bikemanbob

I've been deceived! The components lied to me. When I saw the Shimano 600 components, I thought I had something. However, when I did a search on Bikeforums, I discovered the deception. My Suteki is a department store bike (Sears to be exact). However, for a department store bike, it looks very nice (Sears sold them for $259). Although I only spent $30 on the frame, had I known the bike's value, I never would have made the trip. Now to decide what to do with the frame.

Thumpic

looks like a prime candidate to hack into a ss..........cool head badge....nice chrome tips......lugs.....

cb400bill

Clean it up and ride it. As you said, they were sold at Sears. But they were reportedly made by Panasonic. My daughter likes her 600 equipped Suteki mixte a lot.

Anthropy

At least you don't have an Astabula (skull crusher) crank.


Tom

Wogster

Build it up as a winter beater, put an IGH 3 speed on there, a single crank and the fattest tires that will fit, and use it for the days when the weather is to crappy for a good bike.

noglider 

I don't see the problem here.

DavidW56

I got an identical one out of the curbside trash, missing only the front wheel. I intend something of the same sort for it -- commuter bike when I don't want to risk the Peugeot.

yuoil 

I second (or third or whatever) winter beater if it's close enough in size. I keep looking for a super cheap beater but no luck this winter so far...

Robofunc

+1

m750rider

I've had that bike and it is very good. Who cares who sold it originally. Put wheels on it and ride it

Bianchigirll 

unless he was expecting to get a SLX 8spd STI frame and group for $30

however I agree a bit more research upfront would have help a great deal, although I realize that seeing a CL like "racing bike all shimano 600 $30" will make anyones heart race. and then one must act or research and risk being left out

clasher

It'd pay 30$ for those components alone, but the used-bike-economy is much different here.

RobbieTunes

Finish it and ride it, will cost you the needed parts and your wrenching, which is fun.
Be as thrifty with the needed parts as you were with this, and you'll have a good cheap bike.

Make it a single speed and sell it. It has no braze-ons to worry about, and the lugs and bling make it a good seller. You can ride it or sell it, but should recoup your investment and the time spent wrenching is always good.

Part it out. Frame alone should bring your investment, and there's always people looking for centerpull stuff, etc.

I'm with noglider, and the bunch. I don't see a problem, just possibilities. BG, also. $30 generally means a $30 value.

You'll get your money back

wrk101

Finish it up, or part it out. $30 value regardless. You will find that era 600 stuff on some low end bikes. Its not a bad bike, nothing great, but well worth $30. I would pay $30 for that bike in a heart beat.

bikemanbob

Thanks for the replies. For $30, I did well (maybe even better), but it was not the score I was thinking. When I saw the turkey levers, I knew it was less than what I was hoping for. I should have done the research first, but I've had great luck by running quickly. The Suteki looks like a solid bike and was probably a great value at the time. It just wasn't what I thought it was! I'm still not sure what I want to do with the bike, but I'm confident that I can at least get my money back.

cycleheimer

Slap some wheels on it, then get out there and get some riding time in. Too cold to ride? Just add more layers.

Grim

Looks like 600 Arabesque derailleurs. I'll give you $30 plus shipping for them if they are. LOVE them. Then you can single speed the bike and sell it for $250 like some of the folks in Atlanta do.

I am serious about the offer. Post some better pictures of the derailleurs.

bikemanbob

I confident that the frame is good, but it just doesn't inspire me. If it doesn't inspire, I can't build it. I'm looking to part it out.

Grim, if the derailleurs are the ones that you are looking for, I will gladly accept your offer. Just PM me. Thanks.

Grim

Unfortunately those are not the Arabesque 600's. Still very good parts. Let me think on it.

Velognome 

Ohhhhh....... the dropouts have eyelets for fenders and a rack! How sweet a SS dressed up with VO's $26 fenders and a rack, who wouldn't love that............OK, I'm sure there are a few out there.........no need to reply

wrk101

On the quick grabs (typically at thrift stores or garage sales), the first thing I do is put my hands on the bike. Good bikes last two or three minutes at thrift stores around here. I then do a really quick inspection, just long enough to determine whether I see enough parts that will more than cover the price of the bike. Most of us could do such a quick review in about ten seconds.

The sharks at my favorite thrift store hang out by the door to the backroom, and intercept anything decent as soon as it rolls out, way before it have been put onto the floor. I grabbed a Trek 412 this way about two weeks ago. Just the way it is here.

Of course, if I recognize the model, frame tubing, and so on, the inspection is even quicker.

Road Fan

My attitude about just about any bike I might buy, is make it work and ride it, then see if you like it. If you like it, it's a good bike. If you're instead looking for things to sell, then

1. you probably paid too much in the first place [EDIT] - sorry I misread, thought you dropped a ton, not just $30.
2. you probably need to pick your raw material better,
3. you'll probably do better stripping and selling the 600, and sell the frame/fork off to a fixie builder.

RobbieTunes

Wish you were local to me. I'd take that frame in a heartbeat.

Put $200 into that and you've got a $350 single speed, easily.

JohnDThompson 

I dunno. It looks pretty happy right where it is...