So I put a bunch of spare stuff I had on Craigslist, including some 27" clincher tires I don't need. A guy came to buy one. When he took a tape measure out to measure the tire I knew he didn't know what he needed... So I asked him, "are you sure this is the right size for your bike? Do you have 27" wheels or 700c?" He didn't know what that meant, but he said, "Oh, I brought the old tire!"

So, great! He pulls it out of his backpack... it's tubular.

I explain that this is a totally different type of tire for a totally different type of wheel, but he's having none of that. The bike shop told him he couldn't get that sort of tire in the US (!) and he needed a regular one. I kept trying to convince him he could order the right tires, and explained how tubulars work (not that I am an expert at all)--but frankly he probably shouldn't be riding tubulars anyway. In the end he insisted on taking the tire. I told him when it didn't work, call me and he could have his 10 bucks back. Sigh.

Maybe when he calls I should ask him to bring the wheels. Hmm.

I had a 6'5 guy show up to buy a 52cm Bianchi one time---I even specified the size range in my ad, mentioning that it would be good for a shorter rider. He insisted on trying it and nearly killed himself on the first pedal stroke when his knee slammed into the drops and he lost his balance. He really wanted a celeste Bianchi, I guess.

When I was ~19yo I bought a new Schwinn SuperSport in the *largest* size. After a year I decided to sell it so I advertised in the local paper. An interested part came out to look at it: a chick. With the seatpost down as far as it could go, she had a hell of a time getting on it, let alone pedaling, but she bought it.

what kind of bike? did he say? :>

He had no idea. He said his friend gave it to him. When he calls back I am going to ask him some more questions... He said he's moving soon. Maybe it's something interesting. (And no, I am not the type of person who would rip someone off, but I would try to get a low but fair price.)

You did the right thing in trying to steer him in the right (tubular) direction. Your advice was spot on re ordering a tubular. Your offer to refund the 10 bucks was also very generous. Alas, some people just won't listen.

One day, probably soon, he will come to understand that he was dealing with a very honest and genuine person who was trying to look after his interests. It's a pity the bike shop he visited was either ignorant or just didn't want to go through the hassle of ordering a tubular for this guy.

I agree, this type of person would be better served if he changed wheels and had clincher rims.

I'll go way out on a limb and suggest that there's a decent chance that bike is hot.

I'd wager it's good...you don't see too much crap with tubulars. I'd offer him a more appropriate bike and help setting it up.

I dunno. He was a middle aged guy, accent I didn't recognize, nerdy type... Just seemed like he didn't know what was going on, seemed nice and not at all shady.

Well, I'll be investigating, that's for sure. Even if just the wheels are decent I'd be happy to take him to the LBS and buy him a brand new wheelset and tires.

I took my first road bike (54cm) about three years ago to my lbs, and stated that I was there to have the bike made into a 56cm, because I had read online that a 56cm would be the perfect fit! That is hilarious! :-)

Flash

ROFLMAO thank you so much, you made my day!

Guy emailed me... Said he was able to mount the tire and it "seems to be working." Huh. Well, either it's not working at all and he'll find out when he rides it, or maybe someone had mounted a tubular tire in a clincher rim, and that's why the LBS told him to use a clincher.

Anyway, I asked him about the bike.

Me and my brother were trying to sell a 67cm Fuji sports 12 for like a month. Finally someone shows up who is 6'0, we tried to tell him it was too big but he insisted on buying it for a fixie conversion.

And?

those damn fixie kids

Subscribing...

... please continue!!!!

+1

^^

Got to talking to an older guy the other night who used to be a shop rat and racer and we got to talking about what we liked about new stuff and old stuff and he said that since I liked the old stuff so much he would bring me two pairs of his old tubular racing wheels that had seen little to no use.

Said the tubulars were in fine shape and that they were on high and low flange Campagnolo Record hubs from 80-81.

Poor me.

subscribing . . .

the suspense is killing me

Lucky bast.... well, they're going to the right place.....

So, he mounted a clincher tire on a tubular rim. Then went for a spin. On the streets of Brooklyn. You might not hear back from him.