This 64cm Cannondale worth it?!

ask the seller for the size of the wheels, to me they look like 26' size (mountain bike size), for a road bike you want 29' or 700 x (23),

Quoted post said:

Originally Posted by miltowndown [IMG]/img/forum/go_quote.gif[/IMG]

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hnp/bik/3386583403.html

I'm fairly tall at around 6 ft 4, the bike is being sold to me for 600 bucks. I want to start cycling more seriously so is this a decent first racing bike?? i really need the advice, thanks.

IMO, bikes with EITHER smaller than normal OR larger than normal frames can warrant a premium over the middle-of-the-range frames (53cm-to-57cm) ...

And, FWIW, even if the shifters needed to be replaced (heck, I would recommend eventually replacing them with a pair of 11-speed Campagnolo shifters which will mate with the existing 9-speed Shimano drivetrain), 'I' would normally say that it IS "worth it."

BUT, I think that vspa is probably correct about the wheel size being smaller than 700c (the current "norm"😉 ...

And, while there is definitely a place for 650c wheels, the advantages generally for a shorter than 5'1" rider OR for competitive Triathletes who are trying to gain an aerodynamic edge by lowering the bike-and-rider and thereby reducing the aerodynamic drag ...

However, AFAIK, the smaller wheels are NOT acceptable for other types of competition if you think THAT will ever be a concern to you.

The selection of 650c tires is less, and they will wear out sooner simply due to more-rotations-per-mile if all other things are equal ...

Consequently, if 'I' were you then I would probably consider other options.

BTW. The particular CANNONDALE has a very short (57.5cm) top tube for a rider who is 6'4" tall ...

YOU would probably want a bike whose top tube is at least 60cm long ...

And, a 62cm top tube might be better for you.

I wouldn't pay $600 for that bike, especially given that it's about 10 years old or so.

Quoted post said:

Originally Posted by vspa [IMG]/img/forum/go_quote.gif[/IMG]

ask the seller for the size of the wheels, to me they look like 26' size (mountain bike size), for a road bike you want 29' or 700 x (23),

I think it's an optical illusion due to the 64cm frame--a frame that big always looks funny.

Quoted post said:

Originally Posted by alienator [IMG]/img/forum/go_quote.gif[/IMG]

I wouldn't pay $600 for that bike, especially given that it's about 10 years old or so.

Yeah, maybe $300 if everything works. The last ten years have been murder on obsolescence.

Regarding the fit, it looks like a very moderately proportioned 64 cm bike; the top tube is only about 3-4 cm shorter than the seat tube. The seller is obviously challenged when it comes to reading a measuring tape. He's also a bit optimistic about the size range of riders for this bike. Anything shorter than 6'5" might be a stretch, but for you the proof would be in the test ride.

There aren't too many customers for a 64 cm Cannondale. Check it out. If it fits, ask him if he really wants to sell it or keep it in his garage for another 10 years.