I have been checking out the thrift shops for quite sometime and around here, they are pretty much used Wal-Mart bikes. Cycling isn't too popular in Hernando County quite yet, so it will be awhile before "decent" bikes show up in thrift stores. As far as the tires, thank goodness my BF actually reads and the manual specifically said to make sure the exact amount of air goes in the tires at first...I am assuming most people didn't do this and maybe this is why they had tire issues. We have a floor pump, but we need another with the gauge so we know how much is going in. Thanks for the info.