Lol .. nice i like it, maybe i can get it coined at my coop .

Trying to post this gem from Working Bikes in Chicago, but image upload isn't working.

https://i.imgur.com/yvIt5zq.jpg

A bargain at $1200!

Wow! Very nice. Any other pictures of that place? It looks awesome.

Here's a weird one we got last week: Peugeot mountain bike with factory DRUM brakes! They evidently didn't design it right so the seatstay was bent right at the brake arm from braking force, and the fork was bent so the bike was stripped and recycled. Too bad, it would've been a pretty interesting ride.

When you see these type of higher end bikes in the store, what are prices like (excluding the Weigle)? It would be fun to pick up an Italian, but I'm a bike acquisition bottom feeder w/ prices.

The Italian bikes were maybe $600 to $800. I think the Masi was a Grand Corsa with Campy C-Record for $800. The Ritchey Breakaway was $2000, but it was a recent model that looked like it hadn't been ridden.

They also had a Bridgestone RB-T for $400 and a Reynolds 531 Trek 660 for $370. Keep in mind they're all fully refurbished, so I think that's quite reasonable.

I've lived in Chicago for almost 10 years but that was the first time I've been to Working Bikes. Can't believe it took me so long to get there.

Another visit this week to our local co-op in its shrunken space. Not much to report. The Peugeot mixte looks like a home market bike.


The Sturmey wheel was in the dumpster just beyond my reach. Looked like it had a Schwinn rim on it. Don't really need this but hate to see one of these get tossed and am tempted to go back with my skyhook to retrieve it. I won't show any more pix of the dumpster contents. I know the co-op is strapped for space and that most of the stuff here is very basic but many of the bikes look compIete and I can't believe they would not be better sent to Goodwill or the Salvation Army instead of tossed away.

I went back for the wheel; S-6 wheel, 36H with 18T cog and hub date 77. Here's a pic of the dumpster with some complete bikes in addition to scrap/junk. Shame.

I've gotten about two bikes road-worthy and about six wheels to be bike-ready. I've helped people repair their bikes. I'm really enjoying this. I feel like I've found my tribe. We are helping poor people onto some cheap wheels. We are teaching skills.

Good chance many of those items came FROM Goodwill, Salvation Army, etc. They'd be equally strapped for space, and less likely to know what do with the stuff. The co-ops / kitchens tend to be the "last stop" for bikes/parts that haven't found the right home. If it weren't for liability issues and concerns for people really trashing the place, they could consider an "interim" container that's easier to access than the dumpster. But they're probably also strapped for the human resources needed to keep something like that from becoming a complete disaster.

Overall, it is a shame what good, usable stuff goes to waste. Around here, the number of bikes abandoned (but left locked up) by students is breathtaking. Yeah, a lot of Wal-bikes, but a lot of desirable C&V gear as well. We just have to find/pick what we can, use the skyhook when it's called for, and hope that there are others out there digging up these old coins and keeping them in circulation.

My local goodwill usually has a couple of 12" and 16" kids bikes, and they also had (years ago) a few decent 35mm film cameras - the cameras have disappeared. I asked about adult bikes and cameras and was told that they had an arrangement with a buyer who gets to review items of that sort before they go to the sales floor.

Goodwill also has an auction site, I know in my area, all the decent bikes, cameras, etc, seem to get skimmed for the central location, sent to the auction site, or disappear otherwise. The co-op is straight-up. Donations get recycled into affordable transit, or, if the frame is bad, etc, it is just plain recycled. Sorting is carried out by a couple of guys with some background in bicycles. Sometimes people drop off whole trailer loads of bicycles and stuff, and most bicycles sell for less than Wal*Mart close out prices. But we're 150 miles away from Chicago, and Chicago prices as well. You just don't see the same bikes, though, as well. Few Italian bikes, mostly lower end Peugeots, Gitanes, and Motos for French bicycles. Basic Raleighs. My Falcon San Remo is the only one I've ever seen. Loads of basic bikes to get people to and from work, and loads of parts to fix the ones that get broken in the going.

Our co-op processed and delivered 39000# of scrap to the recycler last year. Think about that for a minute.

^^^^^ I wouldn't be surprised if ours was on a similar scale. They're located literally steps from the biggest private metal recycler in the city, which I think is no coincidence.

Great, isn't it? I've worked at several of the co-ops around the city over the years and it's always fun - good people, old bikes, new skills.

Oooh, Dura-Ace 7410 cranks! Don't see those around often at all.

These three arrived yesterday. A Premier, a Jeunet, and a Centurion (I think it was a Sport DLX, definitely not an IM).



The Jeunet looked like a late 60s bike, and had full simplex drivetrain (including an undamaged Simplex FD). I don't know if it helps with dating, but it had stamped dropouts.

All 3 are slated to be stripped and the frames scrapped.

so 7 varsities?

I had no idea this thread exists. I'll keep it mind from now on!

Here's some old photos from the co-op

Buffalo Co-op

Stowe (about 24.5 inch 62cm?)
Bike is built up with a mix of stuff - Avocet Cranks, Campy brakes I didn't recognize with I think were Record levers. Tiagra derailleurs. Very nice looking bike for $300

BF Quote of the week, if not the year. Laughed so hard, I spasmed. Major likes on this bit of wit. I always called Varsities and Continentals Tennessee Ernie Ford bikes, 16 Tons!!!