Mr. Spadoni 

The pies were done, dishes washed, just waiting to head to the in-laws for the big meal. I headed out for a bit of appetite enhancement aka a ride.

passing a local shop, I saw a bike parked in front. As I knew the shop was closed, I stopped to check it out. Was the bike one of the used bikes for sale that had been forgotten?

it was used, but not left out front by accident. It was locked. A sign taped to it gave the shop owners email, and a note that with a PayPal payment, he would send the combo to the lock and you could ride away. Oh, and if you wanted the lock, it was five bucks more.

Maybe I should try this to sell a couple bikes that seem like too much trouble to Craigslist. Park them near a college or some place where there would be customers. Yeah, there is the risk of theft but maybe people are better that that.

In any case, I sure like the combination of internet sales, ease of interface, and instant delivery that the shop has put together.

Bad Lag

Awesome marketing approach, truly awesome.

SoccerBallXan

Great idea, but unfortunately this wouldn’t last overnight where I live...

smontanaro 

I've seen something similar here in Chicago, but (as far as I know) not LBS-affiliated. During the warmer months there are often two or three low-end bikes for sale (<$50) along the Lakefront Trail, chained to bike racks.

SurferRosa

Bring tools and break it down to the bare frame. I mean, remove everything, even the pressed-in headset cups. Maybe leave the chain, for kicks. Then email a pic of just the frame locked, asking the owner how much he wants for it. You'll have to figure out the camera situation first, but that shouldn't be too much trouble.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Velo Mule

It looks like a nice bike with probably good wheels on it. It is an interesting sales approach especially since I have be having problems flipping bikes lately.

Theft of the wheels and seat could be an issue. The other issue is that being left out in the weather is not good either.

schundog

What a great idea for lower-end bikes! I might try this, even though I agree with the pitfalls mentioned above.

cudak888 

If I were the shop owner, I'd immediately up the stakes by putting an ofo out there. The kind with all the possible security hardware.

"Try this on for size, wise guy."

-Kurt

Mr. Spadoni 

ofo ?

SurferRosa

Bright yellow plastic-looking thing from china you can rent for a dollar.

cudak888 

Dockless bicycle with dockless bicycle anti-theft hardware. For those not in the know, a Gator Grip ain't going to cut it. https://bikesharemuseum.com/fix-an-ofo-bicycle/








Since ofo left the US, there's quite a few of them around for sale/donated, so it's one of the few dockless bikes you can find out there or sale. Granted, the explanation just ruined the joke

Used to be able to rent for a dollar. The company went belly up in the States, and their status in China is questionable.

You're more likely to find them for sale for $50-75 where they've been sold or donated off. One LBS was working with someone in North Carolina who had literal 40' shipping containers of them, brand new:



I don't knock these bikes at all for what they are, or where they come from. Many of them are a spiritual successor to the Schwinn Racer formula: Take one 3-speed IGH hub, lace it to some tough wheels, mate to heavy but kid-proof frame, and throw it out to the world to wreck. Most of them have modern 6v 2.4w front generator hubs and band + roller brakes, so they usually have a leg up on the old Racers for features and stopping power too.

If I could Thanos-snap all the bicycle shaped objects out of Tar-Mart with the caveat that they'd have to be replaced with equally affordable equipment, 3-speed dockless bikes would be my first pick.

-Kurt

Mr. Spadoni 

Thanks for the explanations. Ofo seems to have skipped Portland. Just as well. Its undocked bikes likely would be subject to the same force that draws electric scooters to their demise at the bottom of the Willamette River.

But issues with theft aside, the shop in question does most of its work in repairs and builds. They end up with used parts that they sell cheap. My guess is that the owner was looking around the shop, and saw he was getting a few too many parts. Probably figured he could put a bike together and put it out for sale. If it sells, great. If it rides away, well, the parts were going to go for pennies on the dollar and he would only be out his time. I’ll route tomorrow’s ride past the shop to sell if I am right.

SurferRosa

Looks like a nice, matching wheelset...