Would you buy this?
12-16-11 | 05:44 PM
#26
Senior Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,864
Likes: 2,467
From: Snohomish, WA.
A lot of forum members do nothing but throw some grease in a BB that should be thrown away, put cheapie tires and crap housing/cables on a bike and then charge $100-300 more than they paid for it. I love that this guy actually is breaking the frames down, having them powdercoated and selling a decent bike. Hopefully this will put the low end flipper/predators to bed in that market.
Do you have any hands on experience with bikes? Or are you just a big talker. I'm sure a few people here would like to see and critique your work
BTW, what's with the sudden interest in old steel? Aren't you trying to put a ban on any bike that's not aluminum, and smaller than 70cm?
12-16-11 | 08:34 PM
#28
Thread Starter
Hogosha Sekai
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 6,674
Likes: 26
From: STS
Bikes: Leader 725, Centurion Turbo, Scwhinn Peloton, Schwinn Premis, GT Tequesta, Bridgestone CB-2,72' Centurion Lemans, 72 Raleigh Competition
A lot of forum members do nothing but throw some grease in a BB that should be thrown away, put cheapie tires and crap housing/cables on a bike and then charge $100-300 more than they paid for it. I love that this guy actually is breaking the frames down, having them powdercoated and selling a decent bike. Hopefully this will put the low end flipper/predators to bed in that market.
12-16-11 | 08:51 PM
#30
aka Tom Reingold
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,299
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From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
That's a perfectly fine bike, especially if you don't want some known brand. It should sell for $300, though.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
12-16-11 | 09:16 PM
#31
.
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 12,769
Likes: 38
From: Rocket City, No'ala
Bikes: 2014 Trek Domane 5.2, 1985 Pinarello Treviso, 1990 Gardin Shred, 2006 Bianchi San Jose
The only areas I know of with a higher cost of living are basically, SF NYC LA and a few of the major southern cities... it's pretty much worth it though for the weather, the beauty, and if your a wine-o you'll be in heaven.
And to give an indicator (my favored shop doesn't have anything high end in the online store right this sec, but this is a more realistic shop I go to.)
150 for this
And to give an indicator (my favored shop doesn't have anything high end in the online store right this sec, but this is a more realistic shop I go to.)
150 for this
12-16-11 | 09:20 PM
#32
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9,204
Likes: 5,403
From: SF Bay Area, East bay
Bikes: Miyata 618 GT, Marinoni, Kestral 200, Soma double cross 2002 Trek 5200, KHS Flite, Koga Miyata, Schwinn Spitfire 5, Mondia Special, Univega Alpina, Miyata team Ti, Santa Cruz Highball, Waterford rs11
It would be OK if they sold. But they plaster up the board with bikes that are overpriced for weeks. It might not be so bad if they loaded them all into one post and then updated it ,maybe, once a day. What I've seen on a few rants is that he's pissed a few people off for one reason or another.
12-16-11 | 09:23 PM
#33
.
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 12,769
Likes: 38
From: Rocket City, No'ala
Bikes: 2014 Trek Domane 5.2, 1985 Pinarello Treviso, 1990 Gardin Shred, 2006 Bianchi San Jose
HA HA HA. I just did the same thing with the same frame. Mine came from a dumpster. That's a Maxima Sport I'm pretty sure. The way the stays meet the rear dropouts is pretty abrupt and cheaply done.
Some of you saw the thread, but I'll repost the pics.
Dumpster dive bike. Parts bin junk parts only-- except for the campy DT (from my mother's Atala) and a seatpost clamp stolen temporarily from my wife's Giant. Stripped, painted, and built up all on black Friday.
Investment = zero. Worth= 150, tops. It's a magnalloy frame. I don't think that univega frame in the bay area CL ad is any step up from what I had here.
Excellent marketing, nice build, and good clean vintagey parts, but kind of gets a WTF from me.
Some of you saw the thread, but I'll repost the pics.
Dumpster dive bike. Parts bin junk parts only-- except for the campy DT (from my mother's Atala) and a seatpost clamp stolen temporarily from my wife's Giant. Stripped, painted, and built up all on black Friday.
Investment = zero. Worth= 150, tops. It's a magnalloy frame. I don't think that univega frame in the bay area CL ad is any step up from what I had here.
