I find bikes all the time, and a 53cm (21 inch) is a very common size. My first recommendation is to be open on other brands. I look for good bikes, and could care less what the brand is. As a result, over the years, I have been introduced to a lot of interesting brands.

Learn to be able to tell the difference between a good bike and a POS, Randy's site is a good place to start. Realize that in the "old days", bottom end was really, really low end. So for every decent vintage bike, there are dozens or even hundreds of crappy ones. I continue to look for bikes at garage sales, but I have the advantage that I am also looking for other stuff. So even though decent bikes are rare at a garage sale, I still find around 15 a year there. And when I do, the prices are attractive, often VERY attractive. Last two garage sale bikes were $15 each....

It should be noted, that bikes found for really attractive prices tend to have one trait in common, the need for work, often a lot of work. So unless you have the time/tools/aptitude/pile of parts, some of these great deals aren't so hot. A bike co-op, if you can find one in your area, is an excellent way to gain access to everything I just mentioned, plus BIKES!


In the 1970s, all the French bikes used obsolete french sized parts. As long as what is on the bike is in good working order, no problem. But when you go to make changes/upgrades, while parts are out there, they are quite a bit more costly than the standard sized stuff.


Also, consider buying a bike (or two) on a road trip, or have family/friends in another area pick one up for you. Pretty much every time I take a road trip, I find desirable bikes at a reasonable price. I'm on a road trip right now, I've passed on four bikes so far, just didn't want to deal with them on a bike rack on the back of the car while I traveled through some really nasty weather.

The more creative you get, the more deals you will find, at more attractive prices.