I stopped by the local thrift store bike pen last Saturday and was glad I did. I found a brand new (packing grease still attached) pair of specialized spd clipless pedals attached to a raleigh marathon (almost perfect condition and just my size). I put it on the ground and continued looking. I then found an older peugot that would fit my father perfectly (he loves peugots but is 5'6" and is riding a 58cm frame). Did I mention that the peugot had full front and rear touring racks? I put that on the pile. I then found a schwinn world sport with the most perfect pair of shiny brown vintage fenders attached. That went on the pile and went to negotiate price. THE GUY CHARGED ME $9.00 FOR ALL THREE BIKES!!!

When I got home and worked on the tubes, all three of the bikes ran and shifted flawlessly.

The peugot was stripped of its racks and was given to my dad, who then gave me his 58cm bike which will now be given to my neighbor as his first road bike.
The schwinn was stripped of the fenders and given to a friend who has a "vision" for fixing it up.
I kept the raleigh and am riding it 20 miles round trip to work. I have ordered new bars/tape/stem/brake levers for it. I am also thinking of a pair of club roost cross terras for snow conditions as the brakes/clearance would allow that. It is a heavy pig but its comfort and versatility is worth the extra weight for commuting.

For $9.00, I made four people very happy!

Even though I own a very nice road racer, I almost prefer riding the Raleigh right now. There is no comparison in ride comfort (steel is sweet!) and for commuting purposes, I find it the perfect solution.

I just had to share my thrift store success. Anyone else out there had similar success lately?