Author Topic: Mustachians: Should I buy this bike?  (Read 3934 times)

Marko

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Mustachians: Should I buy this bike?
« on: April 10, 2013, 09:00:56 PM »
Hello Mustachians -

First time poster, sometime lurker here in the Mustache community. I need your bike purchasing expertise.

I live 2.5 miles from my office, and I'm looking to get a commuter bike so I can join the revolution and all that. Pretty excited about it, to be honest.

I just this bike on the local classified site, and frankly I have no idea what questions to ask, let alone whether it's a good buy.

It's a Trek 800, guy is asking $110.

If it's relevant, I'm just under 6' tall, weigh about 195, with about a 32" inseam. Shorter-legged, longer-torsoed kind of dude.

Link to the ad:

http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=218&ad=24742249&cat=&lpid=15&search=bike&ad_cid=1

Can you guys help me out with what questions I should be asking? What should I be looking for if I make the drive to check out the bike? Should I pull the trigger on this thing?

Thanks so much for any advice.

- Mark Butler
« Last Edit: April 10, 2013, 09:03:38 PM by Marko »

dizzean

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Re: Mustachians: Should I buy this bike?
« Reply #1 on: April 10, 2013, 09:13:18 PM »
Stand over the top tube and then reach back and lift the bike up from the seat and the handebars, you should have about 2 inches of clearance for a proper fit.

I bought a mid 90s Trek 820 in college and it has lasted me 6 years, it's still alive and kicking.  I've since upgraded but it's been a good reliable bike.

EDIT: I paid $75 for mine and I have had to put $90ish into it over the years to replace the pedals, shifters, and brakes.
« Last Edit: April 10, 2013, 09:17:47 PM by dizzean »

Emg03063

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Re: Mustachians: Should I buy this bike?
« Reply #2 on: April 10, 2013, 10:02:21 PM »
Trek 800 was my first mountain bike.  I'm 5' 10" and normally proportioned.  At that price, if it's as advertised, you can't really go too far wrong.  Ask if you can test ride and see if it feels good to you.  Seats are adjustable.

dizzean

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Re: Mustachians: Should I buy this bike?
« Reply #3 on: April 11, 2013, 09:02:31 AM »
Because of the health and cost benefits of biking, I'm convinced that the "right bike" for anybody is the one you will ride and fits you.  Cost is really a tertiary consideration in my book.

Marko

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Re: Mustachians: Should I buy this bike?
« Reply #4 on: April 11, 2013, 07:10:26 PM »
Just drove to the guy's house to check it out and take it for a short test drive. Was in good working order, so I bought it. He even threw in a set of road tires which was a nice bonus.

Thanks for your thoughts! My life as a bike commuter starts tomorrow.

As an aside, I walked the 2.5 miles to work today. Loved it.

dizzean

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Re: Mustachians: Should I buy this bike?
« Reply #5 on: April 11, 2013, 08:29:33 PM »
Just drove to the guy's house to check it out and take it for a short test drive. Was in good working order, so I bought it. He even threw in a set of road tires which was a nice bonus.

Thanks for your thoughts! My life as a bike commuter starts tomorrow.

As an aside, I walked the 2.5 miles to work today. Loved it.

Congrats!  Did he throw in just the tires or a whole new set of wheels?

If the shifters are the original ones, they might need some adjusting or replacement in the next couple of years.

Faraday

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Re: Mustachians: Should I buy this bike?
« Reply #6 on: April 12, 2013, 06:56:16 PM »
You did great. $110 is a decent price for that bike and by all means, put the road tires on ASAP, you'll be glad you did. That bike makes a great "heavy commuter" - it looks great with fenders and rack and handles well in bad weather and rain. You can load it down with a good bit of weight and it'll keep on going.

Make sure the chain, derailleurs and cables are well lubed and in good shape. If the derailleurs work well and precisely, you'll get years of great service out of this bike.

It's also a great platform for building your first ebike: the frame is strong and can handle the weight of a motor, controller and batteries.