Am I cured?
 

The other day I saw a road bike leaning against a trash can. On a closer it turned out to be a nice benotto, fully pantographed, in my riding range of sizes. Aero Columbus Zeta tubing and Benotto branded Modolo and Ofmega components. No lock or anything, just thrown out. Judging by the rotted tires it probably came of an attic of some sorts.

There was a lot of rust and the chrome in bad shape, but nothing a little elbow grease can't fix. I left it there.

What's wrong with me? When I got home I found myself making ridiculous excuses to myself, like "have another guy have a bit of luck" and "nah, I got plenty bikes already". I even got so far as admitting to myself that I can't miss the cash for new tires, an OA bath, cables and brake pads! Am I cured?

-a confused member

I think you are still sick, just maybe in a different way now. No way I could have left it there.

It would have come home with me!

Yes, you are cured all right.

Heh... I've only found one dumpster bike that didn't look quite literally like it had been it by a bus first, and that one was sized for someone that was approximately a foot shorter than I am.

And did you take it home?

Why I oughta slap you!

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=342833

In a heartbeat. I was able to flip it on Craigslist for a decent sum of money. It was parked out behind the dumpster of one of the LBS near me, a few hours after closing time, with no pedals attached. I suspect that someone had purchased a new toy that day, left the old one behind, and it was too small for the people working at the bike shop (or their girlfriends) for it to have gone home with anyone else.

Lucky you. I have had only one dumpster find. An early Ross mtb built for someone TALL. A few days after I fixed it up a homeless guy on the corner needed new tires for his crap wal-mart bike. I went home, threw the Ross in the truck and took it to him. Best part? He's 6'7"! It fit him like a glove and still see him almost every week riding it around. It's the gift that keeps on giving :)

Yeah, that's probably best. We've a big workshop in the neighborhood which gives junkies a job as bike mechs in exchange for methadone and a sense of self esteem. They restore klunkers and sell them for cheap to people on welfare and such, I hope they got hold of it.

your story would have a different ending if that was an aluminum frame, I reckon.

Good for you. I'd have left it too. I am no longer taking on projects just for the sake of it. I'd rather choose the bike I want (need?). All the bikes that have "found me" ended up being money pits and/or a waste of my time.

What is it they say about free bikes?...

Possibly just a moment of weakness, but it could be a symptom of a deeper issue, perhaps neurological. Have you had your annual physical yet? If not I suggest you make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible.

of being normal?

Uh oh! They've gotten to you! It's a sign the atmospheric spraying is working. New World Order is coming.
:D

Personally, I'd snatched it. Assess it, if not a keeper, passed it along to someone or organization that would properly benefit from it. It's a Benotto, not a department store bike.

;)

:thumb:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arijbOzqM-E

edit: WTF? Just watched this vid and they cut off the all-important last line! :notamused:

you are not cured. you just had a setback.

You're just in remission; it'll come back :)

DD

Just jaded.

Or, like the Kiwis who just competed for the Americas Cup, spent.

We will be having a special service for you. Perhaps we have a laying of wrenches on you so that you will be healed.

I would have brought it home, looked it over and start grabbing spare parts and see if I had tires to fit. Hopefully have it back on the road the next afternoon.

Dear A Confused Member,

In all of my years responding to these letters I have never seen anyone so sick and as perverted as you. I suggest you turn yourself in to the authorities immediately and seek help. No one in their right mind would pass up a perfectly good bicycle.

Abby

PS. I passed on a trash pick Panasonic Sport once hoping someone else would come along and save it. I regretted not at least picking it up and donating it to the Goodwill.

You will hear about this for the rest of your life....FOOL!
you could have taken it home to give to someone else..I have done this also.

you deserve a slap!

donate to local bike coop.

I'd have grabbed it for sure, if only to keep it out of the hands of an alley picker taking it for scrap. Where I live that's a certain fate for anything metallic left alone for > 10 mins.