Nole302

Hey guys,

Reached an email deal this morning with this https://auburn.craigslist.org/bik/2926323581.html

Going to pick it up after work. What do you think? I'm not buying for it's value - I know it's a Huffy. I've been shopping for a Mixte bike with fenders, chain guard, 3spd for a chill ride and also a bike my girlfriend can use. This one also has the speedometer, which IMO is super cool, though I wouldn't ever break 15mph on this bike, because that's not the point!

I have a spare 26" wheel for the front but will need to get a tire. Pending any major issues upon inspection it shall be mine. Anything in particular to be on the look out for? My mine concern is the function of the 3 spd hub - aren't those pretty expensive to replace? On a pretty tight budget...

Mos6502

Well for one, it's not a Mixte. For two they're asking at least twice as much as it is worth. For three you can buy used, working 3 speed hubs all day long off of ebay for next to nothing, so I wouldn't worry about that.

Told by who? Somebody in their opium dreams? The first thing I would throw away on that bike would be that awful seat. They're worth less than nothing. Heck here's ten on ebay for $9: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Huge-Wholese...#ht_1533wt_952

Also: the speedometer is useless without the front wheel - which uh, has the drive gear that runs the speedometer.

That being said, if I had a front wheel that fit, and I wanted a bike for my GF, I'd probably still be willing to pay $25-$30 for it.

Kobe 

Four, the seat alone is worth 2 bucks.

Nole302

Sorry, not a Mixte, duh. Just a step over frame is what I meant. Thanks for the other comments, very, very helpful.

BigPolishJimmy

It IS an "incredible fixer-upper" If you were close I'd give you one in similar shape for free which is about how much that's worth. er, scrap metal weight value. If it was in complete working condition I'd give what they're asking, but only if my wife or girlfriend really really really wanted it and was pestering me for it.

KonAaron Snake 

What's it worth? I wouldn't take it home for free.

I hate the term vintage. Just because it's old doesn't make it worth anything or valuable in and of itself.

IthaDan 

Find a front wheel and take it on beer runs. It looks cool and who cares if it gets stolen. Meet the guy with a $50 bill in your pocket and don't budge from that price. Screw the haters, there are so many grumbling old fogies on here who don't see basic A -> B utility unless it has some über collectible name.

Do huffys roll? Can you pedal them? Is any bike with fenders that can do both of those worth $50? yes, yes and yes.

20grit

I wouldn't do it. In one, working piece, it could make a serviceable transport bike. It's not in that shape, and isn't really going to be worth it monetarily or in any personal value to make it be in that shape.

You'll find better riding, better built bikes in that price range.

Homebrew01

Yes, it will get you from here to there, but $50 is still too high. I got 2 nice hybrids with index shifting, aluminum wheels w/ quick release for $30 each last year. I'd much rather ride them.
They were on Ebay, but local to me so no shipping costs.

lostarchitect 

I would take this home only if I had a matching front wheel lying around, and if the bike was free or less than $25, AND if the hub worked properly. It's true that you can replace the hub, but it's a hassle--do you really want to rebuild a wheel for this bike?

I would NOT pay $50 for it as IthaDan suggests. It's not worth that, even here in NYC which is one of the most expensive markets in the country.

cycleheimer

Get her something decent. The frames on those bikes are poorly made, as are the wheels (if you had them..well, you're getting one of them) and ferrous metal at the scrap yard ain't worth diddley. Copper, brass and aluminum are. Don't pull the trigger, put the gun down, and keep lookin'. You would probably be better with a brand-new bike if you can't find a decent C&V bike in good shape in your area.

randyjawa 

Most of the value related comments are, pretty much, on the money, in my opinion. However..

Any old bike can appeal to any person for their reasons. To me, the Huffy offered here would be of little or no value. However, my reasons for wanting to own and ride the bicycle might not match the OP's. Case in point...

Two years ago, at our annual Bicycles for Humanity/Lakehead University Vintage Bicycle Yard Sale, a young woman surprised, and taught, me an important lesson, The lesson? A bicycle purchase is not always about the bike! Or the ride quality! Or the flipping value. It can be about the ego. My guess that none of us are impervious to the intervention of ego, now and again, with certain bicycle accomplishments and/or acquisitions.

The young woman in question, fell in love with an entry level Simpson Sears Free Spirit Ten Speed. "Free Spirit!", she all but exclaimed, to the volunteer showing her the bike. "That's me!". And she bought the bicycle for $70.00 plus a $5.00 donation to B4H.

