From: <Carb7008@cs.com>
> Either old age or too many bikes has me stumped. I know of a Pro Mark V
for
> sale at $250. It is all there except the wheels and condition is fair
with
> original paint and decals. Trouble is it 1 inch larger than my ideal size
and
> having so many bikes already I hesitate to buy. What would you do?
A couple things to think about. Th Mark V doesn't have the fastback stays which distinguish the earlier Pros. If paint is fair how is chrome? Is this to be a rider or collectible? A re-paint is one thing, rechroming is a whole nother thing. $250 and no wheels means more $$ if you want correct wheels for it. (unless you already have them) If it has all the other parts, are the bars 38cm wide and will you have to get another bar so you can ride the thing? I like correct parts within reason. I don't like that Raleigh stuck a GB bar in 3TTT stem when it didn't really fit right. My Pro has a 3TTT bar and stem; not dead on correct but looks good, they match each other which makes more sense to me. By ideal size, do you mean your real ideal size or the undersized frames the bike shops generally send people out on these days? If it doesn't fit wait for another to come along, there seem to be a few floating around ebay any given week and the on the list occasionally. my 2 cents.
Pete Geurds
Douglassville, Pa