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Which bike should I get?
Which is the best deal? I'm new to cycling and need one to use as I save for a new bike:
Completely overhauled Gitane 12sp road commuter bike - $285 orVintage Peugeot Reynolds 531 steel 12 sp road bike - $300 orCANNONDALE SR400 - $275 |
Calvin, the problem with questions like this is while we have a little information, there just isn't enough to go on here. For instance, do all three bikes fit you? Are they similar size, geometry, etc? It makes a big difference. The best bike that doesn't fit is the worst purchase.
What kind of riding do you think you might like to do? Are you wanting a true road bike? A grocery-getter? Rails to trails type bike? Is a road bike really going to work or would you be better served with a MTB or a hybrid? So, assuming that they all are the right size, or can be adjusted to accomodate your height, it then boils down to condition, components, personal preference and the like. The Cannondale is an aluminum frame and likely will be pretty quick, but the ride might be harsher than the other two options. The Gitane and Peugeot, depending upon model, might have a number of French parts and make sourcing replacements a little more challenging. Are you in a big market where used bikes sell for relatively high prices? Those numbers are higher than I could ever hope to get in my market but might be par for the course in yours. Finally, your question assumes that you are going to be looking for a new bike. Why is that? What if you find a used one that is more similar to the one that you might be thinking of purchasing new? Bikes (generally) depreciate fairly quickly, depending upon brand of course, and perhaps you can find one that is a year or two old for half the price of a new model. |
If you had posted your location (state and the CL sub-regions you're looking in) we could have found the links based on the titles of the ads you provided. Then we'd be able to get pics. And then we might be able to help you!
If you're just trying to ride something while you save up the money for a brand new bike, I'd suggest getting a 1990's rigid mountain bike. Mid-range bikes (original MSRP ~$500) from reputable brands can often be found for under $100. Then when you have your shiny new bike in hand, sell the mtb for what you paid for it. |
Originally Posted by TugaDude
(Post 20325171)
Calvin, the problem with questions like this is while we have a little information, there just isn't enough to go on here. For instance, do all three bikes fit you? Are they similar size, geometry, etc? It makes a big difference. The best bike that doesn't fit is the worst purchase.
What kind of riding do you think you might like to do? Are you wanting a true road bike? A grocery-getter? Rails to trails type bike? Is a road bike really going to work or would you be better served with a MTB or a hybrid? So, assuming that they all are the right size, or can be adjusted to accomodate your height, it then boils down to condition, components, personal preference and the like. The Cannondale is an aluminum frame and likely will be pretty quick, but the ride might be harsher than the other two options. The Gitane and Peugeot, depending upon model, might have a number of French parts and make sourcing replacements a little more challenging. Are you in a big market where used bikes sell for relatively high prices? Those numbers are higher than I could ever hope to get in my market but might be par for the course in yours. Finally, your question assumes that you are going to be looking for a new bike. Why is that? What if you find a used one that is more similar to the one that you might be thinking of purchasing new? Bikes (generally) depreciate fairly quickly, depending upon brand of course, and perhaps you can find one that is a year or two old for half the price of a new model. Good point about the French parts. I'm in the east SF Bay Area, you cant get a used Big Wheel for under $100, LOL. Very expensive place to live. I eventually want to get a nice gravel/endurance bike, but want something in the meantime to get miles in on while I save up. If I find a good used one that fits, I might jump on it sooner than later. I keep checking CL for one, but nothing yet and I'm tired of waiting. |
Originally Posted by Clang
(Post 20325414)
If you had posted your location (state and the CL sub-regions you're looking in) we could have found the links based on the titles of the ads you provided. Then we'd be able to get pics. And then we might be able to help you!
If you're just trying to ride something while you save up the money for a brand new bike, I'd suggest getting a 1990's rigid mountain bike. Mid-range bikes (original MSRP ~$500) from reputable brands can often be found for under $100. Then when you have your shiny new bike in hand, sell the mtb for what you paid for it. |
Now I know why the prices are what they are.
Maybe you can work out a deal with the guy who has the Olympic Murray Kids bike for under $100. Maybe only $105? You still have not provided enough info. Here a novel thought. Get out into the fresh air , and look! Yard Sales, Fleamarkets, thrift stores. Even LBS might have a nice used bike. And does it have to be vintage. Some of those prices are getting close to you can buy a nice 10 year old road, cyclocross bike prices. Maybe even buy on Ebay. The vintage market can be inflated. |
Calvin, thanks for giving more info. Yes, San Fran is expensive and the bike's listed reflect that.
