MissLisaRae

My son has a bike that was given to him by a close friend who said it
was very expensive, custom built. I sent pics to a bike shop in town and
they replied that it was a "Walmart knockoff, worth no more than $50."

Bike says Acer Shimano brake system, it's a 21 speed (needs chain), 26" wheels,
alloy frame (says Shimano), also says "TANK in a couple of places and has a "Rocky Style"
decal. I have the serial number and patent number. I still cannot seem to identify this
bike! Help, please!

If I should decide to sell it, I don't want to make a fool of myself, and I should
know a starting price point, and also how to create a description including all info
important to a prospective buyer.

Please only respond if you actually know. Thanks!

Yes, I'm a newbie, I don't know anything about bikes, and I am relying completely on
you!

gunner65

The LBS is correct.

MissLisaRae

LBS? (local bike shop?)... So, you also believe that it is a cheepie. How
would one determine that? I need to know also, not to BUY one from anyone
else. Thanks!

commo_soulja

Yup "local bike shop" and yup - cheap($50) bike.

commo_soulja

If you're gonna sell it, list it as a "department store" bike. "Tank" is an apt name for it as it's probably 30 lbs or more. Very low end components only available on similarly low end bikes from big box stores hung on a heavy frame.

joshuatrio

I'd probably take it down a few hills - see how long it would last. Just for fun.

MissLisaRae

Actually, the bike is extremely light. But, I do take your word for it. I know nothing about bikes. LBS says it's cheap, and you agree... so I don't question that you're right. I appreciate your taking the time to respond. It will save me from looking like a fool if/when I put it in a garage sale

Ldosorio

maybe you can get up to $70... You can find it more or less in $120-150 brand new in wallmart

milbikeman

That bike is really bad quality, if your son wants a mountain bike I would recommend buying one from your local bike shop. You will pay more money but it will be worth it in the long run considering you don't know anything about bikes and your LBS will.

Raging_Bulls

I assume it's "Acera", not "Acer". Acera has always been on the low end of the Shimano groupset spectrum. That's not a good sign.

Also, the age and style of the suspension is a pointer.
Tank started out in Taiwan as a framebuilder. Only after 2002 they started to sell bikes outside Taiwan. The cable disc brake makes me think this one was even built later than 2005. Even by 2002, most manufacturers had dropped that single pivot swingarm style and were using multi-link suspension for anything but the most basic of models.

No, I'm afraid I'll have to agree with your LBS and the others here. Avoid like the plague even if the seller decides to give it to you for free. These things will cost a lot to keep in rideable condition, especially if you have no warranty.

Leebo

That's a BSO, bike shaped object.

osco53

What's the poundage ? Close friends rarely 'Give' away expensive bikes.. Given because it was not worth the effort to sell is more reasonable. Looks like a keeper so ride it till it detonates and trash it.

DX-MAN

If the Tank comes in at under 36 lbs., I'd be amazed. That one has a few years on it, too (and NO, the cable disc doesn't date it at post-2005, Walmart sold disc-equipped BSO's as early as 2001....), so I'm actually surprised it's in the condition the picture indicates.

$50 is a generous estimate for that level of bike.

Daspydyr 

The seat is also a give away. If it looks comfortable-its cheap. The skinnier the seat, the better the bike.

Your son's friend, he isn't looking for trade or anything is he? If they are telling this kind of a story, they really shouldn't be trusted and usually want something unrealistic for it.

Just an old suspicious guy here.

Raging_Bulls

oops, my bad. I never really paid much attention to BSOs. I only really noticed disc brakes becoming common at the local bike shops at around 2005.
I keep forgetting that the US adopted them earlier than we did.

cobba

Fixed.

It looks like a mountain bike but it probably has sticker on it somewhere that says it's 'not designed for off-road use'.

gunner65

and sadly I believe we have seen the last of Miss Rae!!! But this thread will carry on forever on the bikeforums server.

DX-MAN

No problem -- I've unfortunately been waist-deep in BSO's since summer of 2000. It's a sad world when Wally pays better to build crap than a shop pays to build quality.

Zephyr11

My Komodo said something along those lines in the instruction booklet. I can't remember if there was a frame sticker that said the same or not. Gave me a laugh. Welcome to sue-happy America...

bikemig 

lol