Excellent marketing, nice build, and good clean vintagey parts, but kind of gets a WTF from me.
I take it your time is worth zero. And those parts that you used for that bike, they came totally free of charge and with no time on your part consumed? I think not.
It seems those that disagree with Bike Czars business plan are really upset that their customers would rather simply buy a ready to ride bike than spend days, weeks, months patrolling dumpsters, estate sales, Goodwill stores, storm drains for bikes and drag them home to be fixed up instantly with no time consumed on their part and any replacement parts needed just magically appearing out of a pile of parts that just happen to be sitting around the house.
Is that about it?
12-16-11 | 09:36 PM
#34
The space coyote lied.
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 48,841
Likes: 11,032
From: dusk 'til dawn.
Bikes: everywhere
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/bik/2756775309.html I think in a similar price range given this is same area.. I'll take this over that "resto" or whatever any day.
+1! Even though I've never heard of Renn DeWitt, looks like a beauty!
12-16-11 | 09:38 PM
#35
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,630
Likes: 18
From: Rhode Island (an obscure suburb of Connecticut)
Bikes: one of each
Yeah, looks like a nice solid build to me. Probably what a decent Univega would have sold for originally if you take inflation into account. I can't afford to have that kind of bike, nor can I afford to live in Marin (I know I tried).
Seems like people with lots of money don't have lots of time for getting greasy. You can't assume sanity in most of the population there (not sayin that's a bad thing).
I don't see putting my name on a frame I didn't build.
Seems like people with lots of money don't have lots of time for getting greasy. You can't assume sanity in most of the population there (not sayin that's a bad thing).
I don't see putting my name on a frame I didn't build.
12-16-11 | 09:43 PM
#36
The space coyote lied.
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 48,841
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From: dusk 'til dawn.
Bikes: everywhere
I heard tell of another shop doing repaints and putting their own name on bikes. They were doing a lot of stuff that's easier to find for cheap/free, however. There were a couple of pseudo-mixte rigid MTBs on their site, for instance.
I mean sure you can occasionally find cheap/free upper mid-range Univegas but they typically go for at least $150 in just OK condition around here. Once you strip it, PC it, add new tires, cables, brakepads, NOS chainrings and figure your manhours....
I mean sure you can occasionally find cheap/free upper mid-range Univegas but they typically go for at least $150 in just OK condition around here. Once you strip it, PC it, add new tires, cables, brakepads, NOS chainrings and figure your manhours....
12-17-11 | 10:42 AM
#37
Thread Starter
Hogosha Sekai
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 6,674
Likes: 26
From: STS
Bikes: Leader 725, Centurion Turbo, Scwhinn Peloton, Schwinn Premis, GT Tequesta, Bridgestone CB-2,72' Centurion Lemans, 72 Raleigh Competition
I take it your time is worth zero. And those parts that you used for that bike, they came totally free of charge and with no time on your part consumed? I think not.
It seems those that disagree with Bike Czars business plan are really upset that their customers would rather simply buy a ready to ride bike than spend days, weeks, months patrolling dumpsters, estate sales, Goodwill stores, storm drains for bikes and drag them home to be fixed up instantly with no time consumed on their part and any replacement parts needed just magically appearing out of a pile of parts that just happen to be sitting around the house.
Is that about it?
It seems those that disagree with Bike Czars business plan are really upset that their customers would rather simply buy a ready to ride bike than spend days, weeks, months patrolling dumpsters, estate sales, Goodwill stores, storm drains for bikes and drag them home to be fixed up instantly with no time consumed on their part and any replacement parts needed just magically appearing out of a pile of parts that just happen to be sitting around the house.
Is that about it?
12-17-11 | 11:09 AM
#38
)) <> ((
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,409
Likes: 4
From: San Diego, CA
it's fine.
velo-cult in san diego does the same thing. they "re-created" a schwinn traveler for $1500 a few years ago that is probably still in their shop. i think that's a little crazy, but the OP's example isn't too far fetched.
lots of folks aren't into fixing up bikes. lots of folks like classic stylings. lots of folks like nice paint. lots of folks have more money than time.
velo-cult in san diego does the same thing. they "re-created" a schwinn traveler for $1500 a few years ago that is probably still in their shop. i think that's a little crazy, but the OP's example isn't too far fetched.
lots of folks aren't into fixing up bikes. lots of folks like classic stylings. lots of folks like nice paint. lots of folks have more money than time.
