What should I ask the seller about this road bicycle?

[edprush]

I replied to a classified ad, "For Sale -- 56cm Fuji with carbon fork and triple crank. New condition. $295.00"

What should I ask to find out if it is a piece of junk or not?

Wtf is Fuji? The model or brand/make?

Thanks.

 

[Heisenberg]

*paging Brutuskend*

 

[StevenYoo]

fuji is the manufacturer.

i dunno anything about bikes, sorry i can't give more info

 

[notfred]

Fuji is a manfacturer.

I could give you all the questions to ask, but do you want me to give you all the answers, too?

You want to know how old it is, what components are on it, what the frame is made out of, does it include pedals?

 

[Brutuskend]

Ask him what groupo is on the bike.

105/600/Dura ace etc. (If it's Shimano) if it's Suntour, it's OLD and I would stay away from it since Suntour no longer makes shifter/dérailleur parts and they are not compatible with Shimano components.

That having been said, at that price, even if the bike needs work, it's a good deal!

 

[five40]

Are you a pirate and does this bike do a minimum of 20 knots under water?

 

[edprush]

The seller emailed me some additonal information:

The model is "Finest" which does not imply it is their top of the line model.

I purchased the frame new this spring, although it is not a current
model year. It is chrome-moly, which I find more comfortable than
aluminum, which is found on most models today. I replaced the original
chrome-moly fork with a carbon fork. It has eyelets for fenders and/or
a rack, and a triple crank for hills, although I realize it's pretty
level around eastern Story county. It is equipped with 8 speed Shimano
components, so you have a total of 24 gears.

I have many bikes, and need to "reduce my inventory", but this bike is in like new
condition, and has performed well on a couple of 100 mile rides.

What do you think now?

 

[edprush]

any other recommendations/opinions before I meet with the seller?

 

[notfred]

Originally posted by: edprush
any other recommendations/opinions before I meet with the seller?

Well, here's Fuji's page on the"Finest". They have a $650 MSRP, so I don't see how it couldn't be a good deal at $300, unless it's been run over by a car.

 

[edprush]

by the way, any idea how the seller could have replace the fork without welding? Isn't the fork part of the one-piece frame?

 

[ShotgunSteven]

Originally posted by: edprush
by the way, any idea how the seller could have replace the fork without welding? Isn't the fork part of the one-piece frame?

If it were, wouldn't steering be rather difficult?

 

[Muadib]

What year is it? I find it odd how he avoids answering that question. You can't price it unless you know the answer.

 

[edprush]

Originally posted by: ShotgunSteven

Originally posted by: edprush
by the way, any idea how the seller could have replace the fork without welding? Isn't the fork part of the one-piece frame?

If it were, wouldn't steering be rather difficult?

Good point.

Man I don't have the right to buy/have a bike being as f'n stupid as I am.

 

[edprush]

Originally posted by: Muadib
What year is it? I find it odd how he avoids answering that question. You can't price it unless you know the answer.

he wrote to me a couple of days ago and said,

I purchased the frame new this spring, although it is not a current model year.

So I assume it is a 2004 or 2005 frame...depending upong when the new model year is released.

 

[Systxm]

no idea, but for that cash it should at least be made of chromally

 

[Muadib]

Originally posted by: edprush

Originally posted by: Muadib
What year is it? I find it odd how he avoids answering that question. You can't price it unless you know the answer.

he wrote to me a couple of days ago and said,

I purchased the frame new this spring, although it is not a current model year.

So I assume it is a 2004 or 2005 frame...depending upong when the new model year is released.

Yeah, but that's my point, you don't really know. That model was around in 2001, is the frame from that year? If so, then the deal is hot, FOR HIM!! Get all the details before you buy. Oh yeah, and watch the Odd Couple so you can learn what happens when you assume.

 

[Muadib]

Originally posted by: Brutuskend
Ask him what groupo is on the bike.

105/600/Dura ace etc. (If it's Shimano) if it's Suntour, it's OLD and I would stay away from it since Suntour no longer makes shifter/dérailleur parts and they are not compatible with Shimano components.

That having been said, at that price, even if the bike needs work, it's a good deal!

Dura ace on a bike that retails for $650? I think not. Granted, I'm years out of the bike game, but Dura ace was top end sh!t.

 

[silverpig]

Tiagra/Sora... entry level stuff. It's what I have on my bike... it's good stuff, but there is definitely much nicer out there. Good starter components.

I'm kinda concerned cause the site says "FRAMESET: Compact Design, Fuji Altair 2 Custom Butted 7000 Series Aluminum Frame" and he says it's chrome/moly. Carbon fork is good though.

 

[LS20]

Originally posted by: silverpig
Tiagra/Sora... entry level stuff. It's what I have on my bike... it's good stuff, but there is definitely much nicer out there. Good starter components.

I'm kinda concerned cause the site says "FRAMESET: Compact Design, Fuji Altair 2 Custom Butted 7000 Series Aluminum Frame" and he says it's chrome/moly. Carbon fork is good though.

different years

retailers offer clearance discount on previous year's models to make way for newer models...

i have a 1999 fuji finest chrome-molybdenum and it rides well

 

[iamtrout]

Definitely get the year of the bike and report back. A slight problem with cromoly is that its most likely going to be heavier than aluminum and will be prone to rust if you chip the paint, and internal rusting (inside the tubes) if you leave it outside in the rain, but then again its more durable, and the ride is more comfortable because it absorbs road vibration better than aluminum, which is very stiff. If you get this bike store it inside if you can.

 

[edprush]

Originally posted by: iamtrout
Definitely get the year of the bike and report back. A slight problem with cromoly is that its most likely going to be heavier than aluminum and will be prone to rust if you chip the paint, and internal rusting (inside the tubes) if you leave it outside in the rain, but then again its more durable, and the ride is more comfortable because it absorbs road vibration better than aluminum, which is very stiff. If you get this bike store it inside if you can.

Here is my latest email from the seller:

the frame is a 2001 model. I should point out that I have upgraded this
frame with a carbon fiber fork, which tends to improve both comfort and
performance.

Oh yeah, he says it doesn't come with pedals!!!! wtf

 

[laurenlex]

The most important question is:

Will this bike fit me properly? Frame size is very important on a road bike. If it's wrong, riding it will suck.

Go to a bike shop, get fitted, learn a little, and then start shopping.

[rant] You must make sure the bike fits you. [/rant]

 

[edprush]

Originally posted by: laurenlex
The most important question is:

Will this bike fit me properly? Frame size is very important on a road bike. If it's wrong, riding it will suck.

Go to a bike shop, get fitted, learn a little, and then start shopping.

[rant] You must make sure the bike fits you. [/rant]

I was going to do that but I feel bad about 'using' the bike store to measure me. But I guess I need to do it.

 

[Brutuskend]

Chrome-moly is much better then Aluminum for ride comfort.

If it fits, I would buy it!

 

[Muadib]

Have you seen pics of the bike? You really don't seem to know what you are buying. Does it come with wheels & a seat, or is he just selling the frame with components? What size is the frame?