Right when my son was born, one of my sisters, the one who thinks nothing of going off on transcontinental, solo, self supported rides, sent me a trailer. It sat in the box in my basement for a year or two, I had about as much regard for the concept as for a minivan. Finally, after running out of diplomatic evasions to my sister's periodic queries about how I liked the trailer, I put it together, loaded up my kid, and absolutely adored the concept from day one.

It also evened up the score a little between my wife and me on rides, further improving the harmony in our marriage.

I'm sure opinions vary, but mine is unabashedly positive. You'd be surprised at how little drag these add on flat ground, you actually get a little bit of a flywheel effect going over gentle speed humps and stuff, kinda neat. Plus, drivers see the trailer and become insanely polite generally. And you can put all sorts of extra stuff in it, but the bike handling is much less affected than by loading on bike, the list just goes on.

My son is too big for it now, but I still use it for shopping. And people don't know there isn't a toddler in it, so they still cut you a wide berth.



Ditto that. I was just joking, I hope...

I get it.

But in all seriousness, I think there are few bikes standing in more need of white saddle and bar wrap.

Timeline is familiar to me....being 40 miles from the main CL venue.

The drive is always a bit apprehansive, especially at night.
My wife doesn't understand the adventure of "tentative."

Oops, I missed that the tire comment was a joke. I didn't figure that you would like cream tires either.

Well, I trust your endorsement of a trailer and you hit on a lot of the notes that I considered. I don't want to take your thread further OT than I already have, sorry about that.

Turgul, that is impressive!

This bike came w/full Shimano 105 group. Might be fun to update it to a full modern 105 group, kind of keep it in the spirit of things. But I have to finish other projects first. This bike also sort of has a bit of nostalgia for me, a 1985 Trek 660 was my main ride for most of the second half of the 80's, the frame on the 87 560 is same tubeset and geometry seems identical except for .4 inch greater fork offset.

Nobody out there is owed a "deal." If one want to pay for the privilege of winning a product on CL that one really wants then go ahead and DO it. It's a free world. I don't think the seller is going to complain. Green cashew money greases the wheels.

Everything has a price and with all things prices are negotiable.

Great story Robatsu.

On the craigslist level, it's not the buyer's responsibility to ensure that the seller follows certain guidelines, hence, "free market".

Loved the story telling...I'm sure we can all relate and I know I've gone through the exact same dialogue numerous times.

"Welcome to Name That Bike, the show where we show you a nondescript photo of a vintage road bike and you guess the brand, model, and year. Our returning champion, tugurl..."

As long as you add SunTour bar-cons , you are OK.

When I sell on craigslist, I figure first one that says he will drive over gets it unless they are begging to come the next day, If they really want it and I'm available to show them the bike they should come right over. I usually get a time from them and tell them that if they don't show it's back on the market within an hour. #1 should have made arrangements to look at it that night.

thread drift!
what is this?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v218/jvpro/007-8.jpg

Vitus?

So how 'bout that modern Shimano 105 idea?

Nice look Trek! I am quickly becoming an '80's Trek fan.

I won't hold a bike for anyone except for the time when they leave their house until they get to my place. I promise not to sell a bike while they are on the road to my place to look at a bike. But I can't promise there won't be another guy when he gets here who might be biding against him.

Cash is king, The buyer who gets here first with cash s/he is willing to lay on the table gets preference every time. It's my bike to sell however I wish using whatever rules I think are fair. I feel first-come first serve is fair and I don't lead anyone on -just give them the whole truth about how things work.

Waiting around for people who may or may not ever show up "tomorrow" or maybe the next day is just wasting my time IMHO. But if someone else wants to sell their bike another way or play by different "gentleman rules" that's fine with me too. It's your bike until you sell it and it's a Free Market out there. As long as someone doesn't tell me how I must deal on my bikes I'm fine however they want to do it with their own sales -even if I laugh, giggle, or raise my eyebrows about it. It's mostly not my business other than I'm constantly observing how other people do things.

There is always a chance of finding a better way that makes my life easier & better.

you are correct sir, vitus 992.

fun little read there, and a good score,

lots of cloudy parades here.

you want it go get it. no time like the present

I'm on the OP's purchase technique. The '82 PXN10 I should finish up tonight was the same story. From a blurry pic in a non-descript "Peugeot for sale $75" CL ad I was pretty sure it was a PX10. The seller responded and said there was a guy in front of me that was coming over later in the afternoon and he had promised the seller $50 sight unseen. I quickly sent an email back promising him over his asking price sight unseen. Got my response, got in the car. Bought it that morning.

drrobwave has had success converting his 7-sp 105 freehub to 8/9/10 and going STI. The bike is still full 105 and runs great.

I've simply swapped wheels to convert 2x6 105 to 2x9 105, changed the crankset to 9-sp 105 and added Tiagra STI's.

I'd love to have those older polished 105 hubs on a modern 8/9/10 ride, but I've not tried that yet.

Haha, you guys crack me up! Thanks :)

It was also True Temper in 1988.

Good thing you can get black and red tread as well. ;)

I like that idea a lot. Certain advantages are gained and, as you said, the overall theme is continued.

Although it was a joke, it's worth noting that there are no creme/white 650B tires that will fit that frame.

Have you seen southpawboston's '87 560? It's nice.

1988 :p

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4049/...93796375_b.jpg