Any Giant FCR 3 owners?
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Any Giant FCR 3 owners?
My primary LBS rents bikes- mtb's, hybrids, tandems, and a couple of kiddie trailers by the hour, day, or as long as you are willing to pay. When I bought my current bike back in '08, the hybrids were mainly Kona Smokes and a couple of either Giant Sedona or Cyprus mixed in. My Kona was never in the rental fleet, though it had been sitting on his sales floor for 2 years.
That fleet of Konas has been replaced by the Giant FCR 3. I know that he's getting close to trading out the fleet again, and am considering making him an offer- with a twist: I put a deposit down, while he keeps renting it out, until I get it paid off. That being said, what monetary figure should I approach him with?
That fleet of Konas has been replaced by the Giant FCR 3. I know that he's getting close to trading out the fleet again, and am considering making him an offer- with a twist: I put a deposit down, while he keeps renting it out, until I get it paid off. That being said, what monetary figure should I approach him with?
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And am I crazy for considering buying a well used (though a maintained one), rental bike?
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I have a 2008 Giant FCR3w and I love it. I consider it more along the lines of a flat bar road bike than the more mountain bike type of hybrids. I have almost 4000 miles on it and I've only replaced the tires and brake pads.
I'm a relative newbie but considering that you can slowly replace any part of the bike you want but the frame, buying a used bike in good condition may be a good choice for you depending on your riding style and goals. I paid $420 for mine new one back in late 2008 so you might be able to offer $250 or so. I suppose it depends on how new the wearable parts are, like tires and brake pads, and if there are any upgrades from the stock bike at all. Does he replace the tires and brakes just prior to sale or are the bikes "as is?"
I'm a relative newbie but considering that you can slowly replace any part of the bike you want but the frame, buying a used bike in good condition may be a good choice for you depending on your riding style and goals. I paid $420 for mine new one back in late 2008 so you might be able to offer $250 or so. I suppose it depends on how new the wearable parts are, like tires and brake pads, and if there are any upgrades from the stock bike at all. Does he replace the tires and brakes just prior to sale or are the bikes "as is?"
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He ensures that they are functional before selling them. Which means a tune-up or overhaul may be needed sooner than later- just kinda depends the service schedule that's already in place.
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I have a Chinese market Giant FCR3500, which appears to be a higher spec version of the FCR3, and I love it. It's definitely much quicker than a mountain bike, and it's really nimble even though it's not that light. Definitely recommended, but I can't speak for prices, especially since bikes seem to be quite a bit more expensive in the US than they are here in China.
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I live in North Texas, and back in 2008 I had to drive to Oklahoma City to find a new Giant FCR3 in my size (XL), as production of them was delayed for another year or so. I bought it as a "cheap beater" to run errands on, lock up without worrying about it, etc. I actually haven't used it much over the years, but I just overhauled the hubs (the wheels were a cost-cutter and the hubs look like they were packed with that gelatin fat from SPAM). Over the years it's had 35mm tires (tight fit in the rear triangle), recently 32mm, but decided to put on some 28mm Continental 4Seasons which give the bike a MUCH livelier personality ... hence I'll ride it more often now. Fitted rear rack for (rare) pannier use; ended up switching to a flatter bar vs. the rise; the adjustable stem needed some lithium grease to keep from creaking, and of course a better saddle. I picked it because I loved the SMOOTH aluminum welds on the frameset, and the 3x8 drivetrain had a good wide range, was pretty quiet without much finicky chain rub, and kept the price down to around $500 new. Wish it had presta valves on the rims ... but it was spec'd for its intended casual biker market.
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