As far as where do you find the deals: the thrift stores I hit put out merchandise all day long. So anytime I am driving by, I will pull in for a quick look. Seems like they price things based on how shiny they are. So newer Xmart bikes can be priced high, higher than Walmart!!

So I tend to do better on the older bikes, flat tires, that kind of thing. I have paid anywhere from $5 to $20 for such bikes. I have bought six bikes this year at thrift stores and two at garage sales. Kept one, flipped the rest.

But there tend to be long dry spells and then a couple of good bikes will hit.

I have done better on riding gear, jerseys, jackets and shorts. They seem to be regularly available around here. Buy them at the GW Clearance Center for $1/pound, so shorts and jerseys are 25 to 30 cents each or so...