The Free Spirit bike is the blue one sitting in the stand, and the Free Spirit young lady is not the one in the picture...

Rocket-Sauce 

I agree with everyone above about that bike. I looked very briefly at your local CL and it looks like nice bikes are few and far between. Don't let that make you jump on the first thing that comes around. Be patient and ready to jump when something pops up.

With that said, there is another step through bike listed right after that Huffy that is a little more worthy of being rescued. It is a Schwinn World Sport, which is still not a top end bike, but its frame is a lot nicer. And it is red , which everyone knows is faster.

https://auburn.craigslist.org/bik/2926330829.html Talk the seller down to $30-35 by pointing out the missing rear brake + lever. You can get it in great running condition for well under $100.

Mos6502

Unfortunately as I discovered when I lived in Georgia, bicycle don't exist in the south, and also people don't understand the complexities of posting ads on craigslist apparently, which compounds the problem.

You might try combing through listing on nearby cities. Atlanta is loaded with bikes I know, but that may be a long long drive.

bent-not-broken

Sorry I must agree.

Nole302

Thanks again guys. This is why I posted here first, to make sure I wasn't throwing away money. I backed off my initial offer (which wasn't the full), and told her to let me know if she has a hard time selling - maybe I would still be interested. Really just looking for cheap functionality. I was tempted by the locality because as someone mentioned the pickings are very scant here.

noglider 

It was a crappy bike when they made it. Now it's beat up and needs work to bring it back to being a crappy bike.

bikemore 

I have to agree with the majority here. If you got a complete bike for that price and were happy with the ride - great. But an incomplete bike just a lot of work for not much value (I am
talking about the quality of the bike, not the money). I keep picking up Columbias and Huffys for free and end up giving them away unfinished because it is just a pain in the butt to work on them.
One of these days I will learn my lesson and just say call the junk man.

Where money comes in is that you should be able to find a working bike for about the same amount of money that you would spend trying to get this one up and working.

Mos6502

Bikemore send me those Columbias, especially if you find a green Roadster. ;D (I've been looking for a Roadster in green for over five years now. Seems everybody else can find them, but somehow never me.)

wrk101

+1 Old + turd = old turd.

Full disclosure, my first bike restoration/rehab was on an old turd. And sure enough, when I finished (after putting serious money into it and a lot of time), I ended up with a really shiny old turd. Since then, I have limited my time and $$ to decent or better bikes. As far as pickings being slim in GA, some of my best finds of all time have been in GA.

jon c. 

I see you're in Auburn, so I'd suggest that there should start to be a lot more CL listings (and listings in other local sources) very shortly as the end of the semester is nearly here and a lot of graduating students need to sell their bikes before they embark on their life's journey.

(What a Nole is doing in Auburn I don't know ..... there are a lot of good bikes for sale in Tallahassee :-)

bikemore 

Anyone interested in a English Triumph? Blue three speed, I think ladies. Been filling up my storage for two years. I think a nicer bike then what OP listed. First dibs to OP, but after that anybody can
have it for cost of shipping. Shipping will probably be $60. Right now it is without brakes, I don't know if the shifting works. Looks pretty good, some paint chips. Some minor rust. Not on the top
of my list of bikes to give away, but it is going to take me too long to get to it.

wrk101

Triumph was a reasonably decent three speed. OP should take up this generous offer.

sailorbenjamin

Check the dropout alignment on that front fork. I had a near mint Huffy once that was missing the front wheel. Turns out the dropouts were cut wrong and no wheel would fit.
Did a quick sawzall adjustment and rode that bike all summer. Sold it for $50 or so. Wish I'd kept the chrome friction thumb shifters when I did.
That looks like a Shimano 333 hub. I don't know anything about them but people seem to like the Sturmey Archer hubs better.
That Triumph will have the SA hub. It'll make you happy. Read this;
https://sheldonbrown.com/english-3.html

cycleheimer

A brand-new Wal-Mart bike like this ... Schwinn Admiral 700cc Ladies' Bike ... https://www.walmart.com/ip/Schwinn-Ad...ndingMethod=rr ... for $159 would be a better deal than that Huffy, or maybe even a brand-new bike from Target. Can't get worse quality wise, and you will be getting all the parts and new tires, tubes, brake pads and cables in the deal.


This...




Better than this... IMHO....