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Looking to buy a used road bike

Old 05-27-20, 02:32 PM
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thegr33ngiant
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Looking to buy a used road bike

Hello,

I'm a beginner cyclist who is looking to purchase a used road bike. I'm not very knowledgeable when it comes to bikes and I have a feeling I'll be ripped off trying to buy a used bike from craiglist or facebook marketplace. I've been browsing through the forum and I feel like a lot of members here are very passionate about biking and have a strong sense of community so I thought I would try to find a bike here! I found that the correct frame size for me is 58 cm (I'm 6'1") and my crank size is 170mm - 175mm. I'm currently located in Northern Virginia by Fairfax.
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Old 05-28-20, 05:45 AM
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thegr33ngiant , Craigslist VA does not have Fairfax specifically, what would be the nearest city in the CL sites ?

https://www.craigslist.org/about/sites#US
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Old 05-28-20, 05:59 AM
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good luck finding a bike! I always buy used. I remind myself to be patient & check the ads regularly. don't be afraid to drive. just browsing "Richmond" quickly these caught my eye

PINARELLO Treviso 58CM - $1000 (ASHLAND)

"womens"? who cares
Women’s road bike - $150 (Richmond)

Giant OCR1 Roadbike - $525

Specialized Allez Upgraded - $875 (Williamsburg)
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Old 05-28-20, 06:04 AM
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In Richmond, a very nice bike at an affordable price..

https://richmond.craigslist.org/bik/...131585970.html


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Old 05-28-20, 06:07 AM
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Here's a vintage classic but will need more work than the previous one...

https://richmond.craigslist.org/bik/...131497563.html
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Old 05-28-20, 06:11 AM
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another vintage bike, but wouldn't pay more than $150.00 for it...

https://richmond.craigslist.org/bik/...127767529.html
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Old 05-28-20, 06:14 AM
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$150.00 tops for this one...

https://richmond.craigslist.org/bik/...128648388.html
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Old 05-28-20, 06:22 AM
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Originally Posted by thegr33ngiant
Hello,

I'm a beginner cyclist who is looking to purchase a used road bike. I'm not very knowledgeable when it comes to bikes and I have a feeling I'll be ripped off trying to buy a used bike from craiglist or facebook marketplace. I've been browsing through the forum and I feel like a lot of members here are very passionate about biking and have a strong sense of community so I thought I would try to find a bike here! I found that the correct frame size for me is 58 cm (I'm 6'1") and my crank size is 170mm - 175mm. I'm currently located in Northern Virginia by Fairfax.
Great news! I'm in Alexandria, ride the same size, and can help you check out the mechanics on any bike you're considering. Prices have been creeping up, but there have been some really nice bikes in 58cm recently. Do you have a budget in mind? Phil G.
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Old 05-28-20, 06:27 AM
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https://washingtondc.criagslist.org/...315392421.html
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Old 05-28-20, 07:09 AM
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Try this link if the one above doesn't work. https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/...131539421.html

For others, Fairfax is closer to Washington DC then Richmond Virginia. Richmond is about 2 hours away.
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Old 05-28-20, 07:42 AM
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https://washingtondc.craigslist.org/...130851215.html
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Old 05-28-20, 07:49 AM
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Originally Posted by rumrunn6
good luck finding a bike! I always buy used. I remind myself to be patient & check the ads regularly. don't be afraid to drive. just browsing "Richmond" quickly these caught my eye

PINARELLO Treviso 58CM - $1000 (ASHLAND)

"womens"? who cares
Women’s road bike - $150 (Richmond)

Giant OCR1 Roadbike - $525

Specialized Allez Upgraded - $875 (Williamsburg)
That Specialized Allez is nice. I bought one off CL a few weeks ago and am digging it. Only paid $300 for a 2013 model and it's in pretty decent condition except for a few scrapes as expected.

