Conference noted::bicycle

1884.0. "Long distance appraisals anyone?" by ENOVAX::CLEVENGER () Tue Mar 19 1991 13:29

This is my first entry in  this  file.    I  discovered  Bicycle Notes a
couple  of  months  ago  and have really  enjoyed  reading  through  and
catching up.  

The reason I an writing this note is to ask if anybody is willing to try
a  long  distance appraisal and also for some friendly  advice?    I  am
looking  at  a used road bike that belongs to a  friend  and  wonder  if
anybody can give an idea of its value.  Neither I  nor its current owner
us have a good idea of the used bicycle market and I  would like to know
the range encompassing a fair price.

Following are approximate  specifications  I  drew  up by inspecting and
measuring the bike.   I  tried  to  get  things  right,  but  if you see
something silly feel free to challenge what you think is in error.

Manufacturer:           Panasonic 
Type:                   Road Bike   
Color:                  Pearl White
Weight:                 13.6 Kg.    (30 LSB)

-- FRAME --
Size:                   52          (20.3)             Gear Inches
Top Tube:               53.3        (21.0)               | 40   52
Seat Tube:              54.0        (21.3)            ---+--------
Chainstays:             44.0        (17.3)            14 | 77  100 
Head Angle:                  73 deg.                  17 | 63   82 
Bottom Bracket Height:  28.0        (11.0)            20 | 54   70 
Wheel Base:            103.4        (40.7)            24 | 45   59 
Fork Rake:               5.7        ( 2.3)            28 | 39   50 
Trail:                  14.2        ( 5.6)

-- WHEELS --
Hubs: Front             Shimano Quick Release
      Rear              Shimano Quick Release, 120mm spacing
Spokes:                 36
Rims:                   ARAY 27 x 1-1/4 w/o HP, Chromed Steel Clinchers
Tires:                  Panasonic 27 x 1-1/4, 85 psi

-- COMPONENTS --
Brakes:                 Dia Compe, dual control levers
Pedals:                 Open cage steel, 1/2" thread
Headset:                
Seat Post:              
Saddle:                 
Kick Stand:             Aluminum
Bar:                    SR Sakae Road Champion 43cm (17.0) aluminum*
Stem:                   SR Sakae 12 cm (4.75) aluminum*

-- DRIVE TRAIN --
Derailleurs:            Shimano 600 front/50 rear
Chain:                  
Crankset:               Tourney 170mm
Bottom Bracket:         Takagi, Cotterless
Free Wheel:             Shimano 14/17/20/24/28
Shifters:               Shimano stem mounted, non-indexed levers

    * appearance is that of aluminum - could be alloyed with magnesium.
    
Some background:  The bike's owner  has  not  ridden  regularly in about
five  years.  I just started riding  last  year  after  a  twenty+  year
hiatus.  

The  intended use is for fitness riding on semi-country roads.   I  have
been  riding  an  OLD  (mumble_make) 20" ten speed which weighs about 40
pounds with the basics, more with water bottle, tool pack etc.

I'd like a spare bike and wouldn't mind cutting weight  (now that I have
my body weight down a bit).  I haven't traveled over 25 (hilly) miles in
a single ride yet but have visions of riding a century before the end of
this coming season.  

Using information  from  magazines  and  advice  found elsewhere in this
file, I'd say I belong on a 48cm frame.  In fact, when I stand over this
one, the frame is  really  *close*.    Maybe I should look for a smaller
frame. At the very least,  I  would  plan to change the tires to 26" dia.
Anybody care to guess if changing  to  smaller  tires  will  make enough
difference to warrant the trouble and expense? 

I have ridden this bike and the riding position is quite comfortable for
me.  Handling is ok and the bike has obviously been well cared for.  The
lowest gear is just a bit high for some of the hills  I  travel.    Here
again, the smaller tires will help.

Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Regards,

John 

>Using information  from  magazines  and  advice  found elsewhere in this
>file, I'd say I belong on a 48cm frame.  In fact, when I stand over this
>one, the frame is  really  *close*.    Maybe I should look for a smaller
>frame. At the very least,  I  would  plan to change the tires to 26" dia.
>Anybody care to guess if changing  to  smaller  tires  will  make enough
>difference to warrant the trouble and expense? 


DON'T switch to 26 inch wheels!!  You'll never get the brakes to work.


Straddle the bike and lift it up.  If you can't get both wheels at least
an inch off the ground, then you should look for a different bike.
This is a safety consideration.

My guess as to the price of the bike is $170-$240 new, $45-$110 used
depending on the condition and on things that I can't tell from here.
Please be aware this is a total guess.  I really don't know for sure,
and I haven't looked at bikes in the past few years.

The best bang for the buck is acheived by switching to aluminum rims.
They will be lighter, take higher pressure tires, and stop better
in the rain.  Anodized aluminum rims are OK but cost more and aren't as good.

Take off the "dual control levers" a.k.a "suicide levers".
It's better to have one kind of brake grip that works, than to have
a second that only half works.

Later, you can put a wider range freewheel and derailleur to get the
lower gears.

-Jeff Bell

John,

I would suggest you go out an look at new bikes and take them for a ride.
The newer bikes today are much more for the money than a lesser quality older
bikes. A low end new bike today comes with indexed 7-speed freewheels and
spacing. The Panasonic has only 120mm spacing, no 7 speed upgrade in its
future. 700c Alloy wheel sets are light and strong plus the range of tires and
makes seem to be more common than 27" sizes. The list goes on.

Most important is frame size. Get a bike that fits. After 25 miles A clunker 
that fits will feel faster and be a lot more comfortable than a space age 
machine that is too big.

Also there are good buys to be found in small frames. You can find a lot of
left overs in small and very large frames. So call around and see what you
money can get you. Check the Want Ad for bikes. There are many bikes bought for
women, from their bike geek boy friends/husbands that never get ridden more
than 50 miles and after a year of collecting dust they are in the paper getting
sold. Being a 48cm you might find something there.

Tom

	It's been said, changing 27's to 700's probably won't work.  If you
think you need a 48, this one will undoubtedly be too long in the top tube, and
lead to puny stems and funny handling.

	Let some one else buy it!

    	My first thought yesterday was the same as Mr. Hemmings'
    	thought:
    
    		Let someone else buy it!
    
    	You'd be better off to start with something new.
    
    	Scott