Dylansbob 

So this one is probably this Univega I found a couple years ago. In 20yrs of thrifting for bikes, I've had some struggles and duds but nothing like this one. For starters the frame was cracked at the bb. Fork threads are stripped. Crankset has stripped puller threads on the left. The right side has a crank bolt that's rounded off. At this point, I've salvaged all the nice Sugino PX hardware and the hubs.

merziac

I have had a couple where the frame was/may have been cracked and I knew it, went forward anyway and factored that in.

There have been several disappointments but most I should have seen or was still ok with the deal.

Its all about managing expectations and being realistic, how bad can it be and how bad do you want it?

If you temper yourself properly, you will not be done in by a poor outcome.

Many of the "bad" deals were fixed after the fact which is another aspect, if the seller is on the up and up you can come to a resolution, sometimes.

You have to try and figure out the seller and act accordingly if you can or factor that in if you can't.

Dylansbob 

This one wasn't too big of hit, considering the going rate for 50.4 hardware. 95% of my bikes come from thrift stores, so there's not alot of wiggle room on prices.

deux jambes

A too tall to ride, too heavy to carry, broke down, rickety, low level Univega that permeated my studio apartment with the smell of old grease, gasoline, moss, and mud. It also hatched a large army of baby spiders that temporarily took over my living quarters. After parting it out, I lost money on it.

SurferRosa

Club Fuji.

It was already decided!

jdawginsc 

The Faggin frame I bought unless I can get the BB threads recut parallel.

But at the moment, the Peugeot mixte my gal and I are rehabbing...money pit...overvalued. And fun. Latest joy is finding out the entire back structure is a bit wobbled...makes wheel centering an adventure.

WGB 

My Fuso. It was a 59cm frame that was way way too small and I'd get off it and be in pain bt man what a bike!. Sold it and now it's cruising Moscow, Russia. Since then I try out bikes but none is the same. I am ruined.

Lascauxcaveman 

I’ve had a few duds, but nothing I’d actually paid money for.

I have paid paid too much for a few bikes, but they’re still pretty nice bikes. I suppose one of those would be my “worst” purchase, but I wouldn’t want to single one out.

P!N20

My first one. Because that led to another one...and another one...and...

Bianchigirll 

I never struck it rich on any bike I sold but I my worst experience was with a bike I pawned for another member. In hindsight I wonder if he ever hand any intention of taking it back. between selling the frame, it was too small for me but a brand I always wanted, and the group on a different frame (but same quality) I of course lost money on it.

SJX426 

Paid way too much for a 610 that had been drewed, crank buggered up with a wheel puller, bent up RD and rattle can paint. I decided that since it was messed up I could customize it to my liking. With the braze ons desired on the bike and a primer coat, it hangs in the garage! It was built up with parts from a bike 10 years older for a test drive once.
118_PaTrek, on Flickr

kunsunoke 

The Bridgestone RADAC my wife currently rides had a badly-dented top tube and chewed-up chainstays. Both had to be fixed ($300+ at EagleOne). That one was by far the biggest money pit, but it does ride pretty well.

Last year I got a Bianchi mountain bike with a stuck seatpost. The post was so thoroughly buried in the frame that it had to be cut and bored out, at which point it became evident that the inside of the seat tube was not metal - but paint instead. Way, way too much time invested in that one.

Jury is still out on the De Rosa EnduRace. The chainstays are so frigging close together I can't run anything bigger than 23mm carcass tires.

JaccoW

The Koga-Miyata RoadAce with the bent rear triangle because the previous owner removed the frame lock with an angle grinder. Oh and it was probably rear-ended at some point in its life.

Bianchigirll 

Some people should not be allowed to own both bikes and power tools..

wrk101

For many years, I kept a row of frames that were mistakes hanging in the corridor to my workshop. I called it the "walk of shame", that simple reminder NOT to make that same mistake again!

Having bought and sold close to 1,000 bikes over the years, I've made some whoppers. Usually, I am able to salvage SOME of my money out of parts. Other times, I just donate and move on.

