Originally Posted by cudak888

The so-called "Land Of Rust" you peg Florida to be has little to do with the general rust on bikes. Similar oxidation is present on bikes up north, where snow, salt, and sludge equally (if not considerably more so) attack steel bicycles.

Also, behold these recent finds of mine, of the last two years. All bikes listed here were found in the Miami/Fort Lauderdale area, with one exception. All of these machines were found in mint to reasonably decent condition, with exceptions noted:

1985 Basso, Campag Triomphe, bent frame - $50
1961 Schwinn Paramount (rustbucket components, intact frame with faded paint) - Free
1983 Peugeot PSV-10 (light rust spidering under the paint, some rust through the paint - typical French) - Free
1986 Raleigh Grand Prix frameset (Tampa) - $30 + 20 shipping, eBay
1986 Peugeot Versailles - Free
197? Fuji Grand Touring - $20
198? Fuji Grand Touring - Trash pile
197? Nishiki International - $40
1987 Schwinn Prelude (one 2" diameter area with rust spotting on top tube, otherwise, mint) - $20
1987 Basso, Campag Triomphe/Victory S3 (some rust spots around the BB, nothing major) - $15
198? Nishiki Olympic - $35

I'd say that pretty much disproves - with all due respect, I wish to note - the "Land Of Rust" theory.

-Kurt