I need an inexpensive bike for a friend

[OriginalReaper]

My friend wants to get a decent bike and upgrade it along the way. Money is a huge issue, so we're going for used old bikes. I'd like to know what you guys thought of these:

He's 5'10" and needs a 56-57cm frame

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=98084&item=7162451449&rd=1
We like this the most

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=98084&item=7162814314&rd=1
Frame is a little too big

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=98084&item=7163499896&rd=1
I dont understand the C-T measurement on this one

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=98084&item=7163773310&rd=1
Probably too much wear and tear

We're looking for something that's less than $300 used. I managed a good bike at $305 (cannondale st1000 with great suntour parts) so I know it's not impossible.

Please help. Thanks

 

[boudreaux]

My friend wants to get a decent bike and upgrade it along the way. Money is a huge issue, so we're going for used old bikes. I'd like to know what you guys thought of these:

He's 5'10" and needs a 56-57cm frame

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=98084&item=7162451449&rd=1
We like this the most

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=98084&item=7162814314&rd=1
Frame is a little too big

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=98084&item=7163499896&rd=1
I dont understand the C-T measurement on this one

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=98084&item=7163773310&rd=1
Probably too much wear and tear

We're looking for something that's less than $300 used. I managed a good bike at $305 (cannondale st1000 with great suntour parts) so I know it's not impossible.

Please help. Thanks

Fiji is overpriced. Trek is probably the best bet. Forget the other two.

 

[OriginalReaper]

Fiji is overpriced. Trek is probably the best bet. Forget the other two.

Okay, thanks. How much do you think I should pay (at the most) for the trek?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=98084&item=7162741745&rd=1

What about that one? I sense scam, but I dont know much about brands. At 199 it's probably garbage. What do you think?

 

[boudreaux]

Okay, thanks. How much do you think I should pay (at the most) for the trek?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=98084&item=7162741745&rd=1

What about that one? I sense scam, but I dont know much about brands. At 199 it's probably garbage. What do you think?

It's not a scam,but do you want a bottom of the barrel POS with stem shifters? The Trek probably isn't worth more than $175 once you figure in shipping cost.

 

[oneradtec]

My friend wants to get a decent bike and upgrade it along the way. Money is a huge issue, so we're going for used old bikes. I'd like to know what you guys thought of these:

He's 5'10" and needs a 56-57cm frame

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=98084&item=7162451449&rd=1
We like this the most

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=98084&item=7162814314&rd=1
Frame is a little too big

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=98084&item=7163499896&rd=1
I dont understand the C-T measurement on this one

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=98084&item=7163773310&rd=1
Probably too much wear and tear

We're looking for something that's less than $300 used. I managed a good bike at $305 (cannondale st1000 with great suntour parts) so I know it's not impossible.

Please help. Thanks

I like the Trek 1000. I would pay up to 250 dollars for it. Heck I wouldn't be ashamed to ride that myself.