Al_Qaisy

I found a local store selling a used bridgestone bicycle for $240...its 700c, belt driven with 8 speed internal gear.. is it a good deal?

RH Clark

Depends. Will it require servicing- replacing consumable parts? Does it fit you? Does the 8-speed gearing fit your need? Could you afford to replace the 8 speed if necessary? If you can't work on it, servicing can get expensive quick on any older bike.

VegasTriker

If you know more information like the model and the year it was made, you can go to bicyclebluebook and look up the MSRP. $240 is about half of the cost of an entry level bike these days with entry level components not including internal drives. It's pretty easy to date a bike if it has Shimano crank arms. Look at the inside of the crank for a two letter code and then go to the internet and look up "Shimano date codes" to find a chart. That will tell you within a few months of the date it was manufactured. More important is does the bike fit? If it is one that comes in only one frame size I would never consider buying it. Will the shop let you test ride it?
Older Bridgestone bikes were numbered https://www.sheldonbrown.com/bridgestone/ RB-1 to RB-3 with RB-1 the most desirable. I bought an RB-2 for $20 at a garage sale a few years ago and passed it on to a friend's son. It did not have internal gearing. Looks like yours may be a more recent Chinese made version. This might give you an approximate date:
"The Company introduced a hit product “Albelt,” featuring a combination of an aluminum frame with a belt drive mechanism.
The Company developed the world’s first air pressure checker, allowing users to visually determine the optimum air pressure." dates from 2001

Iride01 

Is the bike made for the type of riding you wish to do?

Did Bridgestone actually make that bike with the 8 speed IGH and belt drive? I'm thinking it's something someone cobbled together. I'd be leery that they got rid because it didn't work well for them.

If it is an actual bike made by Bridgestone and not modified by someone unknown, then go back to my first question.

RH Clark

I questioned the belt drive too. I thought that system was fairly new but I'm no expert of cycle history.

I've bought about 12 bikes off marketplace and in local thrift stores, bike stores and pawn shops.. I would say that the Bridgestone in question may not be a bad deal but it wouldn't be one I would recommend to someone not completely qualified to evaluate the bike's condition. If it was $50-$100 you likely couldn't go wrong as long as you could get on it and ride it at the time of purchase. It really doesn't take much in tools and research on youtube to learn how to do bike repairs on older bikes. I bought a Trek 400 steel lugged frame with Deore group for $15 at a thrift shop. It fits 700-C 35mm tires and is an excellent cross bike that would cost $1000 to replace if bought new. I rebuilt it though myself for nearly nothing. It wouldn't have been such a screaming deal though for a guy's first bike.

Iride01 

And if the OP just wants a bike to ride around the neighborhood or back and forth in the city, then for less than twice that asking price of what is supposedly a used bike with dubious DIY put into it, they can get a new bike with warranty and new and more common components. And a derailleur bike is likely to have wider range of gearing than a IGH. Though maybe there are more exceptions today.

https://electra.trekbikes.com/us/en_...r-lux/c/EB610/

They also have models with IGH, but those are a bit more money.

RH Clark

A bit heavy and slow for my style. I would go for one of these though.
https://www.poseidonbike.com/collect...43244694012132

There would also be plenty of newer slightly used bikes in the $300-$500 range. I have bought very nice $100 bikes on Marketplace but you do need to know how to properly evaluate your purchase.

icemilkcoffee 

Any 8s IGH bike is a good deal at $240. Same with belt drives.

Iride01 

That's really the biggest issue with any person asking for advice on a bike purchase. We don't know what style of riding the OP wants to do and whether they'll be in flat, hilly or mountainous terrain. Or if it's just short leisurely rides around the neighborhood.

One bike is as good as the next bike. Until a purpose is defined and the fitness and experience of the OP is accounted for, then bikes become either better or worse for the intended use.

RH Clark

Good point. When I started cycling I only bought cheap $100-$200 used bikes until I had enough experience to know exactly what I wanted and why I needed those particular features. The used market has been more limited and expensive though the last 3 years or so. It would always be a good idea to ride as many different bikes as possible first if you are new to cycling and looking at your first purchase.

Joe Bikerider

I would buy that in a second. I am a IGH fan in my old age (70). The shimano 8 speed has plenty of range for my area. The belt would be something worth trying. Maybe if you had put a location that I recognized in your profile (IQ?) I would be right there

veganbikes

Who knows without knowing the bike and knowing you and all of that it is tough to tell. It is possible because yes an 8 speed with a gates belt drive could well be worth it as generally that stuff is worth good money but in the end what condition is the bike in and does it fit and yada yada yada is more important.