I'm fairly new to cycling and know little about bikes in general. I have a comfort hybrid that I use for commuting and riding around. I love it but it is quite heavy and I haven't even added any racks or anything to it yet, so I'm looking for a slightly lighter, sportier bike. I am on a tight budget so was looking for a decent older bike that is ride-able and that I can work on/upgrade/invest in over time. Unfortunately, I just missed out on a 1983 Fuji America...
There is a 1983 Raleigh Super Course for sale nearby, all original, in very good shape, as far as I an tell. The owner says it was recently tuned up, new tires, etc. and by the looks of it, he's not lying about that part. Is this a decent bike for what I say here? They are looking for $150-200 (I think) or best offer. Any thoughts? Any help is greatly appreciated!
The Super Course is a really nice bike. I own a 1986 Super Course that is in mint original condition. It is the bike in the photo that I use as my avatar.
The Raleigh Super Course is not a modern bicycle by any stretch of the imagination. It has an aluminum frame that often gives a harsh ride if you are riding on poorly maintained streets or gravel roads. It has racier geometry than modern bikes of its caliber which contributes to a bit of instability until you are used to riding it. Keeping it original can get very expensive as the parts that OEM parts that are on it have been discontinued by the manufacturers and when they do appear on eBay, the price tends get driven up pretty high by collectors. Other than this, it is definately worth $150. If you take care of it, it would be a bike worth having if just for the historical value. But for practical purposes, it cannot compete with modern bikes for comfort, low weight, and ergonomics.
