It's the end
12-03-09, 02:14 AM
#1
kamikaze college commuter
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It's the end
...of my bike for now. Apparently, over the Thanksgiving holiday, somebody had a bit of "wheel trouble" and was desperate enough that they unbolted my front wheel and ran off with it, even if it was bent and the tire was half-dead. The individual was so kind as to just toss my locked frame onto the side and scatter the hardware about the ground. So I'm back to square one now - no bike. The question now, is what do I do?
I did some quick math and if I buy a new wheel, I'll have to scrape up at least $50.
2 Tubes @ 4.99 = 9.98
1 (used) wheel = at least 10
2 new tires @ 17.99 = 35.98
=$55.96 without tax and labor, not to mention any loose pieces missing - I have what appears to be everything except this "ring" resembling the one that you see on a key chain - a non-connected metal loop.
At this point, I'm kinda split over what to do. Remember that this bike was a freebie Free Spirit bike that wasn't the best to begin with. Is it more economical to just buy another used bike or should I keep this thing on the road?
The frame, while beat to hell is still straight, the brakes work, and the gears work, if reluctantly. The steering, however, is off; something in the headset is loose and the remaining tire is so worn small chunks have fallen out.
So, in your opinion, what would you do?
I did some quick math and if I buy a new wheel, I'll have to scrape up at least $50.
2 Tubes @ 4.99 = 9.98
1 (used) wheel = at least 10
2 new tires @ 17.99 = 35.98
=$55.96 without tax and labor, not to mention any loose pieces missing - I have what appears to be everything except this "ring" resembling the one that you see on a key chain - a non-connected metal loop.
At this point, I'm kinda split over what to do. Remember that this bike was a freebie Free Spirit bike that wasn't the best to begin with. Is it more economical to just buy another used bike or should I keep this thing on the road?
The frame, while beat to hell is still straight, the brakes work, and the gears work, if reluctantly. The steering, however, is off; something in the headset is loose and the remaining tire is so worn small chunks have fallen out.
So, in your opinion, what would you do?
12-03-09, 03:44 AM
#2
Peloton Shelter Dog
What would I do? I'd buy a new Cervelo for $5K of course. Actually, dealers have them coming out of their aholes, so more like $4K or less.
12-03-09, 03:59 AM
#3
Primate
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I'd check my local Craigslist for a new beater. Hang onto the old one for parts or make art out of it.
12-03-09, 05:27 AM
#5
ka maté ka maté ka ora
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that free spirit makes a great boat anchor
12-03-09, 05:34 AM
#6
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Sorry to hear of your loss due to theft. That sucks. You know, I have recently seen twenty-something guys walking around carrying wheels and I always wonder, “did that dude steal that wheel?” because it is just odd to see a guy walking down the street with a bicycle wheel in his hand. It is almost always the front wheel for some reason.
It looks like wheel theft is back after nearly two decades of dis-interest by thieves.
The guy had to be hard up to steal a Free Spirit wheel. Aren’t those chrome steel rims? More likely than not, the guy was stealing it to bring to the metal recycling center.
If I am thinking of the same “Free Spirit”, it is an old Sears bicycle. Those were the garden-variety gas-pipe ten speeds. No big loss from a financial standpoint. You should be able to replace the whole bike at a thrift store or yard sale for about $25.00. Don’t put $55.00 into a new wheel. That doesn’t make any sense. Go get a bike at a thrift store to either part-out for spares, or to replace your old bike completely.
It looks like wheel theft is back after nearly two decades of dis-interest by thieves.
The guy had to be hard up to steal a Free Spirit wheel. Aren’t those chrome steel rims? More likely than not, the guy was stealing it to bring to the metal recycling center.
If I am thinking of the same “Free Spirit”, it is an old Sears bicycle. Those were the garden-variety gas-pipe ten speeds. No big loss from a financial standpoint. You should be able to replace the whole bike at a thrift store or yard sale for about $25.00. Don’t put $55.00 into a new wheel. That doesn’t make any sense. Go get a bike at a thrift store to either part-out for spares, or to replace your old bike completely.
12-03-09, 07:11 AM
#7
Senior Member
Where do you live? Stop by the house if your near Cleveland and Ill give you a bike to help get you back on the road.
