cycleheimer

Note: Craig's List in your area looks tight...called it up off the Varsity posting mentioned above...

Ever think of a new bike...being practical....until a "C&V" deal shows up? New tires, tubes, pads...

Diamondback Insight 1 flat bar road bike from Nashbar @ $299 + S&H from $449...may need to ask about braze-ons.
https://www.nashbar.com/webapp/wcs/st...1_10000_201512

Nashbar AT-1 Mountain Bike at $199 + S&H from $299...
https://www.nashbar.com/webapp/wcs/st...1_10000_201512

cycleheimer

Mens Raleigh M-30 Mountain Bike - $100 (North Port)


https://fortmyers.craigslist.org/chl/bik/1558273224.html
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Date: 2010-01-19, 6:48AM EST
Reply to: sale-3qdhh-1558273224@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]

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This bike is approximately nine years old. It is in very good condition. Everything is original including the tires which are in great condition. Included with the bike are a gel seat, headlight, water bottle holder and a hard rear rack withe seperate saddle bag. Any questions please call Ken at (941) 429-5164.


Location: North Port
it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests



PostingID: 1558273224

EjustE

This has a high tensile frame, a suspension fork and Shimano Tourney components

(think *mart Huffy)

about 32 lbs...

wrk101

Possible? Sure. Practical? Very doubtful for two reasons. First, do you have the full compliment of tools required to build a bike? If not, you are talking a significant amount of $$ in tools. If you are going to wrench on bikes quite a bit in the future, its an investment, if not, it is not worth buying the tools. Secondly, while many on this list (me included) routinely build bikes, most of us control the economics by using donor bikes. Buying a bicycle piece meal is like buying a car piece meal. But if you look a lot, you can find bikes with nice components but other issues (such as a damaged frame). Strip the parts, and put them on the frame of your choice. But buying a complete bike is the cheapest option.

I would suggest you contact a few of the Florida flippers on this list and ask them to keep an eye out for you. A good flipper is looking for bikes continuously, has the tools, knowledge and parts to rebuild it and supply you with a nice bike.

+10 That RB3 above is a good choice even with shipping.

turtlemilk

I forgot to say, .i might have to put flat bars on it if i can't dodge cars fast enough( left to right). do they make drop bars that also are well suited as flat bars?

I have to be able to dodge crazy hellbillys that are bent on running me over, out run Pit bulls, 10 in a given day.. and crazy man eating bums... been attacked 3 times so far..

Whats the diffidence between a touring bike and a hybrid?

I have a lock, a thick biker chain, and 15" combat knife,..

EjustE

I think that you should be looking for a fixie, then.

Are you not the same person who asked a couple weeks ago here for a free 'high end' bike, because you have a hard time riding your cruiser?

turtlemilk

I hate fixed gear bikes, i am always crashing the things, I can't pedal back fast enough to stop it from crashing into something, i also have to ride off road for a few feet to dodge cars

plus the chain will wear out fast due the bridges and crap.... and worse of all 50 mph winds which are very common.

treebound 

With that warzone environment I will now suggest a rigid MTB with road slicks or shallow tread tires, 26"x2"

turtlemilk

No. mtn bikes

Chicago Al 

a. No job in many months, nor any good prospects.
b. Looking for a free bike in order to get around and look for work.
c. *Possibly* getting a tax refund check of some hundreds of dollars, but maybe not.
d. Now looking for a 'fast, high quality' road bike, possibly like a Centurion Turbo.

One of these things is not like the others.

I was the guy with the Centurion Turbo and at $250 that was a considerable step up for me...and I work! I've been riding an early 80s Miyata that was a $25 CL find, needing work. I've still got less than $100 into it, and it's a perfectly functional bike, hi-ten fork and all.

There is lots of well meaning advice above but for the life of me I don't see how the OP should be worrying about whether the frame is Reynolds 531 or not. The only questions I would be asking if I were him would be: 'Is it rideable?' (ie it runs, it fits reasonably) and 'Is it free, or $25 or less?'

Of course there are better and worse bikes that turn up very cheaply, and if something nice comes along, great...but the idea is transportation (and maybe some fitness). The cliche about beggars and choosing comes to mind.

slushlover2

Between wanting free bikes and now this thread, you are making this way too complicated. Buy a bike and ride it.

miamijim

Anything name brand will do. Sounds like you need a 54cm/21" frame. Look for something with a full chromoly frame and fork with Shimano 105 level components or better. With patience you'll find something in your price range.

turtlemilk

I guess i will buy a wal mart bike then.......

I am buying ONE bike, I am not going to buy a new bike every year like every one else does on this forum, i have owned the same truck for 10 years... i will upgrade this bike over time... I rather have a good 1980s bike then a piece of junk not wrote upgrading.

what is Reynolds 531? i know the diffidence between tange 1 and 2 but thats it,

mkeller234

We get that you won't be buying many bikes and I think there has been some really good advice in this thread. You can put flat bars on a road bike but that comes back down to having the tools, parts and knowhow to do that. Maybe you would like mustache bars?

I agree about not worrying too much about weight and materials. My commuter is a tange 5 frame and the whole bike weighs in at 28ish pounds, even so it feels quick and nimble to me. This would be my checklist:

- Aluminum Rims
- Cro-moly main tubes
- Comfortable saddle

That $150.00 Bridgestone RB-3 meets all of those requirements PLUS it has been completely serviced. You cannot forget the value added in a 100% ready to ride bike. If you are serious about needing a bike, you should take a closer look at that option. As far as the man-eating hobos and hellbillies go, you must not be pedaling fast enough.

turtlemilk

its hard to pedal fast on a beach bicycle..... what about Cross bikes https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hybrid_bicycle

I never seen mustache bars... i bet no bike shop sells them around here... how do they handle?

turtlemilk

anyone have any ideal what this is? thunder road? is this a wal mart bike?

https://sarasota.craigslist.org/bik/1568468883.html

10 Wheels

Huffy

treebound 

I think the Varsity would be better than that Thunder Road one.

Converting a drop bar bike to flat bars will require brake levers and possibly cables and housings to do it right and nice. Maybe even a stem if the reach needs adjustment.

Spend some time looking at the vintage MTB thread in this C&V section, and also look at the Clunker thread in the Commuting forum on the site here. As soon as you start talking about jumping off the pavement to dodge cars tells me a lightweight road bike with skinny tires won't last long.

Flat bars are not condusive to riding in 50mph winds.

Cross bikes are sort of like heavy duty road bikes, usually with higher bottom brackets. They are usually a bit more money because they are a relatively recent development in bike geometry.

A touring bike might hold up but doesn't really have the quick handling needed for dodging cars.

Time to read. Let us know what you decide.

RobbieTunes

Whatever you get, just remember this:

You do not need a helmet.

Really, I mean it.

Don't get one.

Trust me.

slushlover2

EjustE

That sounds like a Darwinism...

treebound 

Looks like a fairly active club in Ft Myers
https://www.caloosariders.com/Rides.html

And looks like a LBS should be able to order any handlebars available.

Might want to leave the 15" knife at home if you visit the club or shops.

Some of the pics I Googled look like it's a decent place to ride.

turtlemilk

they sell Varsity bikes at wal mart.....

I will wear a motorcycle helmet before i wear one of those stupid egg head helmets.

EjustE

sounds about right (per what Robbietunes was suggesting)...

how is that Fiero, btw?

turtlemilk

the fiero.... i just have to drop the motor........... https://img8.imageshack.us/img8/1923/1002533l.jpg