richard4993

Hello All,

I keep seeing in different posts around the forums that people get really cheap deals on bikes at thrift stores, flea markets and some other places. Was curious if it was possible to find deals like this in NYC or within driving distance of the city.

Dahon.Steve

You're not going to find deals in New York City because people have money to spend. The best deals for used bikes are on Ebay for someone living in Metro New York. However, you can't buy name brand bikes like Trek or Giant online so that limits you to online retailers like Performance or Nashbar. Then there's Bikes Direct of course.

Once in a blue moon, CraigsList New York will have something but you'll have to make an offer way below what they are selling. Most people want over 200 hundred dollars for a 10 speed bike from 1980.

Jarrettsin

Deals can be found, but it takes work. Most of the stories you read of people finding "great deals" they are lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time. A lot depends on what your looking for too. And you always have to be wary of deals that are to good to be true! Could be a knock off or maybe someone's not being honest and the frame has a crack!

NYC area google bike Jumble it's held in Brooklyn like 3 times a years it's used bikes and parts.

richard4993

Thanks for the help guys. Would also drive outside of the city if anybody knows of anything.

leob1

New Brunswick, Plainfield and Trenton all have Bike Exchanges where you can buy used bike on the cheap. The quality of bikes they have and the price depends on what is donated.

Jarrettsin

This Saturday

https://www.bikeforums.net/northeast-...l#post18541067

dendawg

Shops | Recycle-A-Bicycle

oddjob2

You have to prowl craigslist/ebay continuously and be able to get there immediately to score a deal. There are even stupendous deals in your Boro, Brooklyn, but for every underpriced bike there are 10 plus buyers. Know what you're looking at, don't ask a lot of questions, figure your tolls into cost, and have the cash ready. I like vintage steel.

Here are some recent scores in the NYC metro area.

1983 Trek 500 - Parsippany NJ via ebay, 3/2016. Although I am in Florida this week, I won, paid for it, and will pick up around Easter.


1981 Miyata 1000 - New Hyde Park, NY via craigslist, 12/2015. Somewhat cosmetically challenged, but about 25% of FMV.


1988 Centurion Ironman Master - Lincoln Park, NJ via ebay, 12/2015.


1987 Centurion Ironman Expert - Tappan, NY via craigslist, 10/2015.

zacster

Good luck with that. I've tried Craigslist and the swap meets, and they are usually just crappy bikes that weren't any good to begin with. I looked at one bike that was listed as "Like new", "perfect condition" and found wobbly wheels, a loose headset and a missing brake cable. It wasn't worth the asking price and I talked the seller down. Even then, it was a low-end Trek, and in the end it probably wasn't even worth what little I paid. At least I'm handy with a spoke wrench and got the wheels in shape.

Just remember this: If it looks like a deal but needs to have some parts replaced, the total cost of bike+parts will exceed the value of the bike in most cases.

Wo show

Craigslist is tough, you do have to be able to get there quickly like Oddjob says.

1nterceptor

Put your budget in Craigslist; the search function will give you a list.
Even if you're searching in Brooklyn; it will give results in nearby areas -
Long Island, New Jersey, etc. Seen a few bikes in NJ flea markets; wasn't
really interested in vintage or Walmart bikes. Never bothered to ask for
prices. You may want to check out fleas in Delaware or PA.

CliffordK

I thought New Yorkers didn't buy cheap bikes.
They just bought expensive bolt cutters.

ptempel

Pretty much craigslist new york city and ebay. Use the meta search tools like searchtempest.com and searchcraigslist.org. Search for brands, size (56cm, 22.5in, etc), type (road, 10 speed, etc). Learn some less popular brands that don't command as high a dollar as others like Panasonic, Univega, Lotus, Schwinn, Tommaso. Some decent under dog road bikes that I have come across are Schwinn Fastback (2006 and later ones), Tommaso Imola (newer Tiwanese aluminum one), Lemond Buenos Aires (mid 2000 reynolds 853 ones), Giant OCR 3, Miyata 912, etc. Most of those are from $400 up to $900. BF is a good place to research specific models of a brand.

Edit: Recently saw a 56cm 2012 Scott Speedster S10 with Shimano Ultrgra 10-spd group for $899 on craigslist north jersey. This is another one that I'd be all over if I was looking for another bike.