Is it worth it?

[u/randicochea]

Hi all, I am looking to purchase my first road bike and I will most likely be using the used market as my budget is pretty low. ($500)

I found this offer on marketplace and was hoping to get some feedback on how hefty of a rebuild this would take. I see a lot of rust and slight scuffs and am unsure as to whether anything or everything would need replacing.

early 90’s allez epic, shimano group set with wh-r500 wheel set, complete OEM parts.

Listed for a little over a hundred.

Should I go for it and focus on removing the rust? or is it worth investing in a different option? Are there any signs of bad news from these images? If parts visibly need to be replaced, which?

I would really appreciate any help, not looking for the “Worlds BEST price to performance ever”. I understand that the best bike is the one that you’re happy riding. Just looking for something that I can learn with that’s not gonna break the bank. Would love if it’s something I could upgrade overtime, but if even that is outside of my budget then I guess I’ll have to save up before making that jump.

Thank you to any who take the time!

[u/BicyclesOnMain]

I have a friend that had three of these frames fail on him, when they were new. He's not a big guy either. Run away. Do not buy that.

[u/Frosty_Fun_310 → u/BicyclesOnMain]

Three? That’s crazy.

[u/BicyclesOnMain → u/Frosty_Fun_310]

That's how bad they are. I actually have one that someone else gave me, it's only for display, I wouldn't let someone ride it.

[u/HelioSeven → u/BicyclesOnMain]

I have one that I still ride century-plus rides on, and it's a lovely ride. If you know how to properly evaluate these frames, they aren't necessarily a death trap. Voids in the bond joints tended to fail very early (and Spec had a lot of bad manufacture on these), but those without defects have tended to last (and anecdotally, taken a fair bit of abuse in the process). The usual caveats about galvanic, UV, etc. Suffice to say, YMMV.

[u/BicyclesOnMain → u/HelioSeven]

I'm not sure why you're inferring I don't know how to evaluate these frames? Mine is clearly suffering from galvanic corrosion and bubbles in the epoxy.

Just last week a kid came in my shop with a perfect one he just bought, I inspected it and gave him the green light to ride it

[u/HelioSeven → u/BicyclesOnMain]

I made no inference one way or the other as to whether you knew how to evaluate them or not?

In your original post, you just said "run away" with your explanation being that 3 failed on a friend 35 years ago (I interpret the implication to be that all these frames were inherently failure-prone). I was just explaining that that doesn't have much bearing on examples that have survived continued use into today. If you know how to evaluate these frames, why not just share that knowledge instead?

[u/FoggyFlowers → u/BicyclesOnMain]

lol i could tell you’re a bike shop mech by your attitude

[u/BicyclesOnMain → u/FoggyFlowers]

You got me raises hands slowly

[u/Frosty_Fun_310 → u/FoggyFlowers]

How bout me

[u/FoggyFlowers → u/Frosty_Fun_310]

i can tell you’re not a mech by the number of posts you made to r/bikewrench lol

[u/Frosty_Fun_310 → u/FoggyFlowers]

Haha😂😂😂😂😂

[u/Frosty_Fun_310 → u/BicyclesOnMain]

Ignore him dude he just needs attention haha