To the OP, you have to look around CL and FB Marketplace every now and then something will come up. Have you been to Goodwill? Sometimes they have bikes there that are low prices and need some TLC if you're into that stuff.
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Old 05-28-20, 10:25 AM
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Im in the same boat honestly.
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Old 05-28-20, 12:30 PM
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I'm also bike shopping in the DC metro. There's a lot to choose from, and quite a bit of turn over. You'll see different stuff next week.
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Old 05-28-20, 07:13 PM
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Originally Posted by Phil_gretz
Great news! I'm in Alexandria, ride the same size, and can help you check out the mechanics on any bike you're considering. Prices have been creeping up, but there have been some really nice bikes in 58cm recently. Do you have a budget in mind? Phil G.
Awesome! I will definitely keep you posted if/when I found a bike that fits within my budget! Thank you!
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Old 05-28-20, 07:42 PM
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Originally Posted by thegr33ngiant
Awesome! I will definitely keep you posted if/when I found a bike that fits within my budget! Thank you!
And the budget is?
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Old 05-29-20, 09:50 AM
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Originally Posted by Phil_gretz
And the budget is?
Most likely between $250 to $350. However if the bike being posted for sale is a good bike with good parts, I would be willing to go higher!
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Old 05-30-20, 09:56 AM
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Originally Posted by Phil_gretz
Great news! I'm in Alexandria, ride the same size, and can help you check out the mechanics on any bike you're considering. Prices have been creeping up, but there have been some really nice bikes in 58cm recently. Do you have a budget in mind? Phil G.
I found this one and would love your opinion on this.
washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/bik/d/alexandria-univega-modo-vivere-56cm/7131257263.html
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Old 05-30-20, 10:22 AM
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Originally Posted by thegr33ngiant
I found this one and would love your opinion on this.
washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/bik/d/alexandria-univega-modo-vivere-56cm/7131257263.html
Okay bike. The price is full market value. There's a mix of parts, older brake calipers and newer shift levers. The question is whether it fits. You could test ride it. To my eye, it looks slightly bigger than 56cm, which is to your advantage. You'll need at least a 57 cm top tube, measured center to center. PG.
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Old 05-30-20, 11:31 AM
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https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...9271236835456/
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Old 05-30-20, 07:35 PM
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Originally Posted by Phil_gretz
Great news! I'm in Alexandria, ride the same size, and can help you check out the mechanics on any bike you're considering. Prices have been creeping up, but there have been some really nice bikes in 58cm recently. Do you have a budget in mind? Phil G.
washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/bik/d/schwinn-road-bike/7133024953.html

What do you think? The seller is offering it for $180
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Old 05-30-20, 07:39 PM
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Originally Posted by thegr33ngiant
washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/bik/d/schwinn-road-bike/7133024953.html

What do you think? The seller is offering it for $180
I wouldn't ride that. Not for free...

What about the Centurion that I posted?
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Old 05-30-20, 07:41 PM
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Originally Posted by Phil_gretz
I wouldn't ride that. Not for free...

What about the Centurion that I posted?
It's been removed by the seller unfortunately
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Old 06-01-20, 10:46 AM
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Speaking of free bikes...


Fellow on FB Marketplace was giving this away yesterday. Dirty, but intact 1990 or so Volpe with SunTour branded stuff. Accushift 7-speed bar ends, DiaCompe cantilevers with dirty white hoods and SunTour Edge branding on the levers.

It even had SunTour AT branded Sansin hubs. I wound up giving the fellow a C-note just because he was driving out to Las Vegas and likely needed the spending money. So, taking it down to the frame, some polishing and touch up, and then I'll build it back up. New 35mm tires, chain, celeste bar tape, blue cable housings, blue bottle cages, cleaned up bearings throughout… I expect it to be a stunning all-terrain, gravel, general commuter type bike.

Last edited by Phil_gretz; 06-01-20 at 06:32 PM.
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Old 06-01-20, 06:13 PM
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What do you think about this one Phil?

washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/bik/d/leesburg-trek-1220-aluminum-zx-series/7133455404.html
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