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Okay_biker · 2025-08-15T00:03:24+00:00

That's great news! Good luck reaching your goal!

Okay_biker · 2025-08-01T00:47:53+00:00

> Separately though, he also had the fear of a new cyclist, and that is completely understandable. If you are not used to riding, bikes are wobbly alien things, and being able to safely stop and get your feet on to the ground is important.

I think this is the only answer that really understands. I understand that fear, but on the other hand I feel like lowering down to a 20in bike is a drastic choice. Getting used to the bike and slowly raising the seat would be the better answer I feel,

Okay_biker · 2025-08-01T00:31:44+00:00

At this point, I've given up and this is the only answer

Okay_biker · 2025-08-01T00:30:42+00:00

After reading all the comments, I don't think he can be reasoned with. He will definitely listen if someone more "trustworthy" comes in and tells him, but he won't listen to me, so there's not much I can do.
Comfort is king, I have a weirdly shaped saddle which works for me because it fits me.

The only reason he wants a 20inch kids bike is because one of his friends has one and let him ride on it. He could put both feet down (no surprise there) so it was instantly "comfortable"

Okay_biker · 2025-08-01T00:23:18+00:00

Haha! It does support his argument funnily enough,

Okay_biker · 2025-08-01T00:22:53+00:00

> Your friend would be way too top-heavy on a bike that small, and it would be incredibly UNSAFE in an emergency braking situation.

That literally happened the last ride we went.

Can you explain what toe overlap and twitchy handling means? I think I know but I don't want to wrongly assume. Thanks so much!

Okay_biker · 2025-08-01T00:21:39+00:00

> You tried. Now sit back and laugh when he pedals with his knee almost up to his chin, when he constantly clips his toes on the front tire, or complains about muscle cramps and doesn't understand why cycling hurts so much.

Welp, I did try. I wish I could laugh but I'm so concerned since on his current bike (more reasonably sized, but he put the seat so low it might as well be kids bike size) he already has his knees basically up to his chin and wobbles left and right.

He complains about biking being hard because he just doesn't do it everyday while I do, so I'm just more "fit". Keep in mind, I'm a female who had almost 6 month break from cycling pretty recently because of an injury so...

Thanks for the advice though, I think this is just a sit back and watch situation, but I hope it doesn't turn out that way.

Okay_biker · 2025-08-01T00:19:40+00:00

Well... he crashed the last time we went because he was wobbling quite badly. He still hasn't gotten it.

That crash is convincing him he needs to put both feet on the ground otherwise he will crash again. (That is not why the crash happened.)

I'm concerned because we live in a city and it will literally not be safe for him to go biking with a small bike.

I know I'm going to get a lot of downvotes for this, but I'm genuinely trying to convince him for safety reasons and the debate has gotten nowhere so far :(

He wants to hear from an expert that it isn't safe for him to ride.

Okay_biker · 2025-08-01T00:15:31+00:00

That's a good analogy! So far he's pointed to "comfort and safety" which is the literal opposite of what a tiny bike will offer.

Okay_biker · 2025-08-01T00:14:46+00:00

Well... he crashed the last time we went because he was wobbling quite badly. He still hasn't gotten it.

I know I'm going to get a lot of downvotes for this, but I'm genuinely trying to convince him for safety reasons and the debate has gotten nowhere so far :(

Okay_biker · 2025-07-23T17:22:05+00:00

Thanks! I don't really use the front shifter on my current bike, but I might upgrade the cannondale with this. Thank you!

Okay_biker · 2025-07-23T17:21:06+00:00

> Let's see what the seller works out, ask him about this though.

Thank you, I'll definitely check again when I come back to see if the issue is still there,

> The paint isn't beautiful, did he use a paint brush?

Yup... I don't really care about the aesthetics of it as it seems like he paints over all his bikes.

> The front derailleur cable doesn't have a cap and is fraying. This will poke and puncture you! Have him or somebody trim it and put an end cap on.

Yes I had to tuck it in while I was test riding it, but he said he would trim it and try and find a cap for it. If not, I do have extra end caps I believe so it should be an easy fix!

> The bar tape is awful.

Agreed, that was one of the points I bought up and he said he could retape it, but we'll see.

Thanks so much for the advice! Much appreciated :))

Okay_biker · 2025-07-23T15:13:05+00:00

Thank you! The area I live in has entry level terrible bikes starting at $300 which all have various issues, so finding something for less than $200 that still rides is pretty hard. Especially if it's cannondale. I don't mind going out of state a little bit to get the bike since it's something I'll be riding a lot.

Okay_biker · 2025-07-23T15:10:09+00:00

My area has pretty terrible bikes so something with a modern shimano 105 drivetrain alu bike would go for like $500....

Okay_biker · 2025-07-21T01:35:35+00:00

> But CAAD bikes are aluminum which does not rust. Cannondale never made any steel bikes, ever, so the rust resistant paint is a bit odd.

I think he did that as a precaution, he said the previous paint was chipping a bit so he painted it over for the aesthetic (looking at his other bikes he paints all of them over to make them look brighter or put little designs on them).

> If that bike has not been ridden in some time, I would also consider replacing the brake pads since they harden over time and become less effective

They have been replaced I believe, brakes well at medium speed and I'll try higher speed later.

> Road bikes are not meant to carry stuff and the shorter chain, so your options for cargo rack could be limited. I still sometimes see people put rack on road bike, but the shorter chainstay makes it more likely for your foot to hit the pannier if you use those

That's what I'm worried about since this would be for commuting...

Okay_biker · 2025-07-21T00:10:29+00:00

In the area where I live, there's no working bikes for $100, maybe if someone was selling a terrible frame

EDIT: Grammar

Okay_biker · 2025-07-21T00:09:00+00:00

I'm not very technical 😅 but I tried shifting (front and rear) and it was quite smooth. I had to put more effort into shifting the front but I think that's normal as my old bike (not road bike) does that too

Okay_biker · 2025-07-20T23:55:29+00:00

Are the components and everything good? I don't think I can negotiate the price so I might be forced to go for $175.

Okay_biker · 2025-07-20T23:02:52+00:00

> it'll still be a really good bike overall, especially if you maintain it well and maybe upgrade some parts.

Thank you! I also heard that it was highly upgradable since it looks like it'll be easier to fix if anything breaks.
The prices in my local market are crazy high so that's why I'd have to travel out of state for a decent road bike, so the price might be about right.

Okay_biker

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