Need help buying a used bicycle

[evident]

I'm looking to replace an entry level Fuji Special hybrid bike that was given to me by my sister. Some a$$hole in my gf's parents neighborhood decided it would be cool to break into everyone's sheds. My bike that i was storing there ended up getting swapped w/ a huffy beach cruiser.

Anyways, I'm looking to get either another hybrid or a road bike and looking to spend up to $500. I've taken that fuji special bike from Philly to Wildwood and was able to endure the pain and get a good workout. I do a couple long bike runs a year, but mostly it will be used for going 15 miles in the park or so.

Anyways, I have no idea about how much to spend on a used bike, or how to tell what frame size will fit me. I am 5'8 w/ a 30-31" inseam. There is a local craigslist posting for a 2009 Fuji Absolute 2.0 in my area asking $450. I believe it is 19". would that fit me? and if so, how much should i offer to purchase it for?

EDIT:

Here is the actual craigslist posting. I offered $300 but he's coming back at $400 for it. He thinks that the components he upgraded are worth the extra cost. opinions? I saw one place online selling this bike for $500, but it doesn't come w/ the same grade components that he has. Should i get it for $400?
http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/bik/1855267160.html

 

[Juked07]

Lol someone broke into your shed and swapped bikes with you?

Go get fitted and ask lots of nosey questions at a bike shop before saying "I'll come back later" and then looking on craigslist. They'll be a lot better at sizing/getting you the right seat position, which is arguably the most important thing. Then you can try to replicate it on your own more cheaply in your craigslist endeavors..

 

[evident]

Lol someone broke into your shed and swapped bikes with you?

Go get fitted and ask lots of nosey questions at a bike shop before saying "I'll come back later" and then looking on craigslist. They'll be a lot better at sizing/getting you the right seat position, which is arguably the most important thing. Then you can try to replicate it on your own more cheaply in your craigslist endeavors..

Thanks for the tip! I plan on doing that later this week. I would have been less pissed if they stole it, but they had to add insult to injury by swapping it w/ a POS. It was probably some kid in the neighborhood who wanted an upgrade. He probably sold it /traded it at this point so it couldn't be recognized.

 

[Dirigible]

Used bike:

Fit: If it's comfy it'll likely fit and a 19" is *probably* ok for someone your height, but a true bike fitting takes a lot of measurements 'n' shit. I find the single most useful measurement is the effective top tube length of a bike, but even that doesn't tell the whole story. Most bikes (including the Fuji) are nominally sized based off the seat tube length, which I don't find very helpful.

Price: I'd aim for a big discount, roughly 50% for a recent bike, bigger discount for something 5+ years old. Looks like the msrp of the Fuji absolute 2 is $870, which makes $450 an ok deal. Offer a little less, of course, if you decide you want to buy it.

As always with a used bike, make sure all the bearings (wheels, bottom bracket, headset) are smooth, make sure the gears don't look shark finned or otherwise worn, and make sure 12 chain links are within 1/8" of 12" - 1/16" is better (a longer chain = more worn, and more likely to have messed up the gears). The wheels should be true, the gears should shift crisply, the brakes should have good power.

Other comments:

A) If you're riding on roads and don't have a real reason for a hybrid, consider a real road bike. Hybrids are fine for cruising short distances, but if there's any chance you'll get into cycling, get a true road bike.

B) I have a lot of friends who work in/run bike shops. They ain't paid much, and shops don't make big bucks. Going there to use up their time getting fitted with no intention of making a purchase is a dick move. Don't be a dick.

 

[Ricemarine]

Used bike:

Fit: If it's comfy it'll likely fit and a 19" is *probably* ok for someone your height, but a true bike fitting takes a lot of measurements 'n' shit. I find the single most useful measurement is the effective top tube length of a bike, but even that doesn't tell the whole story. Most bikes (including the Fuji) are nominally sized based off the seat tube length, which I don't find very helpful.

Price: I'd aim for a big discount, roughly 50% for a recent bike, bigger discount for something 5+ years old. Looks like the msrp of the Fuji absolute 2 is $870, which makes $450 an ok deal. Offer a little less, of course, if you decide you want to buy it.

As always with a used bike, make sure all the bearings (wheels, bottom bracket, headset) are smooth, make sure the gears don't look shark finned or otherwise worn, and make sure 12 chain links are within 1/8" of 12" - 1/16" is better (a longer chain = more worn, and more likely to have messed up the gears). The wheels should be true, the gears should shift crisply, the brakes should have good power.

Other comments:

A) If you're riding on roads and don't have a real reason for a hybrid, consider a real road bike. Hybrids are fine for cruising short distances, but if there's any chance you'll get into cycling, get a true road bike.

B) I have a lot of friends who work in/run bike shops. They ain't paid much, and shops don't make big bucks. Going there to use up their time getting fitted with no intention of making a purchase is a dick move. Don't be a dick.

summed it up pretty well.

Here's a helpful link to determine road bike size http://www.ebicycles.com/bicycle-tools/frame-sizer/road-bike. I ride a 54cm however even though when I calculate it here it says I should ride a 55cm. You can try other equations to get a closer match.

Going on with what Dirigible said, first verify the components on the bike are the components you want. Some bikes on craigslist have swapped parts so they might try and get a few extra bucks for a bike that's not the real deal. You want to verify that the hub and the front crankset are not too worn and that the chain does not have too much lack as well. Then, you want to make sure it shifts properly and that you don't get any clicking when riding the bike (very common and a pain to diagnose). If there is, the check the truing of the wheels. If there are any problems, don't hesitate to deduct that from the original price.

With $500, you could get a $700-1600 bike for that price. My 2006 Specialized Allez Comp I got for $600 but it was bought from a guy who originally bought the bike for $450. With up to $500, I'd settle with a bike with at least a Shimano sora/tiagra mix.

 

[evident]

Here is the actual craigslist posting. I offered $300 but he's coming back at $400 for it. He thinks that the components he upgraded are worth the extra cost. opinions? I saw one place online selling this bike for $500, but it doesn't come w/ the same grade components that he has.
http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/bik/1855267160.html

 

[UberNeuman]

I've never bought a used bike. I just help myself to one of the many bikes that are sitting out on the bike rack by the side of the building.

Isn't that what they're there for?

 

[abaez]

Sorry to hijack this thread, but can anyone comment on this bike:

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/bik/1880551152.html

Specialized Allez Sport. I've read some good things online, and I'm looking to start riding a bit more. Any issues or bad things about this or the price?

 

[Blackjack200]

I've never bought a used bike. I just help myself to one of the many bikes that are sitting out on the bike rack by the side of the building.

Isn't that what they're there for?

Sometimes the people that brought them there don't get the concept of "sharing", so if you take one of those bikes it's best to ride around the neighborhood checking the garages and looking for a nice Fuji or something to swap out.