Worth $50?
 

its for a fairly tall rider. Unless it is a perfect fit for you AND you have your heart set on a Belgian bike, I'd only go $10

If you want Belgian, focus on Eddy Merckxx or an upper level Libertas

Is it a good bike even? I'm about 6"1 so it should fit me.

I'm sorry, it's nothing special and not of very high quality. You can get a Libertas w/ Reynolds 531 main frame for that kind of money.

The seller doesn't even give a size yet they know it's a "Racing Classic" that IS NOT RIDEABLE :rolleyes:

PM me if you need a bike for your size.

Don't be sorry, thanks for the info!

It's worth $50 here, in fact you could probably get more...
is it worth $50 to a collector on this forum? No.
is it worth $50 to someone who wants a bike to learn some mechanics on and get around town and not wait for months (scouring CL, thrift stores and auctions) for the absolute steal of getting a 531 bike for $50? YES!

Go check it out Mazdaspeed,

Cyclotoine makes a great point if it has 531. I've never seen a Flandria w/ 531, just high ten steel. The seller states that they will accept offers and maybe you could negotiate. I cant tell if those are cottered cranks?? Hope not. $50 seems very steep to me, but I'm a tightass :p

I wasn't suggesting it could be 531... I was just saying the elusive $50 531 bike can be had but it usually takes a lot of patience and good hunting skills, something that isn't feasible who someone who just wants a bike to ride. What I am getting at is that this bike is worth $50 even if a better bike CAN be found for $50 if the buyer is someone who wants a bike to use and isn't a tightwad collector like you and I.

Sorry, I understand what you are saying now

I hear what you are saying and you make a great point: It's better to ride a fun old Euro bike than not ride at all

Well why isn't it ridable? Does it just need tires?

If there are major problems with the drive train, brakes.. it may be more $$ than it's "worth" to fix it up. Depends too on your ability to get cheap parts and labor...

Well if they have it on Tuesday when I get paid maybe I'll check it out. I plan on replacing the wheels and making it into a single speed bke anyway lol.

What are cottered cranks and why are they bad?

Cottered cranks are cranks that are held together by a cotter pin. They (in my opinion) are a pain the rear to remove. I think the one time I removed some I just ended up destroying them because it was the only way I could get them off. Wait around for a nicer bike is what I say.

Went and picked up that bike..

It's in GREAT shape. It has the original head and tail light assembly with a generatior, a rear cargo rack thing, and seemingly functional simplex derailers. it doesn't appear to have cottered cranks. I also couldn't tell what kind of frame it has. It seems like a good deal though, considering it just needs tires.

+1

If you see what an LBS will charge for a not so special used bike with a not so great finish, $50 isn't a bad deal for something that with an additional small investment will be a perfectly good, functioning bike.

Yes, if you know where to look, have patience, a bunch of spare parts lying around, you can put together a better bike for less. Not everybody is in that situation.

Sounds good...

I'd like a generator system like that on one of my bikes...

The add is deleted. Can you post some photos? I find some deals that would make you sick but a 531 frame for $50 is one I havent found yet.

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2..._2168Large.jpg
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2..._2169Large.jpg

so can anyone tell me anything about this thing? :)

Looks like a Jeunet with different headlugs.

-Kurt

What does that mean? lol

Do us a favor and turn it around and get a picture of the drive side please;) At one point in the mid to late 70's there was a smattering of odd imports making it over here from Europe (specifically France and Belgium for some reason) I had a Lucien Michard. These were decent bikes, typically CroMo but nothing fancy. Along the lines of the lower end Gitanes and Dawes bikes. I have no clue what your bike is, the dérailleur may give someone a clue as to the age of the bike. Also any marking on the handle bars or stem? Overall it, if it fits, it should be a decent deal for the money spent. It looks like something out of the late 70's early 80's...

Aaron:)

Thanks mazdaspeed:p BTW that is a cottered crank. My best guess would be early 80's, if it rides good it was worth it. You "may" have problems if you go to upgrade the crankset. Might be french or swiss threading.

Aaron:)

Well I got it for my brother ($40). It seems to ride and shift fine, we filled the (original) tires back up with air and I test rode it a bit. Not too bad in my opinion. I don't think he has any upgrade plans so hopefully it just ends up being an OK bike.