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Caveman

Platinum Member
Nov 18, 1999
2,533
34
91
Been looking around for a set of bikes for my wife and I. We're both novice bike riders when it comes to road/mtn bikes. But... I did BMX and rode halfpipes for about 10 years, so I know the importance of "bike quality"...

I hope in 10 years we're both riding featherweight, state of the art machines. Right now though, I'm just looking for a cheap solution for when the opportunity arises. Due to 4 little kids, that rarely happens. Right now our use will be once/week on 5 miles or less transitioning to longer rides when the kids age in a few years.

So... We certainly don't need the best, but I just want to know if I'm getting a good deal...

A guy at work is selling 1 mans and 1 woman's TREK 700 for $300 total. They are mint condition hybrid bikes about 10 years old. The women's was ridden ~1hr. the mans' was <10hrs. Frame looks to be Chrome-Moly with a High Tensile Stell Fork (yuk). Man's bike weighs 31 lbs (I think).

I priced out on Ebay and used 700's are going for about $175. i think I read online that these originally retailed for about $400. I'm assuming for TREK, this was a "low end" model in it's time.

Still... i think this will suit our needs well.

Any thoughts or comments about TREK 700s at $300 for both?

 
edro

edro

Lifer
Apr 5, 2002
24,326
68
91
Great deal.

I'd definitely go for that, and maybe offer him a little less.
 
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DrVos

Golden Member
Jan 31, 2002
1,085
0
0
Even though they are mint, $150 for a 17 year old bike is kind of high. I'd agree with dakels and say $200 for both....$250 if there is absolutely nothing that has to be replaced (saddle, brake pads, cable housing, etc). Make sure you check the shifting and braking, look for rust, etc. You'll probably need to lube the chains as well as the brake and shifter cables.
 
HomeBrewerDude

HomeBrewerDude

Lifer
Jan 18, 2001
14,465
1
0
Originally posted by: DrVos
Even though they are mint, $150 for a 17 year old bike is kind of high. I'd agree with dakels and say $200 for both....$250 if there is absolutely nothing that has to be replaced (saddle, brake pads, cable housing, etc). Make sure you check the shifting and braking, look for rust, etc. You'll probably need to lube the chains as well as the brake and shifter cables.
Click to expand...

yeah i agree. $300 is really high for bikes this old.

Chains, tires, tubes might need some work or replacement.

I'd plan on putting slicks on them regardless, so if you can get the guy to come down some to cover new tires that would be cool.
 
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Caveman

Platinum Member
Nov 18, 1999
2,533
34
91
I'm a bit surprised at the answers...

Thought this was at least an "ok deal"... For those who may have missed it... It's $300 for BOTH bikes...

I've seen brand new Schwinns at Costco for about the same price, but assumed they wouldn't be as good for the money...

I'd assume there really aren't any other options in this price range that are as good. I'd go up to $400 Out the door on 2 "New" bikes, but these are essentially new. Based on the pics, they look like they've just sat in the guy's basement for the past 17 years. Aside from some external chain lube getting dry and the tires needing replaced in a year or 2, how much more degraded can they be?

Any other options out there?
 
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Caveman

Platinum Member
Nov 18, 1999
2,533
34
91
No, wife won't be walking :)

As a mechanical engineer, I wouldn't think the metalurgy is any different now... and the mfg processes (welding, etc) to be "close enough"... In fact, one might think older is better since everything now seems to be outsourced to China...

I'm going to check Craigslist tonight to see what's avail... Guessing this is still my best bang for buck right now...

 
Oyeve

Oyeve

Lifer
Oct 18, 1999
22,012
867
126
I bought a Scwinn MB frame that is also used in 2000+ trek MB bikes for 150. While I love Treks super high-end stuff, like the total carbon-fiber bike, they tend to be a bit of a rip-off. But those 2 bikes are decent and the price is right.
 
RiDE

RiDE

Platinum Member
Jul 8, 2004
2,139
0
76
Take them for a test ride. If they shift fine and ride smooth then go for it. If anything is gritty then I guess it wasn't mint after all. :p
 
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dakels

Platinum Member
Nov 20, 2002
2,809
2
0
Originally posted by: Caveman
I'm a bit surprised at the answers...

Thought this was at least an "ok deal"... For those who may have missed it... It's $300 for BOTH bikes...

