Considering buying a MOTH, worth it?
 

I was just in a bike destroyng car crash and I am in the market for a new bike. I saw this MOTH on CL and can really find almost no information about these bike. The seller wants $510. Im not sure of the components (im guessing some cheapo wheels and stuff). but I would like some haggling fodder.

any opinions?

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MOTH fixed-gear 56cm bike mint condition - almost brand new

bike sells for much more... selling it for a friend who is out of the state and needs money badly. he just got it and hardly rode it. this pic is not of actual bike... same basic condition...like new. the size is 56cm (he's 6' 1"). give me a call. 646.345.1944.

thanks

I have watched that bike make it's way from owner to owner on CL. Seems like a decent bike, maybe overpriced though.

Castle Hill Bycicle Center on Tremont Ave in the BX has a couple Moth bikes for sale, I think they were going for $450 with some decent components. The wheels that were on it look like deep Vees.

They are nice well made frames.
They were a limited production run from my understanding.

that bike will eat holes in your clothes

Hmmm

http://www.bikecult.com/works/bikesframes/Moth08.html

hahahaha i was thinking the same thing.

Thanks for that...I'm gonna check them out. I've been looking for a moth frame for a bit.

I have one and use it for messenger work (ie: ride the hell out of it). Got the frame and fork for $250 brand new.

I love it!!

from what I know it was designed in NJ and is related to the discontinued Duracycle line that was one of the first affordable track frames built for the street.

Yes, a search for Duracycle Moth will turn up some pics of the original which was lugged. I remember seeing them around the city being used by messengers.

My understanding is that at some point in the last 10 or so years, Ami who owns Busy B Bikes on 6th Street between Avenues A and B designed the bike as a low-cost/affordable aluminum track bike prior to starting Busy B Bike. A few years ago when Jeff who owns Continuum Cycles (Avenue B between 12 and 13th Streets) and the new Jam Pony Bikes (in Harlem) worked for Ami, he got some of the frames painted half red and half black when he was requesting the shipment of frames half half of the frames in red and half of the frames in black. Jeff sells Moth frames at both shops now. I can't comment about how they ride but they you certainly see messengers in this city abusing the hell out of them. I can't n4th)had some

Continuum has them with a green paint job and City Bikes on 38th st. has them in black

Ok, So i just went and looked at the Moth. it was a little disappointing. I had a sora front brake caliper adn a tektro lever, joytech hubs with cheapo alex rims, plastic pedals, a no-name crank an a truvativ hussafelt stem (which was waaaaay to short, im talkin like 40mm) and a crap saddle. I offered him 400, which i think is still too much, though I decided to sleep on it and consult my team (yes that means you!)

what do you think?

edit: jalco rims with joytech hubs

You did open up with "it was a little disappointing". I think you know.

They look pretty ass, but who knows how they ride....

does anybody know if you can get these kind of frames drilled for a rear brake? (i know sooo, lame, but i commute and Ive already been hit by one car this week, and that sucks baaad).

It's got a seatstay bridge so putting on a rear brake shouldn't be a problem. Get the brake first, line it up as close as you can, then mark the bridge and drill. I'd drill the hole a little small; you can probably just tap the bridge with the steel bolt that way. Be sure to put washers on both sides of the bridge. Adjust brake pads for the rim.