What to look for when inspecting a bike/How much is this bike worth?

[DrQian]

Wowzers, 3 pages. I did not expect that. Thanks for replying everyone. So, the conclusion is no... or possibly yes.

I guess I will let this one pass as there is an issue with the size and might be an issue with the quality. Do people mind if I post other bikes I see on here to get their opinions?

Just to clarify, £150 isn't all I have to spend. I could go up higher, but I don't want to spend too much money on something I might hate, or leave out in the rain all year and get ruined. And if I love touring, then I can always sell my first bike and get another one next year.

 

[DrQian]

For example, how is this, listed at £230:

Awesome hand built British classic road racing bike from the 1980s.
Original paint and decals look brilliant.
Rides like new - hard to find in this condition - this has not seen much use.
Super quality Reynolds 531 Competition frame and forks - size 57cm to suit 5"8 to 6'2 +/-
Shimano 105 cranks. 42T chainring. New bolts. Silky smooth BB.
Campagnolo Headset. Smooth. Campagnolo Brakes calipers - new pads.
Shimano 105 aero levers.
Cinelli stem. Cinelli Giro d' Italia Bars. New bar wrap.
New Selle saddle. New ITM seatpost.
Pelissier Hubs laced to Rigida 700c rims. Spinning true. Michelin gumwall tyres. New freewheel.
ultamate alluminium frame
comes with a chain lock.
all brakes and gears work perfect.

This is a special offer, i am selling it because im moving out of the country soon so feel free to give me a call.

This has 700c tires, and would probably be easier to fix if anything went wrong. It also seems to be in good condition. What do people think about this? Good value?

Thanks.

 

[chris667]

You're a glutton for punishment!
It has 531c tubing, so it might be a bit whippy with a lot of luggage. More of a pure road bike than a tourer, TBH, that rack is a bit outside of its comfort zone.

On the CTC forum at the minute, there's a woman who is selling two Claud Butler Black Diamonds, which are about 10 years old. I think she wants £275 each for them. They have all the racks and everything and are ready to go.

 

[swee'pea99]

You back here stirring up trouble again eh?

To answer your question, no. I've seen as good or better for significantly less. You might get £230 if you put that on ebay, but I think you might also get significantly less. It's probably a good bike - 531, 105 bits and so on - but the price is topend for what it is. I'd also be a bit cautious about buying from someone who appears to believe that 531 is an 'ultamate alluminium frame' or that any frame can 'suit 5"8 to 6'2'.

More generally, you pay significantly more for an old bike 'in showroom condition'. If that's important to you, fine. But if not, I'd put my money on a better bike rather than better paintwork.

Don't get me wrong - it looks like a good bike. But you could do better for that money, and if you decided to cash it in after a year and the odd bump and scrape, you'd liekly lose £100 on the turnaround.

If it was me, I'd certainly still be tempted to at least go and have a spin on that Galaxy. But that's me...

 

[accountantpete]

I love the expert brake/gear cabling on that bike

At a guess I would assume it has been built up out of spare parts.

 

[swee'pea99]

This is a pretty sound machine from the early '80s, Reynolds 501, so not quite as good as 531, but a good tube nevertheless. It's been upgraded too, which suggests an enthusiastic owner (check the brake levers with under-the-bar-tape cabling - almost certainly not original). Probably be a good low-risk way to get back into cycling, and give you a year's fun while you develop a better feel for exactly what you want in a bike. It's round the corner for you, and I'll be surprised if it goes past £100 - you could well get it for a lot less.

 

[Arch]

Well done, in a quick browse I didn't spot that!

 

[swee'pea99]

I think when you're buying second hand it's important to try to gauge the seller as well as what's being sold.

 

[DrQian]

On the CTC forum at the minute, there's a woman who is selling two Claud Butler Black Diamonds, which are about 10 years old. I think she wants £275 each for them. They have all the racks and everything and are ready to go.

Thanks, I'll have a look at these.

That's in Brighton, so is very close, but wouldn't I have trouble carrying my stuff if I'm cycle camping?

[quote name='swee'pea99']You back here stirring up trouble again eh?

To answer your question, no. I've seen as good or better for significantly less. You might get £230 if you put that on ebay, but I think you might also get significantly less. It's probably a good bike - 531, 105 bits and so on - but the price is topend for what it is. I'd also be a bit cautious about buying from someone who appears to believe that 531 is an 'ultamate alluminium frame' or that any frame can 'suit 5"8 to 6'2'.

More generally, you pay significantly more for an old bike 'in showroom condition'. If that's important to you, fine. But if not, I'd put my money on a better bike rather than better paintwork.

lol, yes, I saw the bit about the aluminium frame too, I was more than a little confused. I might email and see if he'll take a lower price given what you've said. I'm willing to pay a bit more than I should for something quite near and available now, because I need to start my training.

Thanks everyone for your continued help.

 

[swee'pea99]

That's in Brighton, so is very close, but wouldn't I have trouble carrying my stuff if I'm cycle camping?

You'd have to get one of these.

 

[DrQian]

these[/URL].

Wait, so you can fit these to any bike? I assumed that racing bikes needed some kind of meddling before you could fit racks. If not I think I'll contact the seller and ask if I can have a test ride. Thanks for your help!

 

[peanut]

Wait, so you can fit these to any bike? I assumed that racing bikes needed some kind of meddling before you could fit racks. If not I think I'll contact the seller and ask if I can have a test ride. Thanks for your help!

The bikes you are looking at are not racing bikes they are more of a sports/touring bike with presumably mudguard eyes .

A racing bike has no eyes on the frame because they are made for racing not touring.

 

[DrQian]

The bikes you are looking at are not racing bikes they are more of a sports/touring bike with presumably mudguard eyes .

A racing bike has no eyes on the frame because they are made for racing not touring.

Just to clarify, the bike I am referring to is the one swee'pea posted, which is listed as a racing bike:

 

[swee'pea99]

If this is the same bike - and it probably is, give or take, then it certainly is listed as a racing bike rather than a tourer. Whether or not it has the mudguard holes you'd want to put a rack on, I can't quite make out (and my apologies for not having thought of it) but I'm sure if you emailed the seller they'd be happy to confirm one way or t'other. (It's generally worth emailing sellers on one pretext or another before any significant buy on ebay...helps you find out who you'd be dealing with if you went ahead.)

 

[DrQian]

Ok, I'll contact the seller. Thanks.

Edit: Sorry, another noob question. If it does have the mudguard holes, and then I fit a rack, that means I won't be able to have a mudguard? How useful is it to have one?