Originally Posted by
redxj
They are an absolute waste of time. I don't bother with any bikes from a department store. For free I might grab it just to take to the scrap yard or rob a few misc parts from it, but never to fix up and resell. My basic standard for a bike to buy has to have three piece cotterless cranks and a straight frame/fork. So yes, I pass up every Varsity, Continental, and three speed crusier bike I generally come across. For me it is mostly road bikes with a few older MTB/hybrids as well.
I have to disagree ever so slightly with my good friend, redxj. I won't take a dept. store bike for free, unless it has tires I need, and only a Varsinetal if it has tires and is preactically free, and clean to begin with. Where I disagree is an old Schwinn Collegiate/Suburban. I don't car if it has heavy, one piececranks, it has fenders, and sometimes a chain guard.
My best seller is a Collegiate. It has 5 speeds, which is fine for most campus jaunts, it has fenders and a chain guard, big pluses, if sold properly, it's stylish as all get out, and the biggest plus for college kids, you can ride it after a few drinks!
Three speeds fit into the same category, even simpler, especially if it has a Sturmey Archer hub. I can sell every one redxj passes on. Thank goodness he has a job, finally, so he doesn't have time to polish turds all day. ;-)