My freebie (thanks Kymber) bike had a rear flat. After a very messy attempt to use a can of Fix-A-Flat on it ("Warning: Do not attempt to use on bicycle tires." said the can.) I took it by Blue Wheel Bikes to get repaired. Quoted cost over the phone: $9.50. Standing there as the owner (?) fixed something else, I asked if there was any way to fix my bike's broken shifter for less than the value of the bike. Since the value of the bike was apparently about $10, the answer was no.
Still, planning to get it repaired, I look around at the bikes.
"Do you ever deal in anything used?" I ask innocently.
"We do take trade ins, and it happens I have something now that would fit you."
"Funny you should mention it, because I don't even know what size bike I should be looking for."
See, I thought maybe I needed a 17 or 18 inch frame. Nope. The owner rolled out a 21" frame mountain bike. Biggest I've ever seen. So after a test drive, I'm now the owner of the best bike I've ever had and the only bike that has fit me since I was 13 or so. I actually have to put my toe out to touch the ground from the seat. I'm not hunched up between the seat and the handlebar.
Blue wheel even swapped my old, still new-ish front tire for the older, worn down to nubs front tire on the new bike.
With the fenders and the new lock, it only exceeded my vague budget by a bit and less than forty times the $9.50 flat repair quote.
Plus I got the silly looking fenders added, so I can finally ride my bike to work in the rain without getting mud splashed.
As I was gathering up my stuff to go, the owner said "Most profitable flat repair I've done all day!"
I don't know anything about bike brands, but for those who care it is an "entry level" brand and model, a 21" Gary Fisher Genesis Mountain bike, two years old. And green! Not exactly heraldic green though. The oddest thing is that as big as this bike is, there's not room inside the frame to attach the lock mounting bracket. The tubes on the aluminum frame are too big for the bracket, at least anywhere that the lock will fit.
So now I just need to get it registered with the Charlottesville police (in case it gets stolen) and dig up some
Apple stickers to completely nerd-ify it. Already added my last
Tom Bihn sticker to the rear fender.
It occurs to me that this bike may be a bit theft resistant, just because many thieves won't be able to ride it. Their feet won't reach!
Are you planning to start
Are you planning to start commuting on it regularly? Guenievre and I just started doing that this week, and I must say, it's a lot of fun and makes for a very nice ride. If you want, I can send you some links on bike commuting.
Girard
w00t!
I have a fabu *orange* bike (stunned, aren't you) that qualifies as My Most Expensive Pair of Hiking Socks Ever from Hudson Trail. :-) Electra Townie something-or-other. It matched the nail polish I was wearing, and was supercomfy to ride (no hunchback!), and fit in my then-car; lots to like. :-)
(( I may have some OLD rainbow-y Apple stickers lurking somewhere, if you're in need .... ))
Nice !
Sweet ride !
That's awesome!! love the
That's awesome!! love the green!
I went to a place that fixed lawn mowers to look at options. I told them since I didn't have the trailer, I couldn't have one since it wouldn't fit in the back of the truck. Well, we squished the tires the last inch to get the tail gate closed and now I have a mower I can ride on and it mows twice as much at a time as the old push one. And it can pull stuff (not that I have stuff to pull) Its a toy, and I like them.
Have fun on your ride!
Roisin
That's the most Corby like
That's the most Corby like bike I've ever seen!
Big, green, slightly obnoxious, and totally user friendly only to the owner! :)
Then again, the last bike I rode was pink with a flowered plastic basket on the front, and I think I was 10. Me and my balance and bikes are not friends.