Is This Bike Friday Worth It?
 

"........ Black Friday bicycle - $600 (Monrovia)

I have a Black Friday folding bicycle that I don't use anymore. It is in perfect working order and if you know about these bike they are really expensive. I need it gone ASAP and will be willing to take REASONABLE offers. I feel bad just letting it sit there and would like someone to put it to good use. Call me for more info.

Daniel
626 xxx-xxxx......."-http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sgv...797424868.html

I post some rather interesting posts on this form in the past. This one pip my interest with the photo below. The contact person listed on the Craigslist ad is "Daniel." Yet the plaque on the bike shows another name-looks something like "John Jennison"?-entirely. I present the photo for your own browsing and amusement.

Now for the million dollar questions. Would you buy this bike? Even with some grime and a little rust build-up? Especially with the names not matching? And pressure for a quick sale ASAP?

Chain stay looks a Pocket Llama, but brakes look like it could be an early Pocket Rocket. Based upon name shown, Green Gear could likely give more info about the bike based upon the name on the tag. Little hard to tell much more about condition of the bike w/o an over-all pic.

Rust on the front derailleur and condition of chain do not make it look like it's in "perfect working order". Also, knowledge level of seller (or lack there of) indicates the bike is likely not his. Might be able to get it for several hundred less (which would likely be a bargain), but you could find out it was stolen, too.

Lou

Sorry about not citing the ad. I forgot to put the link in! Now you have it!

Its Craig's list, go over and look at it.. insuffient info on the ad..

top tube length = size on those..

Very good bikes.....just make sure it is your size.

They do get resold with the name tags on them. I sold my NWT with my "Custom made for" tag on it. However I was able to provide the new owner with the original receipt.

I would suspect stolen or a KDO flipper.

Aaron :)

Rust around aluminum parts might mean theyre corroded together..

see all the "how do I remove a Stuck Stem/seatpost?" threads.

Can someone check with Bike Friday to see if this bike was every called in as stolen?

I sent the thread URL to Walter at Bike Friday asking if the bike was ever reported stolen.

Lou

Received a reply from Tim Link (Cust Serv) at BF this afternoon.

This bike is NOT on their stolen list.

Personally, I'd still be wary.

Lou

wary of what? i don't understand exactly what the problem is. it's an older bike that has probably changed hands a few times. if you buy a used bike the chances are not that high that you will be buying it from the original owner. nothing suspicious about that. additionally, there are numerous non-criminal reasons why a person would want to get rid of something quickly.

the ad is still up...

the bike looks rusty and ****ty. given that forks and frame are not bent or otherwise compromised, i would offer the guy 350 and buy it for 400. strip it down and clean it. maybe even have it blasted and powder coated. im guessing this bike was built in the 90s. the llamas from the 90s were really well-made. lots of fillet brazing and careful attention to detail. frankly, had i been in LA, i would have already picked this bike up..

When the seller describes a bike that looks like that as being in perfect condition, and says it's supposed to be worth a lot of money... personally, I'd rather deal with a knowledgeable seller, but to each his own.

NOTE: If we knew the serial # we could find out the actual mfg. date of the bike.

Lou

Exactly

FYI: That ad is still up on the L.A./SGV CL.

Guess folks on the West Coast are not as gung-ho about this bike as some of the East Coast posters on this Forum.

Interesting.

Or simply cautious as the old adage always seems to prove true with prices and situations like the one above "If it seems too good to be true, it probably is." Pessimistic? Perhaps. But in this day and age, it does not hurt to be a bit cautious side when dealing with expensive things like a bicycle. This story seems to repeat itself multiple times on the online ads and rarely is even scrutinized beyond taking the time to write out a check (and losing the bike in the end as it was "hot":

"............After months of searching, detectives found the bicycle advertised on Craigslist and began searching for it. The advertisement, posted with a picture of the bike, convinced detectives that the customized bike was Nicodemus...........Detectives traced the thief's IP address to Antelope Valley, where the ad was originally posted............Although the thief has yet to be apprehended, detectives found the bike more than 500 miles away. The Craigslister had sold the bicycle for $800 to a man in Oregon.“He thought it was a really good deal,” Herman said. The man voluntarily handed over the bicycle to the Crescenta Valley detectives after they told him about the alleged theft........."-http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/lo...167255425.html

Although for most of us not lucky enough to have a local law enforcement that cares like the above article, here is the final say on what most of us have to rely on should your bike is stolen in Southern California:

"........Lastly, if your bike is stolen, LAPD suggests you monitor Craigslist, where many stolen bikes are sold. If you see your bike listed, call your detective........"-http://www.dailynews.com/crime/ci_21...k-your-bike-at

It's all up to you! Because most are not as lucky as the man discussed in Post #15 above that has local law enforcement that are willing to do the hunting. It's mostly dumped in your lap.

Troll.......thread.....its not the same bike

What are you saying? I am the original poster and developer of this thread!