Of the 3, I personally would want to check out the Peugeot. Never been much of a Gitane fan and I'm not into aluminum. Nothing wrong with it, just not my cup of tea. It is possible, depending on the year, that the Pug has few French parts. The ones it may have will present little problem. However, I would echo what was said above regarding '90s MTBs. There are some floating around that offer great value. Locally, I can pick up Treks, Giants, Specialized, etc. for a fraction of what those roadies are listed at. To me there is an advantage in having a more upright posture, especially when learning. Bottom line is you want to buy something that makes you WANT to ride. Good luck! |
No reason to be intimidated with the SF market. Let's start with the links you found.
The annoying thing about this is that there's a closeup of the Reynolds 501 sticker. Not 531. Another weird thing is that they say it has indexed shifting, but I doubt it. It should be friction. 58cm Vintage Peugeot Reynolds 531 steel 12 sp road bike - $300 (marina / cow hollow) https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/bik...579927594.html https://images.craigslist.org/00K0K_...4_1200x900.jpg 58cm CANNONDALE SR400 - $275 (oakland piedmont / montclair) https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/bik...577452312.html https://images.craigslist.org/00808_...K_1200x900.jpg The model name is Victoire 58cm completely overhauled Gitane 12sp road commuter bike - $285 (marina / cow hollow) https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/bik...579832487.html https://images.craigslist.org/00f0f_...U_1200x900.jpg |
Are all of those bikes suppose to have those type forks? The Dale sure shouldn't!
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Here's some I'd reccommend.
Specialized Sirrus - $200 (san jose south)https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/bik...577723753.htmlhttps://images.craigslist.org/00z0z_...t_1200x900.jpg Centurion Ironman - $340 (inner sunset / UCSF)https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/bik...580476138.htmlhttps://images.craigslist.org/00z0z_...Z_1200x900.jpg 1999 LeMond Buenos Aires - $295 (sunset / parkside)https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/bik...554348214.htmlhttps://images.craigslist.org/01212_...U_1200x900.jpg Bianchi Eros - $350 (santa rosa)https://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/bik...578929928.htmlhttps://images.craigslist.org/00H0H_...P_1200x900.jpg Schwinn Prelude - $164 (berkeley)https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/bik...573275492.htmlhttps://images.craigslist.org/00c0c_...UP_600x450.jpg 1986 Schwinn Passage - $200 (fremont / union city / newark)https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/bik...569889068.htmlhttps://images.craigslist.org/00k0k_...n_1200x900.jpg |
Centurion Elite - $238 (capitola)https://sfbay.craigslist.org/scz/bik...556939310.htmlhttps://images.craigslist.org/00J0J_...n_1200x900.jpg Lot of non-OEM stuff on this, but not in a bad way. 1988 Trek 360 - $250 (marina / cow hollow)https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/bik...580795005.htmlhttps://images.craigslist.org/00z0z_...x_1200x900.jpg Cannondale R300 - $325 (Rancho Cordova)https://sacramento.craigslist.org/bi...581718668.htmlhttps://images.craigslist.org/00n0n_...7_1200x900.jpg |
interesting find....https://store.bicycleczar.com/58cm-C...p/11170793.htm
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Yeah same bike as above. What is up with those forks on those three bikes. I would avoid all three of them.
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Peugeot is 501 tubing, not 531, see decals. No quill seat post, but with seat bolt, likely a 1985 P501. Fork is correct I believe. Ask the seller for balance of SN info on white tag by left crank.
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It all depends...
It all depends on the condition of the bike, the year of it, the brand, and the number of original parts on it. For example, I have a 1940s columbia sport cruiser and it has all the original parts and is in great condition. I would price it at 300 dollars.
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Of the ones presented I would say the 2 Canondales and and the Schwinn Passage are about the best bikes of the bunch. All basically a step or 2 above the rest for the respective asking prices. Myself I would go with the second Canondale or the Passage.
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cannondale
I'd go with the Cannondale
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Thanks for all the help gentlemen! I ended up pulling the trigger on an excellent condition Cannondale R800 for $250 |
cannondale probably!
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