Originally Posted by
salvatx
Hey all. Thanks for all of the helpful info.
The link provided is exactly what I wa looking for...incredibly helpful! I'm looking forward to asking better questions after digesting that site.
To the person who asked if that was my bike: I promise it's not.
I live in NYC, and it seems like everything here is marked up 50% as compared to everywhere else, so I think I have to take a chance and order something online, though I wish I could test ride. I'm looking for a bike to ride and love, not something to flip for a profit or anything. That said, I'm pretty sure once I know a good deal when I see it, I see myself starting to grab every bike I see.
Obviously shipping is going to be expensive from Europe, but I think I can get the seller down to $275 USD for the bike. I might just go for it.
The paint job is kind of terrible, but bikes get stolen all of the time here, so it might be a nice deterrent. On a similar note, I've looked at three bikes I saw on CL, and I'd venture to guess that two of the three were stolen. As people who buy used items, do you all feel like this is something that comes up often? Maybe a different thread for a different day.
Thanks again to everyone.
You can get good deals in NYC, but you have to be patient and you have to check Craigslist a lot. I've bought several very nice bikes or frames at good prices. For reference, here's a couple bikes I have picked up and what I paid for them. They all needed some love, but were good bikes:
1974 Raleigh Gran Sport: $200
1979 Raleigh Competition: $175
1979 Raleigh Professional: $100
Early 80's Peugeot Pn??: $200
Early 80's Soma competition (frame, fork & headset): $25
Late 70's Austro Daimler (frame, fork, headset): $60
and lots more.
Keep in mind that here you will need to invest in a good lock if you plan on locking your bike up at all. Minimum is a orange-level Kryptonite lock with an additional cable. Yellow level is better. Best is a big chain with a small u-lock from either the orange or yellow levels. I also replace quick release skewers with ones that need special tools, and I find some way to attach the saddle to the bike. Never ever leave a bike out anywhere overnight.