Living Car Free - Rescue a neglected bike

We rescue pound puppies and injured wildlife, why not rescue abused and neglected bicycles? They take up valuable space, and it's a shame to see a nice bike that's unused and unloved.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/06/nyregion/restoring-bikes-and-coveted-storage-space.html

I have volunteered repairing bikes here:

http://bikesiliconvalley.org/bikeex

Thanks for reminding me that I need to be more diligent about helping out.

Recycling bikes is what most bike co-ops do every day of the week.

If a bicycle is beyond repair, the usable parts get taken off and reused while the frame will go to scrap.

It really is a shame to see a bicycle kept years in a basement. They really want to break out into daylight.

Recycling bikes is what most bike co-ops do every day of the week.

If a bicycle is beyond repair, the usable parts get taken off and reused while the frame will go to scrap.

It really is a shame to see a bicycle kept years in a basement. They really want to break out into daylight.

Yeah, everybody who lives in an apartment building should see if they can liberate some bikes. There must be some kind of salvage law that would apply to getting these bikes back in circulation.

We rescue pound puppies and injured wildlife, why not rescue abused and neglected bicycles? They take up valuable space, and it's a shame to see a nice bike that's unused and unloved.

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/06/nyregion/restoring-bikes-and-coveted-storage-space.html

While I give full respect for what RecycleaBike is doing, they want alot of money for their bikes! You'll notice they no longer post pictures of their $350.00 dollar Panasonic 10 speeds from the 80's or the $450.00 Univega MTB. When you want that kind of money for a used bike, it makes more sense to just go to the LBS and buy new.

While I give full respect for what RecycleaBike is doing, they want alot of money for their bikes! You'll notice they no longer post pictures of their $350.00 dollar Panasonic 10 speeds from the 80's or the $450.00 Univega MTB. When you want that kind of money for a used bike, it makes more sense to just go to the LBS and buy new.

Around here these would be exorbitant prices for used bikes--even if refurbished with good components. Maybe prices are generally higher in NYC?

While I give full respect for what RecycleaBike is doing, they want alot of money for their bikes! You'll notice they no longer post pictures of their $350.00 dollar Panasonic 10 speeds from the 80's or the $450.00 Univega MTB. When you want that kind of money for a used bike, it makes more sense to just go to the LBS and buy new.


Around here these would be exorbitant prices for used bikes--even if refurbished with good components. Maybe prices are generally higher in NYC?

Prices are no doubt higher in NYC, but used bike prices have risen dramatically in the last 5 years. Everywhere. Reason is that quite often you can have a nice bike for pretty minimal $$$.

The value is there. I have a couple of pretty nice older bikes that didn't cost as much as even a decent LBS hybrid and are quite a bit nicer to ride.

If people want to buy at those higher prices, it's a lot better than having a bunch of perfectly useful bikes getting tossed in a dumpster.

Prices are no doubt higher in NYC, but used bike prices have risen dramatically in the last 5 years. Everywhere. Reason is that quite often you can have a nice bike for pretty minimal $$$.

The value is there. I have a couple of pretty nice older bikes that didn't cost as much as even a decent LBS hybrid and are quite a bit nicer to ride.

If people want to buy at those higher prices, it's a lot better than having a bunch of perfectly useful bikes getting tossed in a dumpster.

Yeah, in my area the price of used bikes has pretty much doubled in the last 6 or 7 years. Like you say, they can still be a great value.

Some people flip bikes. That is, they buy neglected bikes, fix them up, and resell them for more money. I wonder if somebody could actually make a living doing that?

Yeah, in my area the price of used bikes has pretty much doubled in the last 6 or 7 years. Like you say, they can still be a great value.

Some people flip bikes. That is, they buy neglected bikes, fix them up, and resell them for more money. I wonder if somebody could actually make a living doing that?

Yes. I know of two bike shops that got their start by flipping, one still does mostly used flip type bikes the other has branched out into new bikes as well, but still does a decent business in the used stuff.

Aaron :)

I've rescued several.

My Hard Rock spent years neglected in a garage, as did my Kabuki Syd. I've got an old Murray one speed that's waiting for wheels, though I think I'm going to forward it to Recycle Bikes for Kids (https://www.facebook.com/recyclebikesforkids).

Also I think it's important that a couple of my bikes have had major component replacements rather than buy a new bike. I think my American Eagle/Nishiki has had 3 such overhauls.

