PeregrineA1 

Not much to add to what has already been said other than there seem to be vintage Trek's that pop up for good prices with a fair degree of regularity. Usually in the $100-150 range which leaves money for cables, tires, grease, etc.. No money for labor, so you need to learn or know bicycle mechanics-which is pretty simple.

if you are looking for a 57-58 I may be able to help when I return from vacation on 7-19. Jeff b Wms at gee mail dot com.

Camplex

I find it really difficult to find any deals in my area, as its a very bike-friendly metro with a lot of young people vying for good-looking, capable bikes at low prices. Add to that any potential local prejudice for or against a certain style of bike, vintage or urban-fixie or what have you, and it can get frustratingly competitive.

I have missed about a half-dozen good opportunities in the past month due to for some reason not being aggressive or quick enough ... in one case, the seller texted me as I was on my way to meet him over an hour away, to purchase a Motobecane Grand Jubilee for 150. I couldn't sleep that night...

Any connections made... through a forum like this, with a guy at the hardware store with the old untouched bike, or whomever, are really priceless. I have yet to make such connections unfortunately.... :-( But always looking for a deal and they are out there. Portland PD sells bikes through Govdeals.com, for example. Also, I like to search Craigslist specifically for "projects," which many might pass-over. Often times, these just require a modicum of work/time to complete and you can add a bit of your own spin/style too.

Anyone have a Grand Jubilee for sale?

thumpism 

Unfortunately, when dealing with the CL sellers you are at their mercy. Even if you're the first caller and have the cash, if you have to travel for the deal the seller is just as likely to give the nod to the bum next door simply because it is quicker and easier. I was fortunate enough to have a seller who held onto the bike for me until the next night (his delay, not mine) and despite a flurry of interest after my call. Karma just happens sometimes. You won't believe your good luck when it does.

wrk101

+10 Craigs List is the wild, wild west. Sellers can and some will screw you on a deal. And there are plenty of flaky buyers to go around too. The "best" solution is to move fast, almost to the point of being rude. I had one bike that was a super hot deal. Seller responded at 9PM. I told him since he was up, did he mind if I came now? I kind of gently pressed, and he agreed. When I picked it up, he then admitted he had a line of people to come look at it in the morning.....

If you are going to buy on a public forum like C/L, the best deals are the ones with either no pictures, or crap pictures, little to no description, etc. You have to take a chance on some of those, realizing sometimes it will be a waste of time.

Camplex

+1 .. Absolutely.... case-in-point; this weekend I spotted a deal and called on it. The guy said he had another guy coming to look at the bike and he'd take my info and call me back if the guy didn't want it. I passed along my info and hung up reluctantly. When my wife asks a few moments later what happened with the bike and I tell her, she immediately asks me for the number and says it upsets her, that it isn't right.. well, I don't know what is right in this situation but two hours later I had that Peugeot Super Competition in our car. And that seller had to call several folks and tell them it was sold from under them. And to think that I was the same type of victim just weeks earlier, woe be the man that stands up to this cobbled web of a system!

curbtender

deersmi get a bike?

deersmi

Yes, I have! I recently bought a Bianchi Eros (still clueless on the model year) for $275. I will be posting pictures soon

MiloFrance

mtnbke

Can't argue with that. A Land Shark worked out for Andy Hampsten after his Serotta frames kept breaking on him, helped him in that little ol' race they run in Italy every year too:

Historic Pro Bike: Andy Hampsten's 1988 7-Eleven Huffy Giro d'Italia | Cyclingnews.com

randyjawa 

I find that finding vintage bicycles is easy, provided you are willing to do some work. This is How To Find Vintage Bicycles and I can, on demand, find one (or several) any day of the week.

deersmi

Tomorrow for sure when the sun is shining!

deersmi

Link to my bike pictures: https://www.flickr.com/photos/135136...57657663390038
I apologize if the pictures don't capture the parts of the bike you'd wish to see.

Clang

Somehow I got the impression you required a larger frame. How tall are you and how do you like the bike?

gugie 

Nice score! Well you did, young padawan.

deersmi

I am 5'10 and like the bikes. It feels like a good fit to me; I am able to reach the drop with comfort. Saddle height might need to be raised slightly once I get the seized seat post moving again.

EllDC

It's a nice looking bike! You may find that you'll need to alter the handlebar reach a little bit too if you're going to raise the seatpost, because that will increase the amount of reach.