spray2020

Hi guys,

I recently moved to Pasadena for graduate school a week ago and decided to leave my single speed at home.

I found an apartment 20 minutes bicycle ride from my school and planned to ride my bicycle to school to keep the miles off my acura and to get some exercise.

The problem is, the last time I went bicycle shopping for a vintage 10 speed, it was back in 2009 when the prices were normal, now everything I see listed goes for $250 minimum.

I honestly just want something for $50-150 range, a vintage lugged road bicycle to get me from point a to b. Any idea where to search? I fit a 48cm-50cm frame.

Cheers,

Cody

Pamestique 

As long as what you want is transportation and not to collect, try thrift shops or contact Bicycle Kitchen in Pasadena to see if they have something. Or good ole fashion wants ads/Penny Saver...not Craigslist where everything seems to be inflated. The best deals to be found maybe be garage sales... start driving around early Saturday mornings in nice neighborhoods...

Gallo

would probably cost you about that price to ship your bike and might be the best option

given your range money wise and combined with the size which is not common, I do not think it will be easy to find what you want.

spray2020

Yeah I heard that garage sales are the place to go- however there are guys out there who get to them super early and buy up all the good bikes

Will try bicycle kitchen to see if I can work out a bicycle for offering some help.

Yeah I have been toying with the idea, but I am not sure if I want my single speed out here, as I prefer a geared bicycle with the hills. I wish I could fit a more common sized bicycle, however I love the look of a small frame.

volosong

Pasadena is pretty flat. Just a few minor hills on the western edge of the city, and up to Altadena/Sierra Madre, (if that is the location of your apartment). Even with those, a SS would be fine in Pasadena. There are certainly enough riders with such bikes in the area.

CalTech? They have a pretty active bicycle club. You might check what they have to suggest. Oxy? Don't know what they have, (does Occidental even offer graduate degrees?).

skidder

Do you really need a traditional-style 'roadie' bicycle? Try looking on Craigslist or local ads for an old fully-rigid MTB, put some road tires on it (26" x 1.5" are easy to find), and that should work. I've found that old lugged road bikes are pretty pricey here in SoCal, but I always run across old MTBs for <$100. I've got one I use for early morning workout rides during the week, and two others I picked up (and am holidng 'in reserve') because they were such great values.

chefxian

One thing to consider about garage sale bike is generally they need tires, tubes and chains. Especially at that price range. We get them at the shop all the time and that is usually another 20 plus bucks up. Agreed about the pricing on Craigslist for road bikes. The prices are way over inflated especially for road bikes as people think because a vintage Murray with rusted chain, cranks and handlebars with 2 flat tires is "collectible"

bikemig 

If you're persistent, you'll still find some square deals, I think, on CL. There is a lot of dead inventory on CL because people think that old so-so bikes can command silly prices.

Flying Merkel

Check C-list three-four times a day. I found a fantastic 1986 Nishiki Olympic 12 for $25.00. New tires, cables, bar wrap AND a complete strip down & rebuild netted me a great riding bike. Sold it for $220. It would have gone for more but I liked the kid who bought it.

As found, it was unrideable pile of potential. Had to saw the tires off the rims. All the grease was the consistency of a bar of soap. Don't use price as a guide, think value. For $220, my guy got a great deal, less than the labor cost for repairs at the local Performance Bike shop. Their prices are fair.

Your $150 ten speed could be a complete roach. There's no logic required for pricing used bikes

blarnie

Open Road Cycles in Pasadena will have what you're looking for.