First of all, I know everyone says not to finance a bike and to save, but mine got stolen and because I live in a big city, I need a new one ASAP. I had just saved up $400 to let my last one and two weeks in, someone took bolt cutter and stole the majority of the bike. It's not salvageable and I don't have another $400 but I do need a bike.
I have two options: Try to get my friends bike fixed or get a Retrospec with "AfterPay". I know Retrospec isn't the best brand but I don't see anything else in a $400 budget that takes "AfterPay".
The easy thought is to take my friends for free: but it has issues and doesn't ride well. It's a Trek Sport 800 from about 15 years ago. It has 21 speeds. On front gears the first two speeds work okay, but in the third speed it makes terrible crunchy sounds. Also on the back gears, well, they don't change at all. The cable gets tighter but the chain never moves. I'm not sure if I can get this repaired for under $125 or if it needs lot more work and isn't worth it.
I've attached pictures but could use some advice.
by HiyaTokiDoki
9 Comments
I’d spend to fix that trek over a retrospec.
I started commuting on the culver, and within a month or two everything needed replacement – tires, cables, brake pads, then I hit a pothole and needed to retrue my wheel. It’s a step up from the Walmart junk but it’s overpriced for what it is.
I’d recommend taking the free bike. Spend a weekend learning to do some maintenance and watch some YouTube to see if you can fix it yourself.
I assume with a few basic tools you could probably fix it for free. And would be good skills to know
That bike loan is really going to suck when you are making payments on a bike that got stolen.
Because what if that happens? Are you prepared to make payments on a bike that you don’t have?
Financing ANYTHING is a bad choice unless you really understand what you are getting yourself into.
You mentioned AfterPay, so I assume you are in Aus or NZ? There are community bike hubs everywhere that would help out with maintenance for free or minimal cost. Take the Trek, it’s bulletproof.
Rule of thumb. Avoid services like after pay. Get a quote from a bike shop on the old bike so you’re not guessing costs.
Start the process by graciously accepting the Trek. Then see what you can do with it yourself.
Fix…
I’d take the Trek and figure out a way to fix it myself. Worst case scenario: you take it to a shop and pay to get it fixed, I’m sure it can be fixed below the $400 mark. I could be wrong, but if your friend is giving it to you for free, then I see it as a blessing in disguise.
Where are you? Maybe we can help you find cheap or free resources.