasonable...i guess that's the "full amount in hand", but I wouldn't just give the guy/gal 3 hundo to test ride the bike....that's crazy talk.

That frame is pretty good. I'd only go for it if I could see it in person, though.

that's one ugly bike

Oh ****.

I would have to pick it up : /. Can't do that heh. Well... I could ride the bus up there and ride it home

Thanks for your information guys, but I will look elsewhere. Also, I guess not having a beat up frame would be a lot better and more attractive than having one with scratches all over it.

I like the tires/wheels though

i helped built this bike. it is in very good shape, has brand new wheels, new tires, and is pretty damn light. excellent ride. i would fully back this bike and the guy selling it. the only thing negative about it is the "sevicable BB." it is unsealed, so if you know how to overhaul BB's, it is great, otrherwise i would recommend getting a new one sometime in the future (in a year or 2). (this one was overhauled and regreased before it was installed).

i think that whole thing about "you must pick it up" is him just being lazy. i think he copied and pasted his craigslist ad, email him and tell him to ship it, he works at a shop. and, if you need a long reach brake, tell him his co-worker can get you one. that bike can fit up to 700 X 38 tires with room left over for fenders and a brake. i tried to get him to mount a set, but he whimped out on me.

I have the exact same bike, same color only in a little better shape. Not bad for an intro bike, fairly low weight for an older bike. If I could do it again though, I would have held out for a frame with tighter geometry.