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Kona Jake the Snake
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12-03-09, 07:27 AM
#8
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Somebody stole my car??...
But seriously, extremely nice gesture. I'd be willing to kick in a few bucks towards shipping if pick up is not possible. Perhaps others would be so kind as to give a few bucks and help cover shipping in total??
It'd be like the ChriKwanzHannaDan BF miracle.
12-03-09, 07:34 AM
#9
Old but New
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Somebody stole my car??...
But seriously, extremely nice gesture. I'd be willing to kick in a few bucks towards shipping if pick up is not possible. Perhaps others would be so kind as to give a few bucks and help cover shipping in total??
It'd be like the ChriKwanzHannaDan BF miracle.
But seriously, extremely nice gesture. I'd be willing to kick in a few bucks towards shipping if pick up is not possible. Perhaps others would be so kind as to give a few bucks and help cover shipping in total??
It'd be like the ChriKwanzHannaDan BF miracle.
12-03-09, 07:34 AM
#10
Medicinal Cyclist
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Pcad's sage advice aside, I think you can pick up a (probably better anyway) used bike from C-list or even a decent LBS for around $100. My dad bought a used Specialized Rockhopper MTB from a bike shop for $100 in Madison, WI--in excellent condition.
12-03-09, 08:26 AM
#11
Senior Member
What it would cost to ship a bike from anywhere to anywhere would
cost more than a C-list beater.
cost more than a C-list beater.
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Kona Jake the Snake
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12-03-09, 08:56 AM
#12
Medicinal Cyclist
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Just to clarify, Gary, my "probably better anyway" comment referenced his current bike, not one of yours, obviously.
12-03-09, 09:08 AM
#13
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12-03-09, 09:08 AM
#14
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Not trying to be picky, but if its just the front wheel stolen you only need 1 new tire and 1 new tube, so knock $20 off your estimated cost. A used wheel might even have serviceable tire and tube.
12-03-09, 10:16 AM
#15
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Maybe go buy you a brand new bike from Walmart. They have those highly praised Denali's that you can pick up for next to nothing.
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12-03-09, 02:08 PM
#16
kamikaze college commuter
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I'll buy one when I go through my midlife crisis. hahaNo. (inserts inspirational monologue)
Sorry to hear of your loss due to theft. That sucks. You know, I have recently seen twenty-something guys walking around carrying wheels and I always wonder, “did that dude steal that wheel?” because it is just odd to see a guy walking down the street with a bicycle wheel in his hand. It is almost always the front wheel for some reason.
It looks like wheel theft is back after nearly two decades of dis-interest by thieves.
The guy had to be hard up to steal a Free Spirit wheel. Aren’t those chrome steel rims? More likely than not, the guy was stealing it to bring to the metal recycling center.
If I am thinking of the same “Free Spirit”, it is an old Sears bicycle. Those were the garden-variety gas-pipe ten speeds. No big loss from a financial standpoint. You should be able to replace the whole bike at a thrift store or yard sale for about $25.00. Don’t put $55.00 into a new wheel. That doesn’t make any sense. Go get a bike at a thrift store to either part-out for spares, or to replace your old bike completely.
It looks like wheel theft is back after nearly two decades of dis-interest by thieves.
The guy had to be hard up to steal a Free Spirit wheel. Aren’t those chrome steel rims? More likely than not, the guy was stealing it to bring to the metal recycling center.
If I am thinking of the same “Free Spirit”, it is an old Sears bicycle. Those were the garden-variety gas-pipe ten speeds. No big loss from a financial standpoint. You should be able to replace the whole bike at a thrift store or yard sale for about $25.00. Don’t put $55.00 into a new wheel. That doesn’t make any sense. Go get a bike at a thrift store to either part-out for spares, or to replace your old bike completely.
But I think I'll survive - I've been looking at nicer bikes lately and there's a whole bunch in the SF bay area/Sacramento area just waiting to be found! As for your reply, Steve, that would be the best case scenario. I'll keep up hope though.
thanks for all your advice!
12-08-09, 02:22 AM
#17
kamikaze college commuter
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Great news!
I managed to get it back on the road with a combo of new/used parts for about $20!
I managed to get it back on the road with a combo of new/used parts for about $20!
