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    I’m thinking of buying this. Is keeping a bike in a car like this for two weeks a red flag?


    I asked for a specific photo of this bike for sale (to verify dude actually had the bike in his listing) and didn't get what I asked for, but got this picture.

    It's the same bike that's in the listing, so that's good. He says it's been in his car for two weeks. That seems odd to me… I wouldn't keep a bike in a car that long, but maybe he's just wanting it on hand at all times to sell it.

    From the looks of it though, it hasn't been put in the car with much care, and it doesn't seem like dude cares much about anything in his car. Spokes can get damaged if wheels are just tossed in a car and I'm thinking the derailleur and/or hanger might be taking a beating when the car is in motion.

    Anyone else seeing red flags, or am I being overly cautious?

    by BrianLevre

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    13 Comments

    1. bike_stig on

      Overly cautious. I live in a small apartment and sometimes store stuff in my car like this lol also anything that goes wrong from storing the bike like this can be easily fixed. How much does he want for it?

    2. fz-09 on

      Could just go check it out for yourself. Frame looks clean. Tires look like they are in decent shape. I wouldn’t necessarily call that a red flag. What’s he charging?

    3. penicillengranny on

      Let’s be real. You were going to eventually throw on some BBs and a 1×11, which would need a new derailleur.

      At least it hasn’t been in the rain.

    4. Diligent-Advance9371 on

      Before I retired I was sent to seminars several times a year. ALWAYS to cities with great bike paths. Took a rental car and just plopped my paved bikeway bike onto the back seat just lije in the picture. Never had any parts damage.

    5. _brkt_ on

      Apartment folk checking in: our cars are our extra storage. Totally normal. I had a box of bike parts in my minivan for… maybe 2 months? And my brother-in-law keeps his bike in his car all the time recently since his building has no bike parking.

      But it’s a used bike so also adjust your expectations accordingly. You aren’t getting a pristine machine either way.

    8. InternetsIsBoring on

      The derailleur leaning against the seat it’s probably toast but it might be okay

    9. outpf on

      Judging by the amount of stuff in his car, it looks like they live in their car unfortunately. I think this is fine

    10. EvilDandalo on

      It seems like they value their bike more than their car lol. This is better than just getting left outside and it’s how a lot of people transport their bikes by car anyways if you don’t have a rack.

    11. Sensitive_Branch8489 on

      Who cares? It’s not weird and couldn’t possibly damage anything by sitting in a car. Homeless bikes gave a very unique odor though, like the gloves you should have thrown away 5 years ago. If it has that smell count on replacing every soft part on the bike.

    12. VioletCassidy on

      Weirdly enough, I have a disassembled bike in my car and it’s been at least one week.

      I only ever use my car for camping trips. Otherwise I use my bicycle for everything. So the car is just kind of somewhere I can store things until I get around to solving them. My girlfriend upgraded bikes and I need to take her old one to the local bike coop.

      Oh, and don’t get one of those trek 820s. I know you didn’t post what trek it is, but I know that green. Hold out for a 970. It’s way better put together.

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