Deal or No Deal?

Any crashes.
Any gear replaced. Why replaced.
Try it out, go around the block a couple of times, go up a hill, do a sprint if the traffic/road allows.
Any problems with the wheels/tires/history of punctures.
Test out the gears, do they change easily.
Check if the spokes are bent/have any damage.

Just ask heaps of questions, if he's legit he will answer them truthfully. If there is something wrong with the bike, ask him questions and you will find out if he's not telling you 100% of the truth.

Oh and by the looks of the bike, if nothing is seriously wrong....

DEAL

check major issues, like frame cracks or dents. Then when riding, shift through every gear. If it skips, it could just be a tension issue on the cables, so don't get scared. If it skips, check all gears and see if any teeth are worn down or broke. If not, and you like the bike, the other stuff is cheap and easy to fix and replace. If the wheels wobble or seem off, that might also show bigger problems

I wouldn't pay $400 for a 13 year old 8 speed bike, if it were up to me.

For $550 or so, you can get a new Motobecane with 105/Tiagra.

Tiagra has its plusses and minuses, but in its new 9 speed incarnation? I'd take it over a decade + 8 speed in a second.

What are the brand and models of the cranks, brakes, headset, etc...

Doug

Patch:

Check out this bike in Cary:
http://raleigh.craigslist.org/bik/1233739109.html


he is asking $800, but I would counter lower. It is more tri specific, aluminium, and probably has better components.

Doug

Doug,

I've never actually ridden a bike with that style.  Would I be asking too much if I asked ya to take a look at the bike with me?  Still trying to learn more about the bikes used and their mechanics and if I went up there and tried to counter offer for this bike with little to no knowledge of what EXACTLY I was looking for or at; I think I'd have a hard time cutting down the price.  For example, I tried to do a cross comparison of this bike and the one I was looking at and it's hard to even tell what the first thing I was even suppose to look for.  The only difference I could make out is the headset... lol.  I would greatly appreciate it.  Hope I'm not asking for too much.  But, if you think this bike would be best for me I'll take your word for it.  I just want to understand the mechanics and why it would be best for me.

Patch

Edited by Patch-Adams 2009-07-07 12:39 PM