Track bikes and conversions are very different beasts. If you want a track bike, go buy a new or used track bike.

That being said, there are plenty of perfectly functional bikes in dumpsters and thrift stores that need nothing more than a good scrubbing and some grease and often new rubber, bearings and a chain. These same bikes can be fixed with the addition of a track cog and some loctite if that strikes your fancy.

A decent thiftstore or dumpster bike + $75 + 3 hrs = fun, functional transportation that costs a few pennies per mile to operate. I can't imagine why anyone would counsel against this. If you want to ride fixed on a limited budget this option makes the most sense, especially if you have some tools or access to them through a co-op.

If you want to help out the noobs, volunteer at a co-op or hold a clinic in your backyard.

I have found too many treasures to list. Many where given a modest amount of attention and then sold for a healthy profit. Some became parts donors. Some have become my most beloved bikes.

The only grain of truth in the OP is that SOME of the bikes in the trash are truly trash.

jim

How's this for dumpster diving:



This of course was one of those rare instances when you actually find some good ****...

Anyways, I personally am not a fan of conversions but if I had next to nothing to spend on a bike, I'd prob go that route too. When I started out getting into road/ss bikes I had the money to buy something nice though I chose not to. I found an old bike belonging to a friend and kicked around on it for a while. When I realized how much I enjoyed it THEN I went ahead and bought a proper whip. I mean, who wants to invest $4-500 bones on something they may not get into?...

Dude, did you read the thread you linked to? You are sort of making my point.

That guy at cyclingwmd wrote of his finds: "Most of them are either ****e frames or totally busted up."

EDIT: Oh, wait. That's you! So, was it worth your time?

Wow, I like the way you quoted that post. Here's what Carleton left out:

"Most of them are either ****e frames or totally busted up. However, there are a few good ones mixed in there. Not mention all the bits and pieces I can strip off em'."

I really like how you took a piece of it way out of context. It really shows lots of integrity, yknow?

"Ladies" razors have the blade angle set at 10degrees, while men's razors have the blade angle set at 8degrees. Men hold razors at a different angle than women. Shaving legs VS. shaving the face= different blade angles.

Well, the two Kestral carbons are kinda messed up but the litespeed, trek, fuji are totally fine amongst others. I plan on building those up eventually for a couple of friends to kick around on. The rest I'll most likely give away or donate to a co-op. A few would also make for some nice scrap material for tall bikes or tandems etc.. So I guess in this rare instance, it was worth it...

Yeah, screw dumpster-diving, man. Oh wait, that's just stupid. Evidence: Seven Cycles Sola Ti mtb frameset IN THE ****ING TRASH, salvaged, sold for over $100 despite the fact that it needed a new downtube. Also, classic quill stems, nice old steel drop bars, cool BMX hubs, lightly-damaged clothing items, promotional materials from manufacturers, etc etc etc.

Yeah, it helps to know what you're looking for, but dumpster diving can be totally worth it.

How is that much different than:

I was just trying to show an example of when dumpster diving is good. You'll notice almost ALL of those frames were made recently. I only said 'most' of them were ****e on my blog because I was being a snob. BTW, just so you know: most doesn't mean all... Sorry if that didn't come through properly in my original post...

The Lightspeed, Trek, and Fujis all appear to have vertical drops. Do you plan to make a SS/FG or roadies out of them?


(For the noobs: Vertical drops require a "magic gear ratio" of cog + chainwheel + chainstay length or an eccentric bottom bracket to make a FG. A tensioner for a SS)

Looks like a bit of it was missing when you reported on it.

Nice work. I like.

(Coming from someone who rode a decent conversion with overly nice components.)

I dig the schwinn.

I can get what Carleton is saying, though. Some stuff just isn't worth working on, just because you got it for free.

Bravo, via iPhone.

[QUOTE=carleton;5639264]The Lightspeed, Trek, and Fujis all appear to have vertical drops. Do you plan to make a SS/FG or roadies out of them?

I was just illustrating your point of when Dumpster Diving is good. Modern frames as opposed to the usual garbage. As for doing any conversions, maybe with a couple. Not sure yet...

Trash has been good to me. I live in the Philly suburbs. I pulled a Fuji Touring Series IV from the trash while walking my dog. Sold on e-bay for $200+. (It was too small for me) I have pulled 11 complete, usable bikes from the trash and donated then to the local co-op (bike church ) in Philly. It is good all around and I get a tax deduction. Probably better to pull something out of the trash regardless if you know what it is or worth, try and figure out if it has any value (hello c&v forum) and ask the opinion of someone knowledgeable. You are correct that not everything is conversion worthy, but you won't know for sure until you ask someone.

On a side note, I once answered a CL add for a Merlin (not the new one, a Bob Jackson built Reynolds,531 Merlin) that I was buying for a friend. When I bought the bike, ($200) the guy selling asked if I wanted the other bikes. There was no mention of "other bikes" in the add. For an additional $40 I got a 1973 Schwinn Paramount P-13 (rough shape) and a carbon fiber Specialized Epic Allez from the 80's. I had to make him take the $40 as both bikes were "going in the trash" that week. These were the last pieces of an estate clean out. Both trash bikes were parted out and I have made over $600 so far on the frames, Campy & Shimano components etc.

Good on ya!

Short version

Carleton: No.

I actually agree with both sides of the fence in this thread. Dumpster diving and restoration can be awesome and rewarding - but you need to know what you're looking for and what you're doing. There's no point in restoring an entry level frame from 30 years back. For a complete n00b it's just gambling because he won't be able to separate an amazing find from real junk.

With proper maintenance and attention to detail, you can make most stuff in the trash work for you. No one can convince me different. I've built several conversions from all scrap, and they perform just as well as anything else I've had. Carleton is bitter for some reason about people trying to be creative.

..
ohnoes dumpster diving poliz

The folks in the C&V would like to disagree:

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/355403-bicycles-saved-dump-rubbish-tip.html

Several Paramounts and other equally fine bikes saved from the trash in that thread.

Re: cyclingwmd pile of bikes

Holy ****, I think I am moving to NYC. Just for the dumpsters. Probably won't be able to afford actual housing anyway....