Second Hand Bicycles

[GuyduS]

Thought I would share this and perhaps save someone else the frustration I went through.

 

I recently found a bicycle that I really liked on the hub. It was a Pinarello FP6 and it was advertised as a 56 cm frame. I went and had a look at the bike and it seemed in good shape. I went in to a renowned cycle store and asked what I should be paying for the bike and what size frame I should get. I was told that I should get a 55 cm, so I though that one cm either way wouldn't be a prob and the store owner agreed.

 

I offered the recommended price and the seller eventually agreed.

 

Very happy with the purchase, I went for my first few rides and was a little concerned. Understand that I had been riding a mid '90s steel frame Pinarello with a cheap set of wheels weighing in at around 11kg. I had just spent a large sum of money on an almost new high tech carbon frame bike with very expensive wheels weighing in at around 8 kg. I was expecting to fly in the new machine, but it just didn't feel right. now worried that there might be a problem with the frame, I took it in to a local bike shop and was told that there was nothing wrong with the bike and that the only faulty component might be my legs.

 

After a wheeling the bike into the original renowned bike shop, the owner took one look at the bike and said that it was way too big for me and that it would probably feel like riding a truck. After measuring the frame, he said that the size was closer to a 59 or 60. I then decided that there was no point holding on to the bike and sold it, losing a small sum of money in the process.

 

Lessons when buying a bike second hand:

 

Insist on having the bike fitted and serviced at a trusted dealer of your choice and at the expense of the seller and before any money changes hands. If he disagrees, there is probably something wrong with the bike and you should probably not take it.

 

Remember that there are a lot of bikes for sale out there and another even better bargain will probably crop up fairly soon.

 

Quote from renowned cycle store owner:" Its better to ride a R2000 bike thats your size than a R100 000 bike that isn't!"

 

PS...Interesting point. I went for a ride on my old steel frame Pinarello this morning and found it great. Despite its weight disadvantage, its still an awesome bicycle.

Edited October 23, 2010 by GuyduS

[BogusOne]

Did you never consider taking it for a spin around the block when you went to go and have a look at the bike? Should be the obvious thing to do.

[MacDaddy]

I agree 100% with your statement regarding making sure about sizing but also must say that a good steel bike will give a far more comfortable ride over any carbon bike on any given day.

[GuyduS]

I did take it for a quick spin, but wasn't sure what to look for. Everything worked fine. I guess experience tells you what you're looking for. Unfortunately hindsight is the only perfect science. You can only get experience through doing things, and sometimes doing them wrong, or learning from other people's mistakes.... Hence this post.

[GuyduS]

As for steel frames being more comfortable, it sure is... but there is normally a trade off between comfort and speed. In the case above, the Carbon frame wasn't at all uncomfortable, it just felt heavy and unresponsive, as if there was some resistance to the pedaling action. For me the steel frame felt much lighter and faster. Strange thing is that the steel frame is similar in size to the carbon one...

 

Any wise explanations there?

[MacDaddy]

steel is much more forgiving compared to carbon. I am no expert but I ride carbon, titanium as well as steel and carbon (albeit very light and stiff) is my least favourite. it boils down to personal preference at the end of the day I suppose.

Edited October 23, 2010 by LBJ_1

['Dale]

Great post, G...

Valuable points.

[bikemonster]

Let's drop the BS that carbon is this, steel is that, alu is another thing and ti is whatever is left.

 

Yes, materials have default characteristics, but framebuidling technique has a bigger impact on ride characteristics than material choice, and changing tyre pressure has a larger impact still.

[javadude]

Agree with Bikemonster.

 

I fitted 25c Gatorskins to what I thought were very stiff Fulcrum's and rode them at 100psi as opposed to 120. What a massive difference it made.

 

I suppose the engineers can get their calculators out and tell me about rolling resistance etc but I dont ride bikes to break world records.

[bontie]

Just another tip, you have to make sure what measurement the manufacturer uses to size its bikes - best is to check geometry on the websites. Pinarello typically measures their bikes c to c on the seat tube. which would make probably make the bike in question a 57cm, which is very large bicycle. I rode a 51,5cm Pinarello F4:13, which seems like a small bike. The top tube was 54cm.

 

Bianchi have also been measuring their bikes by the top tube lately, like most American bikes.

 

If you intend buying a second hand bike, measure the effective top tube and compare to what you have.

 

Pity about the lost cash dude....

[Mish100]

I did the same as you but worst thing that I was warned about the size.

 

Luckly I sold it 4 months later

[MyGT]

good post. maybe a good suggestion for would be buyers, if you find a bicycle on the hub that you wish to purchase, you should go to your lbs or one that sells that specific brand that you want to buy. ask the lbs owner about the bike and if he has one, ask him to do a fitting for you and what size of that specific frame would suit you. also he should give soe insight on the geometry of the frame. other contributing factors is the stem size, top tube lenght etc. then from a fitting perspective you would know what to look for.

 

sorry to hear that it was an expensive learning experience.

[BeegMig]

lucky you didn't sell the classic

[Richard]

Valid points you raise, I got 2nd hand bike set up by Solomons in Woodmead, it felt uncomfortable I decided to take it to Cycle Lad Fourways, needless to say, the set was significantly different from Solomons..so if two reputable bike shops can't agree on set up, what chance do you have getting it right 1st time, esp, with bike manufacturers using hym books for bike measurements.

 

"Insist on having the bike fitted....expense of the seller", I am not sure I'd be prepared to fund the buyer's lack of knowledge next time I sell my bike, One must inspect and try out the bike beforehand, perhaps ask to take it out for a spin on the track, then again Hubbers are bargain hunters...spread across the 9 provinces....how practical are some of the points raised above...I dunno.

[urbanroyal]

I say ride the bike , if it feels right then its right, this with the fittings and what the LBS has to say is a load of BS ...IMO, I am 1.76 and ride a bike with a 58 cm top tube, its seat tube is 61cm, never felt more comfortable on a bike , no aches pains and all the other BS that everybody warned me about..LBS said my hot feet pain was due to the large frame..more BS... The shoe was to narrow, bought a broader shoe , problem solved....just my BS , use it dont use it...

[Ha Ha Kieran]

Also would not fork out my cash for you to have the bike set up for you and serviced for you... I have already done that for me.