kap 7

I've been noticing lately my local craigslist has had a pretty interesting variety of stuff going on. No particular reason for posting this other than curiosity ... skim through and see if there is anything there would be on your wishlist, maybe previously owned similar and wish you still did, items you think are absurdly overpriced (or the opposite - a bargain) , any interesting commentary about modifications ... etc, you get the idea.

https://southbend.craigslist.org/d/bicycles/search/bia

katsup

46 of the current 110 listing in your search are being sold by 1 person in Stevensville MI. Include the nearby areas in your search for more variety.

Gresp15C

Not much different than my locale: Typically overpriced. This may be because people are posting prices on speculation. The 1 person in Stevensville may have a business of refurbishing and flipping bikes, nothing wrong with that.

On the other hand, if it's exactly the bike you've been looking for, and the right size, what's an extra couple bucks? More important is to make sure you go in with eyes open, and have a sense for how much you will need to spend in order to bring the bike up to good condition. Tires, cables, brake pads, all cost money. I would assume that steel wheels are not worth salvaging.

One thing I've noticed is that "average person" sized bikes get snapped up, and what's left on CL tend to be really big or really small.

katsup

One thing I noticed by looking at a few of his ads, all of the bikes have been tuned up. Obviously this means different things to people, but if the bikes are ready to go, some are at a fair price.

kap 7

oops! didn't even realize that... thanks for pointing it out and for the searching tip!

Flip Flop Rider

how far is Michigan from where you are?

kap 7

I could easily walk to the MI state line ... though I'm not looking to buy anything. I don't think people are understanding the point of the post. Oh well.

grayEZrider

I get it. The last two buys (vintage) I made were in Indiana. I live in TN now. So here's my favorite tip: Once you've got a solid idea of what you want, search other area which you might visit for family reunions or events. five hundred miles is too far to go for a cheap find but a family member can grab and save it for you on your next trip or visit! I picked up my Centurion in Carthage IN (town of only 800 and the guy lived only three blocks from my youngest brother) and my Specialized in Fort Wayne on an Xmas trip to Fort Wayne two years ago.
Since everyone wants pics I've included a worthless selfie.

thumpism 

I'll take the Bridgestone T500 and that 23" ladies Raleigh Sports. I have one just like it but could always use a spare. Someone mentioned pix.

My CL hint: When doing a driving vacation, pack a folding bike rack and check CL for all cities along your route. Never know what you might come home with.

wipekitty

Seems pretty typical for Upper Midwest Craigslist in the winter: a few regular flippers, some old MTBs, some mildly overpriced "vintage" road bikes, and a few expensive niche items that the seller will probably not move unless he/she gets the word out to the local roadie or tri groups or posts in a larger market.

A few interesting finds. First, the "three speed" bike...does this mean the rear derailleur does not work?
https://southbend.craigslist.org/bik...807521704.html

Second, the "Notre Dame 3 Wheeler". This is a horrible ugly machine and I would be inclined to burn it (being a Michigan State fan).
https://southbend.craigslist.org/bik...761664054.html

downhillmaster

HerrKaLeun

Your CL looks like mine (WI). either old s$$t the owner thinks is worth more than scrap (which it isn't) or some overpriced $4K wannabe premium bikes.

Almost cheaper to buy brand new bikes off BD, Canyon or other direct seller. I bet those sellers just assume the person buying has no internet to compare prices, or are stupid to pay those prices.

exmechanic89

You mean there was an actual point?!

Lemond1985

Very good selection, comparable to the SF Bay Area, except that I would wager stuff sells much slower in your area.

I would definitely agree with the person who mentioned that the "normal-sized" frames (say 54-58 cm) get snapped up fast. And so most of what's left are the 48 cm and 64 cm frames that fit almost no one.

acidfast7

I always get told that CL is a treasure trove compared to a lower-end new bicycle but the prices for tuned bikes has really increased and I just don't see the "value" any longer.

CliffordK

The vintage Exercycle looks cool.

https://southbend.craigslist.org/bop...811522177.html
https://southbend.craigslist.org/bop...808851059.html

Is that an electric motor attached to it? To pedal for you? To generate electricity?

burnthesheep

I am so sick of this on CL. It isn't Ebay. They aren't paying. They need to force habitual multi listings to be cleaned up into one.

There's a guy around Raleigh who bumps up to 100 B.S.O's at about $75 to $125 each every week here. Litters the list. Wish you could block users altogether and it would solve the problem also.

BirdsBikeBinocs

When I look at the local CL bike listings I notice that a lot of the older Schwinn's , Raleigh's etc. etc. have decent leather seats. It's like gee, I could buy a bike for 40 bucks and get a 100 dollar seat.

rumrunn6

the Giant TCX might be fun, but it's not worth that price to me

acidfast7

When I lived in Copenhagen, every 3-speed busted bike had a nice leather seat and they just lived outside and were tipped over every night.

jefnvk

The caveat that people who say that never mention is that it takes a lot of time and effort and luck to find those gems. I can point to my $75, 21#, Shimano 600 Tricolor, Mavic wheeled Univega as one of those deals, but it is the only one I've seen in four years of fairly regularly watching CL, and I was on it minutes after it posted.

BrocLuno

Check CL twice a week. FS by Owner Only. Look for bargains with the features you want. Takes about 5 minutes around here, maybe 10 if the pictures conflict with the classification like FS ...

kap 7

I'm a Notre Dame fan and I'd be embarrassed to be seen riding that monstrosity at a tailgate or wherever else they described in their ad.

thumpism 

Yes. To pedal and to bend and unbend you. Certainly an interesting device but you don't want to have to move one. I've seen a few and admire them as I do anvils.

kap 7

Wait, so what does it do exactly?