I know this isn't nearly as exciting, and it's not C and V at all, but I got a few requests to see it. Not sure what I'm doing with it yet...but it's sort of interesting. And I know there are Look fans here...

MODS - please correct title typo















Frame is almost definitely a Litespeed built for Look.

NICE! I can appreciate something like that, it is a piece of cycling history. Not that I particularly want one, or would even ride one if I did have one.

Aaron

Sweet titanium ride. Is this what qualifies as a substitute for a Spectrum?

Beautiful, I've been wanting a lOOK just like that one..

Certainly no substitute for Spectrum!

It's interesting because it's different, but I have an awesome ti bike...my TK Merlin, and I doubt this compares. But, I'll ride it and see.

These aren't usually my cup of tea, but I have to admit you've posted a pretty interesting bike. I'm curious to hear your opinion of the ride quality.

I know what you mean...SRAM is NOT my thing and neither is Litespeed, but something about this is sort of endearing. Maybe it's because it looks like chrome and has the very traditional Look graphics.

hmmmm, looks about my size- 56 ish?

if you are interested in selling (frame/forks/post/stem) i'd be very interested...
any history that you could give us?
J

I have it as 54 ST ctc and 54.5 TT CTC. I might, but I want to try it for a few weeks first.

The story of how I got this is fairly sad and I'm not sure I really feel like retelling it. It would likely lead to some angry conversation - but the basics are that I bought it from an early twenty something who had pawned it and wanted rent money. It was an aggravating sale and it's been aggravating afterwards. Had I known the drama that was awaiting me, I never would have answered the ad. It's unquestionably been the most difficult, annoying transaction I've had on a used bike.

do tell the story, sounds interesting

Blehhh...OK, but it's ugly.

He had this listed on CL at $1,200 with an ad called eviction special. There were no photos and I thought it sounded interesting. Description was VERY vague. He emails back and wants me to come out immediately. He insists that the sale has to be done by 4:30 pm. I work business hours and it was looking like it wouldn't work. He keeps emailing me...I mean A LOT...he's desperate, he'll drop the price...please....etc. He starts out saying it's SRAM Rival and then says Force. I didn't think there was enough money in it, and I didn't think the bike would likely be better than my Merlin, so I wasn't really interested in rushing out in the middle of the day. He keeps pushing...I agree to meet him at a pawn shop at 1:30. A work crises comes up and I have to reschedule...he's flipping out. At this point I was already regretting having ever sent an email, let alone a phone number.

I finally go out to meet him at the pawn shop...the pawn shop wants $220 (200 loan, 20 interest) just for me to look at the bike. I get ready to walk away...but he's begging. I have the shop owner sign an agreement that if the sale doesn't work out, I get the $200 back. The kid promised he'd pay back the 20, but I didn't think it was likely. So, essentially, I paid $20 to consider a sale I should have walked, but I was already in and just wanted it over with.

The bike comes out...it looks ok, everything checks out...I pay the post negotiation $$$ and walk away with the bike. He says something like he might call me to ask for the bike back and pay me $50 for it. I say maybe and walk away.

Next day - he texts me...he wants the bike back and he'll give me $50. I say let me think about it...I'd already paid for new tape. He keeps messaging me...he wants it back NOW NOW NOW...it's getting on my nerves. I finally say if you message me again tonight the answer is no. First thing in the morning...message about the bike. I start thinking about the time I already had in, and the aggravation and realize it was well beyond the money he was paying me for my trouble. I had to walk two bikes back to work and then home, at least 2 hours of grief. I had the time at the pawn shop, the messages, the calls. I felt badly for him because I've been poor, desperate and facing eviction at his age too...and if he hadn't been so annoying, he probably would have gotten it back.

The other factor was I started thinking about it...and how does a kid totally desperate for $$$ one day come up with the cash the next day? It hits me...he probably has another buyer lined up at a better price. So I get to deal with the pawn shop hassle (which was much more difficult and time consuming than it probably sounds like), bail him out of trouble and he gets a better price on the bike. He comes up with a story about how his brother needs it for a triathlon...he'll kill him...blah blah blah. I felt badly, but I've been that desperate and I truthfully would never expect my bike back. I also wouldn't have been so annoying. I also thought back to my time in that position and wondered...if someone had bailed me out, like he was asking for, would it have made a long term difference. The answer was no...I would have lost it in another way. I learned lessons, and he needs to learn his.

Let the flame wars begin

The only thing I can fault you for is saying maybe.

wow, sounds like a real nightmare...
hope the association of the bike with him doesn't detract from your enjoyment of riding it!

I don't see any reason for a flame-out... sounds like you had an unfortunate experience with an annoying seller, that's all. I would have done the same, from what I read.

Neat bike, though... I've always liked Look, I don't know why.

In the end I could have given a kid back his bike...and I did do this while he was desperate. I suppose I have some uncomfortable thoughts about that and thought others might as well. I think a large part of my gut reaction, slightly guilty, is based on commiseration. I've been where that kid was...desperate, hungry and broke.

Doofus got you mixed up with a Pawn shop. He sold the bike. Hopefully he does not have your address, as I can see him showing up.

I could see that too, and he doesn't.

I feel bad for the kid. I remember those days too and I've watched as my sons have done some stupid things that came close to - but never quite equalled - the stupid thing I did myself.

The thing is this: regardless of how the kid wanted to change things later on, you did a good thing when you bailed him out of a jam originally. The pawn shop would not have likely been much of an angel you know. Don't forget that part.

You know...if you've been there...if you've looked for change under the rug, eaten ramen for a week and worried about the electric, it never really leaves you. Especially if it was your own fault

And a couple of more Looks

That black one is just pure, intense evil. Nice look! (That's not intended to be a pun, by the way, but I guess it kind of is anyway.)

so in the end you kept the bike is this correct and you got it for 220 bucks?

i mean he was bothering you all day to buy it and was desparate to get rid of it. Unfortunately u snooze you loose sort of thing for that kid, that's what impatience gets you.

Not correct...part of what I paid went to getting it out of pawn.

"Fuggedabhoutit"






Call it his "tuition" in the school of hard knocks. Unfortunately, if you try to deal with him you could wind up with some big hassles. Best to avoid these situations in the future.

Life in the big city. Kid's story is BS, IMHO. I lived in Philly, got mugged one time and had a dude show up at my door and offer to "sell" me my wallet back. I told him he looked one of the kids who jumped me and as I was reaching for the tire iron, he "decided" he would "do the right thing"...everyone has an angle. Sometimes legit, Sometimes not. Don't sweat it.