Context: I just picked up this bike for $150. I haven’t ridden in a while, but having generally ridden pretty crap bikes, I was surprised by how fun it was to ride.
That said, it was listed in ‘good’ condition, but when I got out there it was rusted, tires were dry-rotted, brakes squeaked like all get out, etc. I wasn’t sure if I should even take it home, but it had been a long drive. I realize I should’ve demanded more pictures before driving out, and the guy was one of those people who has an emotional attachment to his bikes (even the ones that have been sitting in his shed for years) so he wouldn’t budge on price.
I took it to a bike shop right away, and it’s gonna be $315 to get it back in working shape. I’m trying to figure out whether I try to return it to the seller, eat the loss and just get myself a new bike, or fix it up.
Thoughts?
ernieball2221 on
A good chunk of the quoted price will be labour costs. Is there any chance you could do some of the work yourself to reduce the costs? Tyres are difficult to changes, particularly if you know how to mend a puncture. There are plenty of YouTube tutorials showing you how to do stuff.
gregn8r1 on
Yeesh, that’s kind of a lot of money… Have you asked around at other local shops for more opinions? And are you willing to try doing some of the work yourself? There are bicycle co-ops that allow people to use their tools, sometimes for free, oftentimes for a small fee. This would help you save a lot on the repair costs if there happens to be one near you.
And what do you mean by “return” the bike to the seller? Like he’s willing to give you a refund, or what?
Longjumping-Pie-6410 on
There is one rite of passage in the cycling world. At one point of an amateur cyclists journey they must claim their tools and become an amateur mechanic. Your time has come now. You are ready.
4 Comments
Context: I just picked up this bike for $150. I haven’t ridden in a while, but having generally ridden pretty crap bikes, I was surprised by how fun it was to ride.
That said, it was listed in ‘good’ condition, but when I got out there it was rusted, tires were dry-rotted, brakes squeaked like all get out, etc. I wasn’t sure if I should even take it home, but it had been a long drive. I realize I should’ve demanded more pictures before driving out, and the guy was one of those people who has an emotional attachment to his bikes (even the ones that have been sitting in his shed for years) so he wouldn’t budge on price.
I took it to a bike shop right away, and it’s gonna be $315 to get it back in working shape. I’m trying to figure out whether I try to return it to the seller, eat the loss and just get myself a new bike, or fix it up.
Thoughts?
A good chunk of the quoted price will be labour costs. Is there any chance you could do some of the work yourself to reduce the costs? Tyres are difficult to changes, particularly if you know how to mend a puncture. There are plenty of YouTube tutorials showing you how to do stuff.
Yeesh, that’s kind of a lot of money… Have you asked around at other local shops for more opinions? And are you willing to try doing some of the work yourself? There are bicycle co-ops that allow people to use their tools, sometimes for free, oftentimes for a small fee. This would help you save a lot on the repair costs if there happens to be one near you.
And what do you mean by “return” the bike to the seller? Like he’s willing to give you a refund, or what?
There is one rite of passage in the cycling world. At one point of an amateur cyclists journey they must claim their tools and become an amateur mechanic. Your time has come now. You are ready.