Cheap Bay Area Junkers?

[Takara]

I'm new to the Bay Area, and am still wrapping my head around the amazingly high prices for junk bicycles at thrift shops, yard sales, Craigslist, etc. These are frequently priced above the price of buying an equivalent bike new at Walmart. And there seems to be far fewer of them, too.

It's nice to be in a part of the country that values bikes! But it's also nice to be able to pick up a rusty old bike for $10 or $15 to grab some parts off of it.

Are there flea markets or swaps or something happening out here where all the unloved and wounded bicycles go?

[UmneyDurak]

I'm new to the Bay Area, and am still wrapping my head around the amazingly high prices for junk bicycles at thrift shops, yard sales, Craigslist, etc. These are frequently priced above the price of buying an equivalent bike new at Walmart. And there seems to be far fewer of them, too.

It's nice to be in a part of the country that values bikes! But it's also nice to be able to pick up a rusty old bike for $10 or $15 to grab some parts off of it.

Are there flea markets or swaps or something happening out here where all the unloved and wounded bicycles go?

Then again those junkers will probably outlast wally world stuff.

[BenRidin]

Karim Cycle on Telegraph in Berzerkely (2800 Telegraph Ave, Berkeley, Ca 94705)
510.841.2181

He's got a lot of junkers! And, he's a nice guy too.

BR

[steelblue]

There is a flea market by the Oakland Coliseum you may want to check.

[mayukawa]

Check out the university police auctions at the end of each academic year. They usually have a lot of abandoned bikes that they auction off for very cheap prices.

[veganboyjosh]

try the bike kitchen. (http://www.bikekitchen.org/) awesome kids, those.

[UmneyDurak]

Karim Cycle on Telegraph in Berzerkely (2800 Telegraph Ave, Berkeley, Ca 94705)
510.841.2181

He's got a lot of junkers! And, he's a nice guy too.

BR
Wasn't he raided by police couple years ago on suspicion of buying and re-selling stolen bikes? I believe few bikes that were recovered were stolen.

[BenRidin]

Wasn't he raided by police couple years ago on suspicion of buying and re-selling stolen bikes? I believe few bikes that were recovered were stolen.

Yes he was. However, he was completely innocent and received an apology from the city and a cash settlement for the damage to the bike shop from the Police Raid.

Click Here to view. (http://www.teamkarim.com/bikes/used/)

[rydaddy]

I've heard of Karim only because of the Craigslist nazi's that flag all of his posts. I can't stand the "community" of CL'ers. :crash:

[Takara]

OK, excellent -- great leads! My almost-mobile bicycles may have found their plucky donors. Thanks!

[shatdow]

I recommend against Karim's. I lived just around the corner from that place and do not like their business practices. Even if the bikes are legit, they're overpriced and just piled high inside the shop. He gets flagged on CL because he's a business listing in the private for sale ads, and he tries to hide that fact with misleading ads.

As far as where to get a deal on bikes, I'd love to find that out too! Prices are inflated there, and a lot of bikes on CL are flippers. I think it just takes extra vigilance to get a good deal.

[LanceMach]

There's also a flea market in Concord at the drive-in on Solano Way right off Highway 4 every weekend. Not sure if there are any bikes, but just FYI...

Anyone here remember actually GOING to a drive-in? I do!

[rydaddy]

I recommend against Karim's. I lived just around the corner from that place and do not like their business practices. Even if the bikes are legit, they're overpriced and just piled high inside the shop. He gets flagged on CL because he's a business listing in the private for sale ads, and he tries to hide that fact with misleading ads.

As far as where to get a deal on bikes, I'd love to find that out too! Prices are inflated there, and a lot of bikes on CL are flippers. I think it just takes extra vigilance to get a good deal.



I just think it's funny that real estate agents, for example, can list million dollar homes on CL but this guy can't list some bikes. It's hilarious that people waste so much time replying and flagging his posts. :cry:

PS - the Sac CL has businesses listing bikes all the time.