scozim 

I'm driving by a pawn shop today and see some bikes and an interesting shaped saddle on one of them. Of course, I have to stop and take a gander.

Only one bike worth looking at - 1981 Trek 510 22" (serial # 006081). It might be a little tall but, the price is really, really good - but crap if I bring another bike home my wife will annihilate me. But, I'd really like that Concor saddle - just to see what all the hype is about.

It's go bullhorn bars, Shimano brakes, 700c X 28 tires, Shimano 600 (tri-color) rear derailleur, Sugino GT triple crank and Suntour Cyclone Mk II front derailleur, wide range freewheel with Campy hubs.

Ugghhhhhh! The bike is pretty scraped up in several spots and there are no decals at all other than the head badge.

Sometimes this sickness sucks - not sure if I'll sleep good tonight or not.

illwafer

if it's for a good price and better than one of your current bikes, buy it and sell one. pretty simple if you ask me.

Chris_in_Miami

Well, it's certainly a Frankenbike, but I'd be tempted too if it was cheap enough and the frame was straight. That saddle looks nasty though, I'd be afraid of STDs (saddle-ly transmitted diseases.)

robtown

Why is it that you can never see the valve on bike pictures to determine if it's presta or schrader? Nice TREK - impossible to pass up if it's under $75.
Did anyone notice the seatpost is so high it's ready to fall out of the seat tube?

mazdaspeed

It would make a really nice beater if you need such a thing.

scozim 

There's no doubt it's a Frankenbike - but it obviously had an owner who knew something about quality components even if there's no rhyme or reason to how it's put together. If you think the saddle looks bad in the photo you should see it in person - that was one heavilyy sweating person that rode that bike.

Schrader valves - although I converted my dad's schrader mountain bike to presta pretty easily. I'll wait a week or two and if it's still there maybe make an offer much lower than the asking price.

Unfortunately my Nishiki falls into the beater category and I like it's ride.

scozim 

Ok - update time. My wife will kill me I'm sure. I've watched this '81 Trek 510 sit at this pawn shop for over 2 months now. 2 weeks ago I went in and they said they'd let it go for $60 + tax. Ponder, ponder. I decided to walk away. In the meantime I sold a re-issued Turbo saddle and decided that if the bike was still there today I'd go buy it. Enough letting a decent steel bike sit in a parking lot as winter approaches.

I pulled in the lot today - the bike is still there. Cool. There a note on all the bikes - 50% off all bikes this weekend. Even cooler. I walked out of the pawn shop with the Trek for a total of $34. I finally have my own vintage Trek road bike.

Now to decide what to do with it. I think it could make a nice light tourer, commuter. Although, my Nishiki is fitting in right now as the errand bike. It'll need a lot of work - new tires at a minimum. But, I've got a Mavic GP4 tubular wheelset that should go on it. Heck, with the chopped bars/bullhorns. I could put my aero clamp on bars on it and try to set it up for time trial work. Gotta say it will be kind of fun to mess around with it.

cehowardGS

I am SNEAKING my next bike in pass the wifee!!!!!!! Couple weeks down the line I will tell her that I paid about 50% of what I really paid!!

Do whatever to keep the peace in the house...

rat fink

That's not right...

That would make such a great cyclocross bike, though.

auchencrow

And if your wife doesn't get you, something else will, so live like you only live once!

ahson

I always sneak my bikes in the house before 'she' finds out. I know where to hide them.

scozim 

That's why my shop is 100 yards from the house. With a locking door to the store room and I have the only key.

fuji86

The Huffy looks like a fun trail rider ?

balindamood

My wife has never left a craft store for less than $34....don't know if I would use than in an argument though.

BluesDaddy

I have enough bikes in the shop that they kind of blend together to a non-bike person like my wife... and she rarely goes in there, so...

rothenfield1

Nice that you have an area of the house your wife doesn't go into. Like to learn your secret on how you accomplish this. No luck on that here.

caloso

Single speed commuter. That's what I'd do. Nice score.

cehowardGS

Sheesh, then I am way late! However, I am catching on to the this "much need and wonderful move"...(the sneakpasswifebit)..

robtown

My wife accused me of having 15 bikes downstairs in the utility room. Since there are only 11 (and one is for sale) I feel justified in acquiring 4 more. I have two frames on order from the Netherlands that have been shipped to my office. It's better than having them sitting at my front door in full view.
At < $50 I don't see an reason to worry about your new TREK.

sailorbenjamin

Explain to her how much you'll make when you decide to sell it.

marley mission

always use a trial balloon when you are considering new bike purchase

Andrew F

Stop bathing, wear the same shirt everyday and speak in random unconnected thoughts.....your bike collection will be the least of her worries.

Chris_in_Miami

And if helps if your trial balloon costs 3 or 4 times as much as the one you're actually considering

curbtender

Well, my wife keeps bringing buyers by. Think she's trying to tell me something?

cehowardGS

That works good too.. I mentioned a couple weeks ago, that I a line on a another bike. And quickly added that it was cheap and if I do get it, I am going to do this or that to get the money.. No screams so far!!