oik01

Needs:
Looking for a budget upgrade to my first serious bike. Goal would be a balance of speed, comfort, and low weight. Preference for speed I guess.

Ive narrowed it down to three options I am considering the most. All are my size and obviously if they don't fit perfectly would move to the next. Because I am buying used its not easy to try all at once as each is a different owner in a different location. What would your preference be?

Option 1:

2002 Trek 5200 Carbon Road Bike Shimano Ultegra MADE IN USA

The bike looks fairly well maintained, no cracks or scratches apparent and the owner tells me it wasn't ridden much and frame is in tip top shape.



Option 2:

GIANT TCR ALLIANCE 54 CM ROAD BIKE

My guess is it may be a bit small for me as Im 182 cm tall but ive seen people get away with smaller bikes on longer stems including pros. What are your thoughts? Seems to have good specs.



Option 3:
Bianchi Via Nirone 7 Aluminum / Carbon bike for sale

This one looks in great shape. Weird thing is I can't figure out the model. The derailleurs look to be 105 but the shifter is tiagra? All the others are higher grade shifters





Another option:
2004 Raleight Prestige, components all ultegra, frame looks good but there is one bump on top tube:



Lastly is a 2004 Specialized Roubaix ... well kept mostly been indoors.

biker128pedal

I’ll vote for the Madone but then I have a 5.0. But seriously can you test ride them? How much for each and how much do you ride or plan to ride?

1- Full carbon an I guess it fits.
2. Too small you say. You’ll regret getting it.
3. Al frame. No 2 choice
4 Bet it is too big. But a guess
5. No 3’choice.

oik01

So I ride once a week. Usually between 10-30 miles but planning on bringing that up after winter ... In winter likely to stick closet to 10. ( Also don't mind using my old bike in winter to save the one I get now from wear and tear). I will test ride them but some are 30 miles away and then the other may be in the other direction. Ideally if my preferred choice fits I would stop there.
the carbon bike is 400$... The rest are 300-350

oik01

Why do you think it's too tall? It's actually a 57 cm frame ... I'm just under 6 feet but with tall limbs. Current bike is a 58 cm frame with the stem tilted up to help with reach... So I was thinking 56 is likely my sweet spot?

biker128pedal

In the picture it looked like a 60 cm or larger..

oik01

So I was wrong ... The current bike that's a bit big was a 61 cm ... I also measures myself and put them in a website with results indicating I'm between a 56 and 58 closer to 58 ( but website said a stem of 110 mm).. I ended up going for a vintage trek 5200 58 cm frame
Im hoping it gets here by next weekend. Thanks for your help!

biker128pedal

I have a Madone 5.0. So newer version :-) YO may be ok but after years of riding my rear wheel rim cracked. I got a new set of Bontrager. Aeoles Pro 5s. After so many miles I deserved it. Ride great but the rim width is 19.5mm. Old wheels were 14mm. For me 25mm tires are too big. Just barley work out front but rub the chain stay in the rear when pushed. I run 25mm. Lesson learned check tire clearance and new rim width before buying. The darn Trek catalog last year showed a 5200 or 5500 with Pro 3s. Sucked me in without my usual over analysis.

Oh post a picture here when it arrives and is set up for you.

oik01

Haha will do. That trek actually fell through because the seller discovered a crack she wasn't aware of at first. I'm checking out two others in my area over the weekend ... A 56 and a 58 cm. Hopefully one is a good fit and is clean... Will update here and post pics ... Sorry about your wheel ☹️

livedarklions

Provided they fit, they all look pretty good, and should suit your needs. If it were me, geography would be a factor-- look at the nearest bikes first.