Also I think it's important that a couple of my bikes have had major component replacements rather than buy a new bike. I think my American Eagle/Nishiki has had 3 such overhauls.

Unlike cars, you can keep a steel frame bike going for 100 years if you maintain and upgrade it. Not sure about aluminum... but it might also last a while.

I have a 1972 Fuji Special Road Racer that I am fixing up. I really haven't replaced many components, although the bike was used quite a bit. I'm pretty sure it hasn't passed its half life yet.

I just "rescued" another neglected bike. The prices around here has quadrupled since I last bought a similar conditioned older bike about a decade ago. This one is intended for utility purposes; hauling groceries from the store. It is rather dirty right now, but begging for a second chance.

I've rescued several.

My Hard Rock spent years neglected in a garage, as did my Kabuki Syd. I've got an old Murray one speed that's waiting for wheels, though I think I'm going to forward it to Recycle Bikes for Kids (https://www.facebook.com/recyclebikesforkids).


This is a great place for old bikes. We have a program here where kids are given bikes, but the condition is that they have to fix the bike themselves. They work one on one with an adult mentor (volunteer) who helps them fix the bike. This benefits the kids, obviously, but the adult mentors also learn how to fix bikes. I think some of the participants--both trainers and trainees--were homeless people who are dependent on bikes for transportation. They also got to fix and keep bikes, along with the kids they were helping. This is a beautiful program, run by a really great elder citizen--everybody calls him Granddad--who happens to be the father of a guy I work with.

I just "rescued" another neglected bike.
I always seem to have a bike or two that someone drops off. Where do you gets yours?

I always seem to have a bike or two that someone drops off. Where do you gets yours?

I got my Fuji road bike when somebody stole my Giant MTB and left the Fuji behind. I actually got the better deal on that "swap"! :D

I got my Fuji road bike when somebody stole my Giant MTB and left the Fuji behind. I actually got the better deal on that "swap"! :D

The people downstairs just moved out and left behind a road bike that looks promising. I'll give them a couple more days to reclaim it before I take it over.

The people downstairs just moved out and left behind a road bike that looks promising. I'll give them a couple more days to reclaim it before I take it over.

You should bring it indoors so it doesn't get wet. ;)

I always seem to have a bike or two that someone drops off. Where do you gets yours?

From my local Craigslist.

People bring them to me, or I buy bikes that catch my interest. I just bought two odd folders, not sure what will happen to them. The last two free bikes that I got are being rehabbed and going out to my adult children. My son is paying for the most of the parts on his build, he is basically getting a semi custom built city bike that will be used in the Boston area. DD is getting a road bike to play with, low end, old school but that is what she wants for now. She has the Staiger, which is a German Trekking bike and she has already had to overhaul it once because of the amount of use it gets.

Aaron :)

People bring them to me, or I buy bikes that catch my interest.

I find if I stay off the C&V forum, I don't have much interest in buying bikes. I really have more than I need right now, but occasionally orphans arrive. I try to fix them up a bit and donate them to the bike co-op.

I live in a duplex. The family downstairs just got evicted and left behind a steel frame road bike. Everything looks good on it except the tires, so I guess I just adopted another bike.

I have an ethical problem, however. I'm very suspicious that the former neighbor stole that bike. Is it wrong to adopt a bike that you are pretty sure is stolen?

I live in a duplex. The family downstairs just got evicted and left behind a steel frame road bike. Everything looks good on it except the tires, so I guess I just adopted another bike.

I have an ethical problem, however. I'm very suspicious that the former neighbor stole that bike. Is it wrong to adopt a bike that you are pretty sure is stolen?

Whether they stole the bike or not, it is now likely the legal property of the owner of the duplex (though this can vary with jurisdiction). So your "adoption" is likely technically stealing. Now the land lord would likely sell it to you for a good price, and you both can check with the police to see if it has been reported stolen.

Whether they stole the bike or not, it is now likely the legal property of the owner of the duplex (though this can vary with jurisdiction). So your "adoption" is likely technically stealing. Now the land lord would likely sell it to you for a good price, and you both can check with the police to see if it has been reported stolen.

Is it a nice bike? A Colnago? Maybe I should be consulted here :)

If it's an older steel bike, I'd tell the landlord I'd take care of disposing of it. Offer to do him a favor. You could then contact the police if you wish.