Elvish Legion

Generally how much does a bike at good will run? I'm looking for a commuter that I can either convert to fixie or just use off the floor, but I don't want to have to spend an arm and a leg for one.

Elvish

worker4youth

Depends on the model, year, condition, of course. Try your LBS, or craigslist.org too. Should be able to get something decent for a decent price. Make sure it wasn't stolen though.

Elvish Legion

Thats the problem, LBS doesn't really deal in any used goods, the few they do run for around 800 or so... I can pick up a brand new fixie for 400 or so...
thanks to sales

Elvish

ollo_ollo

Our local GoodWill has tons of junk bikes with a few gems occaisionally showing up. I have bought some good mid range road bikes from the 70s-80s years for as little as $9.95 if they were dirty & had flat tires (nearly all road bike tires will go flat over time). If you know what you are looking for & have a pump for the tires, you can eventually find a bargain commuter bike.

MMACH 5

Just like at Goodwill, pawnshops will sometimes have a diamond in with the poo-poo bikes, (paraphrasing Emmitt Smith).

DiegoFrogs

I've found everything to be a bit overpriced at pawn shops. A local pawn shop was selling a World Sport identical in age and size to the one I currently ride for $180, but someone had spraypainted it without even removing the components or masking it.

I've been meaning to check the salvation army and yard sales all the time, but haven't had any luck. It's not like anyone else around here is buying them!

sweeny

I've gotten all of my Goodwill bikes for $6.99.

Kabloink

I have seen well worn used Wally World MTBs that orginally cost around $70 at pawn shops for $50. They are the used car salesmen of the bicycle world.

mmerner

Good Will by me sells them for $20. sometimes $30.

ofofhy

I read this real fast and thought sydney was in a good mood.

Roody

Pawn shops have great deals on great bikes in the winter. They will knock 10-25% off the bikes because they take up a lot of room. Goodwill bikes suck.

Ask your friends and relatives. A lot of people have like-new bikes hanging in the garage that they will even give away. Or hang up a sign at work:

"I can provide a good home for your lonely old bike. Free and cheap considered first. I really need one!"

Elvish Legion

Problem is I need a road bike frame so I can convert to a fixie, goodwill would be good for that

Elvish

supcom

I commute daily on one of two thrift store bikes. One is converted to fixed gear. If you are patient and visit the thrift stores often, some gems show up. It's hit or miss though, so you need to make the rounds once a week.

Go on saturday afternoon so you can hopefully get first crack at new stuff dropped off that morning. Monday morning might even be better if you don't have to go to work.

ollo_ollo

Actually most of my GW finds occurred on Wednesday or Thursday mornings & was there at 9AM when they opened (Our GW restocks overnight).

Poguemahone

"Goodwill bikes suck."

Thanks for filling me in. Here are my current Goodwill rides:
1991 Bridgestone RB2 (40$, unridden till I got it)
1973 Peugeot UO8 (converted to beater fixie, 5$)
1967 Vello Kombi Spesial (Euro work bike, 5$)
1986 Panasonic Touring Deluxe (35$)

That doesn't include the ones I've resold, like a Schwinn Paramount, a Trek 412, and couple of mid level Bianchis, plus the bikes I've bought for five bucks for a perfectly good Brooks saddle or something else. And that's just Goodwill. While most Goodwill bikes do suck, there is gold amoungst the dross. Just requires patience.

Like supcom says, very hit or miss, and mostly miss.

Raiyn

Not always the case. I've seen some real gems. You have to know what thrift stores to hit

phidauex

Plot out all the thrift stores in your city on a map, then go to the ones located in what you know to be 'rich' areas of town. You know the kind, crisp green lawns, old white people all over the place, fancy cars, etc. The thrift stores nearest those areas are the most likely to carry higher end bikes. Rich people buy nice bikes, and let them sit in the garage for 22 years, then take them to the nearest goodwill. Poor people buy crappy bikes, let them sit in the garage for 22 years, then take them to the nearest goodwill.

Then find out when they get new stock from the warehouse, and show up those days. Make it a date, just show up, browse around, and then leave empty handed, or with a nice bike! Some days I show up at my local thrifts, and there is nothing but a pile of Huffy 16" pixie bikes. But then you show up and there is a 10$ Raliegh Grand Prix Mixte in pristine blue looking up at you like a lost puppy who needs a home.

peace,
sam

Roody

So sorry. I should have said, "Goodwill bikes in Lansing, MI suck. As do Salvation Army and St. Vincent bikes in Lansing, MI. I do hit thrift stores often and at various times of the week, but only in Lansing, MI.

Pawn shops in Lansing, MI often carry cherry bikes that have had some maintenence and have a 30 day guarantee.

Raiyn

This is how I approach it. On a side note: I tend to find brand new clothing items with the tags STILL on them at some of these "better" thrift stores.