Gem or Money pit?
#1
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Gem or Money pit?
Hi everyone,
I'm still searching for just the right bike. Well I ran across this on Craigslist
It's a 62cm 1996/97 Trek 2120 (Specs https://www.bicyclebluebook.com/Searc...x=20000&type=0) and he was asking $350 for it. I know when it was new it cost about $1300. I got him down to $300 but I couldn't make myself go look at it quite yet. This thing has been sitting in his garage for about a decade. So the question is Gem or Money pit?
It's going to need:
New tire and tubes for sure ~$50
Tune up ~$50
New cables and brake pads? ~$40
and I'm going to probably have to replace the stem (but I would have to on just about any bike thanks to my weird build)~$50
Grand total: +/-$490
It's still less than a new entry level road bike and/or a bike with similar components... Thoughts?
Thanks
I'm still searching for just the right bike. Well I ran across this on Craigslist
It's a 62cm 1996/97 Trek 2120 (Specs https://www.bicyclebluebook.com/Searc...x=20000&type=0) and he was asking $350 for it. I know when it was new it cost about $1300. I got him down to $300 but I couldn't make myself go look at it quite yet. This thing has been sitting in his garage for about a decade. So the question is Gem or Money pit?
It's going to need:
New tire and tubes for sure ~$50
Tune up ~$50
New cables and brake pads? ~$40
and I'm going to probably have to replace the stem (but I would have to on just about any bike thanks to my weird build)~$50
Grand total: +/-$490
It's still less than a new entry level road bike and/or a bike with similar components... Thoughts?
Thanks
#2
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Probably neither Gem or Money pit. Somewhere in the middle such as "adequate", "decent" etc ...
Tires & tubes could be fine. If you're lucky, a little lube & gear adjustment and ready to ride.
Tires & tubes could be fine. If you're lucky, a little lube & gear adjustment and ready to ride.
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I'd say there are better bikes to be found at that price point. Problem or blessing will be finding one tall enough.
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Around here, Craigslist bikes are priced 50% - 100% more than what I think they are worth.
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#5
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Carbon tubes bonded to aluminum lugs construction has a mixed track record. I'm not aware of any specific issues with the Trek 2120, but failures in the glued joints in some frames of similar construction would make me a bit leery.
https://calfeedesign.com/tech-papers/...l-white-paper/
I'd keep looking.
https://calfeedesign.com/tech-papers/...l-white-paper/
Originally Posted by Calfee Design Technical White Paper
Conventional carbon frame-building methods using carbon tubes bonded to aluminum lugs is a controversial method. Will the adhesive bond have adequate strength? Will there be an electrolytic reaction between the carbon fiber and the aluminum (galvanic corrosion)? Will the materials expand at different rates when subjected to temperature variations (thermal expansion)? Also, by simply switching the tubing material from metal to carbon fiber, there is no reason for the problems of joints simply to go away. The glued joints are located at the areas of highest stress particularly the bottom bracket cluster and the head and down tube juncture on a bicycle frame. Material discontinuity (where two dissimilar materials are joined) creates stress risers (concentrated areas of stress). Coupled with galvanic corrosion, thermal expansion, or an inadequate bond, these areas can catastrophically fail. Failure can, at best, be a distressing experience for a cyclist at high speeds and more than an irritation if it means downtime from their bike.
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A lot of year-end deals to be had right now.
If you have a Performance nearby, it might be worth a look.
Patience on craigslist has a tendency to deliver.
Good luck.
S
If you have a Performance nearby, it might be worth a look.
Patience on craigslist has a tendency to deliver.
Good luck.
S
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