Is a used bike from a thrift store okay?
07-22-12, 08:15 PM
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Is a used bike from a thrift store okay?
I found several used bikes at a thrift store. One of them is a Diamond Back bike, which I thought was from Di ck's sporting goods. I know many don't like those bikes and they're not the best or whatever, but they are probably better than walmart bikes (I had one once. It was terrible.)
The bike is $50. It rides okay, shift gears smooth to me. Is it dumb to get a bike like this? Thanks.
The bike is $50. It rides okay, shift gears smooth to me. Is it dumb to get a bike like this? Thanks.
07-22-12, 08:17 PM
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If you like it and think the price is good then buy it...
07-22-12, 08:21 PM
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It was most likely not checked over by a mechanic before going out on the floor. It could be fine, or it could have some problems that most people would not notice right away (loose bottom bracket, loose headset, etc). That's the risk you take when buying used bikes.
07-22-12, 09:12 PM
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Not to be offensive but do you know that the bike is the right frame size for you? So long as it seems to be in decent working order, no rust, is the right size frame, and you like it I dont see why not.
07-23-12, 06:26 AM
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Diamondback is considered a low to mid level brand, however they have made higher end bikes in the past. As long as the bike fits and works properly it is probably a good deal if it is the type of bike you want for your needs.
Aaron
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ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
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Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
07-23-12, 08:05 AM
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Just take the bike to the nearest bicycle co-op. Purchase a membership at the co-op and have the mechanics there assist you with the inspection of your bike. If components need adjusting or replacing, you will most assuredly learn to do it there.
An object shaped like a bicycle, that has properly installed quality components, is a bicycle!
An object shaped like a bicycle, that has properly installed quality components, is a bicycle!
07-23-12, 08:52 AM
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Does everyone on this forum have acces to a bike co-op?
07-23-12, 09:11 AM
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Diamond back is another resold brand name , these days..
the company that made the reputation is different than the one using it now.
the company that made the reputation is different than the one using it now.
07-23-12, 11:42 AM
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Originally Posted by tagaproject6
Does everyone on this forum have acces to a bike co-op?
07-23-12, 12:04 PM
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Originally Posted by tagaproject6
Does everyone on this forum have acces to a bike co-op?
07-23-12, 12:32 PM
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$50 is a good price for a working bike. it won't be your last bike and it is cheap so if it fits and is the kind of bike you want then sure, get it. be sure the brakes work and get a helmet! se sure the wheels spin true watch as they pass the brake pads. can you take it for a test ride and test all the gears? and brakes?
in my area we have an AWESOME place called the Cambridge Antique Market and not many know about the deciated staff assembling and fixing old bikes for students. Come here and buy your bike! :-)
https://www.marketantique.com/cambridg.htm
They have about 100 used bikes for sale and you might just get exactly what you're looking for. Cheap tires at tubes at least! :-) I never found a bike for myself there but came pretty close a couple times.
I did sell them some old bikes though. I didn't get much $$ but they were glad to pick up some inventory.
in my area we have an AWESOME place called the Cambridge Antique Market and not many know about the deciated staff assembling and fixing old bikes for students. Come here and buy your bike! :-)
https://www.marketantique.com/cambridg.htm
They have about 100 used bikes for sale and you might just get exactly what you're looking for. Cheap tires at tubes at least! :-) I never found a bike for myself there but came pretty close a couple times.
I did sell them some old bikes though. I didn't get much $$ but they were glad to pick up some inventory.
Last edited by rumrunn6; 07-23-12 at 12:36 PM.
07-23-12, 12:46 PM
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Originally Posted by fietsbob
Diamond back is another resold brand name , these days..
the company that made the reputation is different than the one using it now.
the company that made the reputation is different than the one using it now.
07-23-12, 02:43 PM
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Originally Posted by tagaproject6
Does everyone on this forum have acces to a bike co-op?
07-23-12, 06:57 PM
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Originally Posted by rumrunn6
$50 is a good price for a working bike. it won't be your last bike and it is cheap so if it fits and is the kind of bike you want then sure, get it. be sure the brakes work and get a helmet! se sure the wheels spin true watch as they pass the brake pads. can you take it for a test ride and test all the gears? and brakes?
in my area we have an AWESOME place called the Cambridge Antique Market and not many know about the deciated staff assembling and fixing old bikes for students. Come here and buy your bike! :-)
https://www.marketantique.com/cambridg.htm
They have about 100 used bikes for sale and you might just get exactly what you're looking for. Cheap tires at tubes at least! :-) I never found a bike for myself there but came pretty close a couple times.
I did sell them some old bikes though. I didn't get much $$ but they were glad to pick up some inventory.
in my area we have an AWESOME place called the Cambridge Antique Market and not many know about the deciated staff assembling and fixing old bikes for students. Come here and buy your bike! :-)
https://www.marketantique.com/cambridg.htm
They have about 100 used bikes for sale and you might just get exactly what you're looking for. Cheap tires at tubes at least! :-) I never found a bike for myself there but came pretty close a couple times.
I did sell them some old bikes though. I didn't get much $$ but they were glad to pick up some inventory.
07-23-12, 08:00 PM
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If I can adopt a bike from the trash pile (and I have several times), you can most certainly acquire a bike from the thrift store. Enjoy it.
07-24-12, 07:29 AM
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re: "adopt a bike from the trash pile" that's how I got back into biking. found an old red MTB on a pile of garbage bags in Harvard square some kid must have thrown it out his window ...
07-24-12, 06:49 PM
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Originally Posted by tagaproject6
Does everyone on this forum have acces to a bike co-op?
Aaron
__________________
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
07-25-12, 04:41 PM
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That's where I got my road bike from. $6.50, plus taxes. $57, plus taxes later, I have an awesome road bike. That was back in 04 and I still have/ride it.
07-25-12, 05:06 PM
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Diamondback and Raleigh bikes are both manufactured by Kinesis, based in Taiwan. The same company that makes Motobecane, Gravity, Mercier, Dawes, and Windsor bicycles, for Bikesdirect.com........
07-25-12, 05:27 PM
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Originally Posted by Midnight Biker
Diamondback and Raleigh bikes are both manufactured by Kinesis, based in Taiwan. The same company that makes Motobecane, Gravity, Mercier, Dawes, and Windsor bicycles, for Bikesdirect.com........
PS.
I think that's something that only a green person would do!
07-25-12, 08:18 PM
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On a business trip to Santa Cruz I bought this bike at the Salvation Army thrift store for $40.00. I chose it because it was the only bike in the store that was ready to roll. I was staying downtown, so it was adequate to get me around and out to the beach and the boardwalk. I fit right into the Santa Cruz scene, I wasn't the only middle age man on a bmx bike. I even used it to commute to my job one day with the bus to help. At the end of the trip, I dropped it off at the Santa Cruz Bike Church and thought I got my money's worth.
I even used it to commute to my job one day with the bus to help. At the end of the trip, I dropped it off at the Santa Cruz Bike Church and thought I got my money's worth.
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07-25-12, 08:38 PM
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I built one good bike out of two $10 thrift store bikes and sold for $40, then modified a cheap Huffy/Jesse James chopper with the leftover parts that I rode until the odd ball 20" x 4" rear tire failed.
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