12-17-11 | 11:25 AM
#39
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 9,204
Likes: 5,403
From: SF Bay Area, East bay
Bikes: Miyata 618 GT, Marinoni, Kestral 200, Soma double cross 2002 Trek 5200, KHS Flite, Koga Miyata, Schwinn Spitfire 5, Mondia Special, Univega Alpina, Miyata team Ti, Santa Cruz Highball, Waterford rs11
He is a business and really shouldn't be using craigs to sell... but he does get some nice bikes https://store.bicycleczar.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=131 .
Dallas at https://www.citizenchain.com/ does really nice work and is a forum member.
Dallas at https://www.citizenchain.com/ does really nice work and is a forum member.
12-17-11 | 11:52 AM
#41
The space coyote lied.
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 48,841
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From: dusk 'til dawn.
Bikes: everywhere
Well, actually I shouldn't say "I'd buy", since I'm not really the target market here. I buy stuff that usually still needs new tires, repacked bearings, new cables, etc. for well under $100 usually. Then I go blow $14-50 on tires, $5 on tubes, $10 on cables/housing, $6-15 on bar tape, spend 2-6 hours fiddling with bike, etc.
Last edited by LesterOfPuppets; 12-17-11 at 12:15 PM.
12-17-11 | 11:54 AM
#42
Senior Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,864
Likes: 2,467
From: Snohomish, WA.
It's worth what someone ends up paying for it.
Any competent wrench here could do the same thing to any similar bike. There is little or no market for a shiiny new paint low end USED bike...for $550. The ad does not state anything about new hubs, headset, freewheel, spokes, rims, framesaver, etc. It's not a complete rebuild(my take on a complete rebuild, is new everything).
Most any bike seller has enough common sense to know that nobody wants to dump that much cash into a cheap bike.
Any competent wrench here could do the same thing to any similar bike. There is little or no market for a shiiny new paint low end USED bike...for $550. The ad does not state anything about new hubs, headset, freewheel, spokes, rims, framesaver, etc. It's not a complete rebuild(my take on a complete rebuild, is new everything).
Most any bike seller has enough common sense to know that nobody wants to dump that much cash into a cheap bike.
Last edited by Roger M; 12-17-11 at 12:00 PM.
12-17-11 | 12:15 PM
#43
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,287
Likes: 15
From: the 904, Jax fl
^^This^^
Very few on here are going to pay that.
But we are a small % of the marketplace.
I also agree that this type of marketing could hurt the "flipper".
It's their bussiness plan, if it works for them, good for them. I think it will.
If not, then they will have failed.
Most people, who don't know a lot about bikes, don't want to search out parts, give OA baths, and fix stuff.
They want to pump up their tires and go for a ride. They also would like a shinny new looking bike.
Of course YMMV!
Very few on here are going to pay that.
But we are a small % of the marketplace.
I also agree that this type of marketing could hurt the "flipper".
It's their bussiness plan, if it works for them, good for them. I think it will.
If not, then they will have failed.
Most people, who don't know a lot about bikes, don't want to search out parts, give OA baths, and fix stuff.
They want to pump up their tires and go for a ride. They also would like a shinny new looking bike.
Of course YMMV!
12-17-11 | 12:18 PM
#44
The space coyote lied.
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 48,841
Likes: 11,032
From: dusk 'til dawn.
Bikes: everywhere
I wouldn't call that bike low end. Upper-mid, in my book. I think in that year Univega might have had only one or two tiers up from that frame-wise and at least two tiers below, frame-wise.
12-17-11 | 12:19 PM
#45
Thread Starter
Hogosha Sekai
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 6,674
Likes: 26
From: STS
Bikes: Leader 725, Centurion Turbo, Scwhinn Peloton, Schwinn Premis, GT Tequesta, Bridgestone CB-2,72' Centurion Lemans, 72 Raleigh Competition
There's an identifiable CL seller that sells such bikes sans-repaint, with new tires, NOS chainrings, new cables/housing, repacked bearings, etc for $300? I'd buy from him/her instead, since that's probably not a $250 paintjob. Maybe $150.