One example, not that big of a hit financially in the end, were a pair to Motobecane tandems. First, my market for vintage tandems is poor. Secondly, they both required a lot of work. I put about 40 hours into the worst one, could never sell it. I even offered the two tandems as a pair for HALF of what the cranksets alone were worth. I would have lost quite a bit of money at that price. No takers. I finally parted them out and actually made a little money, but got about 5 cents per hour for my time. Sadly, frames went to the co op.


1979 Motobecane Inter Club by bill, on Flickr

clubman 

Thanks for reminding me. Paid $400 for a minty Peugeot, rode with my wife once, stored the behemoth for 3 years and begged someone to take it away for $275. Should have kept the Stronglight cranks but that's not a win for anyone.

JaccoW

I bought just a single 52T chainring with bashguard for around €100 and I've seen the tandem cranksets go for $300. Must have been a tough sell.

cycleheimer

I have had a couple. Both were "bargain priced". That changed quickly when I started getting them ready to ride.

The Golden Boy 

My worst was probably my first after getting into the hobby...

At the time, I was obsessed with finding a Paramountain- (the one year only Schwinn TOTL ATB frame)- I bought a Paramount Series MTB off eBay. When I got it and was unpacking it- I noticed overspray on some of the components and stuff- I've had "accidents" with spray paint and know it can get on stuff you don't intend, so I figured I could clean it up. I don't remember how exactly I discovered it, but the seat tube was cracked all around the seat stay attachment at the cluster- someone had taken spray paint and covered the crack.

I was able to get a full refund, but it really kinda sucked.

There was a lot to learn from that experience- little warnings like overspray became something I looked for.

non-fixie 

This. Thought it might be fun, but the first test ride taught me something about Eigen frequency and cheap folding bikes. Frightening. Went straight into the dumpster.

justcynn

Mine worst would a 1985 Nishiki Cresta GT. Paid $220. Not because it’s not a nice bike, but too small - doesn’t appeal to me and likely not going to be able to get my money back where I live. 2nd worst is a 23” Schwinn LeTour. Issue is I paid too much on eBay and it showed up not as nice as I thought it was. Lost money there.

best purchase was a $100 chrome Schwinn. Voyageur. That makes up for all the bad buys.

Cougrrcj

You mean going upside-down in a big hurry? If that's the case, it'd be the 1965 Schwinn Racer 3-speed. Purchased for $15. New tires (the proprietary expn$ive S-5 at $25/ea) Needs new S-A trigger shifter. New S-A shifter cable (that 'correct' white coated wire), new S-A shifter cable pulley (mine's cracked), new S-A shifter hub chain, new period-correct ribbed brake cable housing, brake pads, So well over $150 in parts later, I have a HEAVY $50 bike...

game_player_s

Next Avalon 22636 (Now a serious red flag when there's a series of incoherent digits in the model name.) - Somewhere at a relatives place in Georgia this bike resides and is still mine, and despite being cheap.... it's a shameful thing to even admit to having purchased, even at the lowly price of $10 at a yard sale in that area. I bought it, took it back, pumped up the tires, and that very first time riding it the rear derailleur, the only gearshifter it even has mind you, broke. And I don't mean the cabling either, I mean the dumb thing was a hunk of stupid plastic and it catastrophically failed. So that bike has a zip tie now holding the remains of that Chinese excuse for a derailleur in a fixed position in order to keep the chain on a gear, because otherwise the spring tension on the remains of that piece of crap make the chain hop right off of the gearing. And this is my experience with a true 'BSO'. Luckily during my next visit I scored the Excursion from a yard sale, so I have a really nice bike there I can ride when I go to visit.

SurferRosa

You're never really vocal about choosing sides. And what did that ever get you? They closed down Rick's for a while, Ilsa flew off with Laszlo, some innocent guy gets blamed for Strasser's murder, and that little rat, the prefect of police, is still in your pocket.

Lascauxcaveman 

Buying each one of these (slightly overpriced) bikes was the beginning of a beautiful relationship.