DMC707

TRue freedom is not being married to those pesky car payments, (or worse, the discipline it would take to save up for a cash money new car deal ) or even a pride of ownership that would make me want to invest in a garage. Plus, when the greasy thing under the hood at the front of the car stops makinmg noise, i simply leave it on the shoulder of the road and hit Pat and Charlie to the next $500 deal. Because insurance, tags and registration is expensive, i dont do them, so there are never any repercussions to me just leaving my old cars laying about and besides the money i save on those trivialities helps me buy my next one !


.................. Oooooooooohhhh ! I see one now! Looks like a Ford Festival with mismatched tires, hail damage and some mystery stains on the upholstery ---- but theres a Ariana Garande CD case in the floorboard - maybe i'll get lucky and itll still be in there !



(tongue in cheek response --- which also begs the question - what does tongue in cheek actually mean? Surely its not a make out session by the light of the moon )

LifeNovice1

These responses are interesting. Without even riding this bike, the majority just "know" it's a horrible bike that runs poorly and that every pedal-stroke is just sheer misery. You guys are hilarious. You know so much without really knowing anything.

LifeNovice1

[QUOTE=alcjphil;22063136]Just trying to wrap my head around the amount of work (and money) needed to make 40 $25 bikes rideable. Would rather have a bike that I can ride as much as possible[/QUOTE
I made the one rideable after 30 min. So I guess 20 hours amortized over at least 40 years. That's probably a lot less time than most of you regulars spend on this board!

LifeNovice1

I think it just kills some of you to think I'm enjoying a $25 bike as much as a $1500 Surly or $3000 road bike!

alcjphil

What are the odds that 40 $25 bikes would need an average of 30 minutes each?

LifeNovice1

Great idea!

LifeNovice1

Probably better odds than most corksniffing naysayers on here would think! Especially if you...oh I don't know...actually look over and inspect the bikes before buying them.

LifeNovice1

Thanks! I agree 100%

I'm certainly not saying it's as good as a 1000 or even 500 dollar bike. It's got plastic brake cable adjusters, cheap plastic pedals, probably the cheapest derailleur Shimano makes. I bought it more to see how long a bike this cheap lasts if I put 10-20 miles a week on it. Maybe it will be garbage in a month! I just get irritated by people who just "know" it's unrideable without knowing where I'm riding it or where it's being ridden and I can't help some of the naysayers feel a little threatened that their dogma is being challenged a bit.

AlmostTrick

I've picked up plenty of bikes for free over the years that were easily made ridable for little to no dollars and time. Some were actually pretty nice, especially the Schwinns.

Here's one of my free bikes, but there have been dozens more. Greased the bearings, oiled the chain, filled the tires and rode for years. Then sold it for $25.

LifeNovice1 How about posting a pic of your $25 bike?

Phil_gretz

Personally, I didn't comment on your bicycle at all. Not familiar with it, I cannot say whether or not it fits your needs. You say that you're happy, and that's fine.

I commented on the false economy that 40 such finds, over a lifetime of riding would be equivalent to the experience of riding a better bicycle. It isn't for most. I chose the Honda Accord because of its availability. Almost everyone has ridden in a new Accord or Camry and understands the value proposition that these cars offer. Most of us have also driven inexpensive, almost discarded cars at one point in our lives. Many of us fixed them up as our first car, or did the same for a grown child. Those cars were functional and generally safe enough. But the suspensions would be shot, the bearings questionable, transmissions dying, etc.

Anyway, don't preach a false economy that stretches beyond your present experience. That's my point.

Koyote

More like comparing a second-hand Yugo to a new Honda Accord. But yeah, I get you.


Have you owned a $1500 Surly or a $3000 road bike? I haven't read the entire thread, so am not sure.

Wildwood 

There is a reason the Mechanics Forum always has more members signed-in and more guests lurking!

Sometimes how much one spends on a project reveals how much they value that project. Cycling isn't valued highly by lots of people.

zandoval 

Being a cheap bastard over the years there have been allot of things that I have unfortunately ignored when ridding. Loose or un-tuned spokes and wheels is no longer one of them. Two times I have had a near catastrophic failure due to ignored spokes. Both times I luckily was not moving fast and was not in traffic. Recheck those spokes/wheels.

I think its " A-OK" that you are on an affordable bike. Most of us have been there. The thing is to ride. A thousand dollar plus bicycle hanging on the wall is just another piece of furniture. A beater bike on a down hill run can put bugs in your teeth... Happy Happy... Joy JOY!!!

Wildwood 

Clunker 100 Challenge COVID 2.0 edition #7 - Bike Forums

Here's a good thread to compare what is possible for under $100. Most members in The Clunker Challenge have learned to wrench their own bikes.

AlmostTrick

I've not looked closely at that. Are they allowed to use parts from their "stash"? If yes, (unless they got it free or are accounting for the costs) that's cheating.

Wildwood 

I have not participated, but -
The rules are simple. Every 'new' part gets assigned a value. Honor code. Play honorably.

Detailed rules usually laid out in first few posts. Max of $100 spent on a bike you ride 100miles, and presumably many more. Note for original poster - one doesn't have to recklessly spend $100 to participate.

AlmostTrick

Thanks WW. I think I'll check it out.

LifeNovice1

Love that thread! I have seen bikes tossed in the dumpster pile at my county dump but unfortunately they were surrounded a lot of sharp rusty objects. I may have to revisit those bikes. It would be great to fix them up and donate some. We live in such a throwaway society these days.

shelbyfv

I don't have personal experience with bestiality so I'll have to take your word for that. However, many might find your description offensive. IMO it trivializes both **** and abuse of animals. Maybe you can do better next time.

Koyote

I’m still curious about the answer to this question.

BlazingPedals

It looks like your standard department-store hybrid. I seriously doubt most of us here would classify it as 'lightweight,' but at least it doesn't have suspension to weigh it down even more. It's only got 7 speeds, so that means less fiddling with derailleur and cable adjustments. The brakes need to be toed in to stop the squealing. The squealing is caused by the arms twisting as the pad is pulled forward and the trailing edge is the only bit of the pad in contact with the rim. The trailing edge grabs, releases, and grabs again, all at a fairly high frequency, resulting in the familiar sound. You want the leading edge to hit the rim first and not let the arms twist enough to have the leading edge leave the rim until you let off the brakes. Cheap arms twist more than good alloy, forged arms; so cheaper brakes require more toe-in than more expensive ones. If you don't have enough room, you might have to undo the cable, toe them in, then re-adjust the cable.

DMC707

doesnt have to be a bestiality thing at all

I saw a retriever dog i am dog sitting try to mount up and do the hunchgoblin to one of my mini pigs --- although technically a "mini" my Chloe girl weighs about 120 ---- that dog wont soon be trying that again

indyfabz

Not me. I spend my money on things that will do what I want them to do. Those racks alone have a replacement value of around $450. I doubt you will ever have this much enjoyment on a bike.

Wildwood 

Gauging enjoyment of others is a stretch.
Personally, I never got much enjoyment if I got soaking WET on a tour.
But we almost never enjoyed skies like that in a coastal California summer.

Koyote

I doubt that the OP even knows what he's missing.