Picked up this Specialized Hardrock Sport mountain bike - which as best I can tell, is from either 2005 or 2006, from a Craigslist seller located just 5 miles from my house. He was asking $50 for it, with two flat tires - and he was willing to throw a tube into the deal. He claimed he was getting rid of it because he had back surgery and couldn't ride anymore. He was in the middle of cleaning out his garage with his wife, who was clearly insisting that he get rid of it. The rear tire was half off, and the tube was mangled into the rear brake. He had bought a replacement tube, but had obviously botched the repair attempt, which I of course used as a negotiating point. I also took full advantage of the obviousness of his wife glaring at him to get rid of it. So I offered him $40 for the bike and the replacement tube, which I suspect he did not dare turn down with the wife glaring at him.

Well, after some disassembly and diagnostics, turns out the ONLY problem with the bike was the two flat tires - and in fact the front did not even need a tube, just air in it. The back needed - and got - the tube which the seller had graciously already bought and threw into the deal. Other than the two flats, and some truing of the wheels, and an overall cleaning, this bike needed nothing else. I took it out on it's inaugural ride this morning - it's a very useful bike - somewhat on the heavy side at around 34 pounds, but very sturdy and certainly well built. The brakes and drivetrain and shifters are working fine, and it's good to go - and it has just become my bad weather bike. Even the seat is very comfortable.