Well, actually I shouldn't say "I'd buy", since I'm not really the target market here. I buy stuff that usually still needs new tires, repacked bearings, new cables, etc. for well under $100 usually. Then I go blow $14-50 on tires, $5 on tubes, $10 on cables/housing, $6-15 on bar tape, spend 2-6 hours fiddling with bike, etc.
Well, actually I shouldn't say "I'd buy", since I'm not really the target market here. I buy stuff that usually still needs new tires, repacked bearings, new cables, etc. for well under $100 usually. Then I go blow $14-50 on tires, $5 on tubes, $10 on cables/housing, $6-15 on bar tape, spend 2-6 hours fiddling with bike, etc.
12-17-11 | 12:21 PM
#46
The space coyote lied.
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 48,841
Likes: 11,032
From: dusk 'til dawn.
Bikes: everywhere
It's their bussiness plan, if it works for them, good for them. I think it will.
If not, then they will have failed.
Most people, who don't know a lot about bikes, don't want to search out parts, give OA baths, and fix stuff.
They want to pump up their tires and go for a ride. They also would like a shinny new looking bike.
Of course YMMV!
If not, then they will have failed.
Most people, who don't know a lot about bikes, don't want to search out parts, give OA baths, and fix stuff.
They want to pump up their tires and go for a ride. They also would like a shinny new looking bike.
Of course YMMV!
12-17-11 | 12:32 PM
#47
The space coyote lied.
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 48,841
Likes: 11,032
From: dusk 'til dawn.
Bikes: everywhere
We had a Thruster Fixie posted for $200 here the other day. The guy had already wasted the rear tire, removed the brakes (but left the bolts and washers on (jingle bells). This bike is easily worth 3x that. 
The guy has since lowered price to $85. Still a ripoff considering they sell for $99-109 new.
The guy has since lowered price to $85. Still a ripoff considering they sell for $99-109 new.
12-17-11 | 12:38 PM
#48
SE Wis
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 11,555
Likes: 4,332
From: Milwaukee, WI
Bikes: '68 Raleigh Sprite, '02 Raleigh C500, '84 Raleigh Gran Prix, '91 Trek 400, 2013 Novara Randonee, 1990 Trek 970
I'd rather spend my $550 on something like this.
https://milwaukee.craigslist.org/bik/2757134564.html
https://milwaukee.craigslist.org/bik/2757134564.html
12-17-11 | 12:39 PM
#49
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 6,944
Likes: 853
From: Wilmette, IL
This is how it works.
Example:
Purchase beat and battered Schwinn LeTour - $80
Tear apart bike down to the frame.
Repaint frame complete with custom pinstriping.
New tires, tubes, cables, and misc. - $60
List on CL for $225.
Relist on CL for 200.
Relist on CL for 175.
Sell for $160! Woohoo! Made $20
Next bike please.
Example:
Purchase beat and battered Schwinn LeTour - $80
Tear apart bike down to the frame.
Repaint frame complete with custom pinstriping.
New tires, tubes, cables, and misc. - $60
List on CL for $225.
Relist on CL for 200.
Relist on CL for 175.
Sell for $160! Woohoo! Made $20
Next bike please.
12-17-11 | 12:53 PM
#50
The space coyote lied.
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 48,841
Likes: 11,032
From: dusk 'til dawn.
Bikes: everywhere
Or...
Buy 1991 GT Outpost in really good condition for $7.50.
Wash. Repack hubs and BB. Lube all derailer and brake pivots. Lube cables, replace RD cable and rear cable loop.
List for $90 for 3 weeks, sell for $75.
Woohoo, made $73.50. Plus the month or so of fun riding it around, that's worth a lot to me.
Buy 1991 GT Outpost in really good condition for $7.50.
Wash. Repack hubs and BB. Lube all derailer and brake pivots. Lube cables, replace RD cable and rear cable loop.
List for $90 for 3 weeks, sell for $75.
Woohoo, made $73.50. Plus the month or so of fun riding it around, that's worth a lot to me.