PriorBlog

I eventually got $1000 from my old job to go towards a replacement for my damaged bike frame.  The cost of a replacement frame with the labor to put my old parts on it would have been around $1300 total.  I say would have, because when I got that $1000 I started thinking about buying a new bike, or maybe a used bike with better components.  So I started looking at craigslist.  My impression of bikes for sale on craigslist is that people with nice bikes, try to unload them for too much money.  There are two reasons for this.  One, there are people that bought decent bikes thinking that they were going to become cyclists and then didn’t become cyclists.  These people then try to unload the bike they paid $2699 for for $2399.  They always use the line “I have the receipt for proof.”  Proof of what, that you spent too much for something you were never going to use.  This one guy on CL Boston has been trying to move this “like new” Cannondale for weeks.  It’s funny because he hasn’t brought down the price, but the sense of desparation in his posts increase with each new one.  Suck it up and give me that bike for $600, dude.  Then there are the people who have a bike they fell in love with but now want  to  unload.  An example of this is the kid trying to sell an old 62cm fix gear Nishiki for $600. Believe me, they are out there in abundance.  People are so unreasonable when it comes to “used” bikes.  So, basically, I didn’t have any luck with craigslist.  Then I check out the prices for new bikes.  I guess it has been a while since I last bought a new bike.  Put it this way, if you are looking for a high end racing bike, $1000 ain’t much.  After that I hit eBay.  More expensive bikes, some decent deals, but you are left wondering about how safe it is to buy a used bike sight unseen.  However, I did notice a guy in Texas selling NEW bikes at too good to be true prices.  Maybe this wasn’t the wisest decision I’ve ever made, but I pulled the trigger on one, and it arrives tomorrow.  For one thing, I can’t wait to get riding again.  But I also have a good feeling about this.  I did a little research on the guy, and while I didn’t find anything definite, there was a suggestion that he is selling Chinese frames with Italian logos on them.  It’s hard for me to be snobby and insisting on riding an Italian frame when I’ve been cruising around on a made in China Giant(s) for the last 7 years.  Still the price was actually too low for the components it comes with, so I maybe should be (or god forbid “have been”) more circumspect.  Either way, we’ll find out tomorrow when I get home from work.  If all things work out I’ll go for a little 20 miler after Hazel goes to bed.  That’ll be awesome!!  Let’s hope.