I've seen brand new Schwinns at Costco for about the same price, but assumed they wouldn't be as good for the money...

I'd assume there really aren't any other options in this price range that are as good. I'd go up to $400 Out the door on 2 "New" bikes, but these are essentially new. Based on the pics, they look like they've just sat in the guy's basement for the past 17 years. Aside from some external chain lube getting dry and the tires needing replaced in a year or 2, how much more degraded can they be?

Any other options out there?
Click to expand...
If our answers surprise you I think you need to look at CL more. My friend just bought an awesome $2200 cannondale with about $500 in aftermarket parts for $600. Its in great shape and its about 8 years old. Now that's a deal.

Bikes age fairly well and super new technology (materials like carbon fiber, shock systems etc) is not really a focus on the low end comfort bike. Still, you can get some fairly decent bikes for really low prices now. Look at Pacific and Schwinn bikes and other budget brands for $100-150. For simple weekend riding they really are not bad at all.

Some craigslist examples from my area, NYC
http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/bik/730876400.html
http://newyork.craigslist.org/lgi/bik/726928967.html (similar msrp to your 700's)
 
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Caveman

Platinum Member
Nov 18, 1999
2,533
34
91
Yeah... Looks like CL is a good way to go... Even in a small city like I live (180k), there are more bikes for sale than I thought...

Without riding, is there any way to tell if a bike will fit reasonably well? I'm 5'9", and the wife is 5'5"...
 
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dakels

Platinum Member
Nov 20, 2002
2,809
2
0
Originally posted by: Caveman
Yeah... Looks like CL is a good way to go... Even in a small city like I live (180k), there are more bikes for sale than I thought...

Without riding, is there any way to tell if a bike will fit reasonably well? I'm 5'9", and the wife is 5'5"...
Click to expand...

good article on how to measure for a bike
I am your height, 18" (medium) works for me. Depends on the person though, some people have longer legs, prefer larger or smaller, up to you.
 
HomeBrewerDude

HomeBrewerDude

Lifer
Jan 18, 2001
14,465
1
0
Originally posted by: Caveman
Yeah... Looks like CL is a good way to go... Even in a small city like I live (180k), there are more bikes for sale than I thought...

Without riding, is there any way to tell if a bike will fit reasonably well? I'm 5'9", and the wife is 5'5"...
Click to expand...

I wasn't suggesting you walk away from this deal, but that you simply try to haggle down $100 off the price. Yes, those bikes are barely used, but they are not essentially brand new either. In fact they are over 15 yrs old. Be prepared for some expenses on the wearable parts like rubber and rust prone chains.

CL is great for this sort of thing, but you can easily sink 40 hours into searching/calling/looking at bikes. If you know you like these bikes AND you can talk him down a bit then by all means execute the deal. CL would probably be a useful haggling point (e.g., well, theres a much newer bike on CL for essentially the same price as yours...)

Cheers
HBD
 
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dakels

Platinum Member
Nov 20, 2002
2,809
2
0
Originally posted by: HomeBrewerDude
Originally posted by: Caveman
Yeah... Looks like CL is a good way to go... Even in a small city like I live (180k), there are more bikes for sale than I thought...

Without riding, is there any way to tell if a bike will fit reasonably well? I'm 5'9", and the wife is 5'5"...
Click to expand...

I wasn't suggesting you walk away from this deal, but that you simply try to haggle down $100 off the price. Yes, those bikes are barely used, but they are not essentially brand new either. In fact they are over 15 yrs old. Be prepared for some expenses on the wearable parts like rubber and rust prone chains.

CL is great for this sort of thing, but you can easily sink 40 hours into searching/calling/looking at bikes. If you know you like these bikes AND you can talk him down a bit then by all means execute the deal. CL would probably be a useful haggling point (e.g., well, theres a much newer bike on CL for essentially the same price as yours...)

Cheers
HBD
Click to expand...
I agree completely. Also my references to CL were a perspective of why I didn't think this was a great deal. HBD brings up a good point that I will echo, if it's worth it to you then go for it. You know this person, you know the bikes, it's easy to get.

I think this sale is really good for the seller, mediocre for the buyer. The guy gets to sell 2 15+yo bikes, both in 1 shot for 60-70% of retail. Wouldn't we all like to sell things like that.
 
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