The SECRET The Bike Industry DOES NOT Want You To Know

[@ReCyclesBikes_]

I own and operate one of these stores. Recycles Bikes in Frederick Maryland. We stick to shop quality brands from the last 30 years or so, refurb them and sell them with a warranty. Appreciate your perspective in this video, thanks for sharing

[@michaelgeisert289]

Great bike store in Charlottesville VA that refurbs old bikes for sale and give to people who need them. Community Bikes on Preston.

[@andrewking1122]

I did some volunteer work at the bike collective in Ogden, Utah years ago. One of the programs they had was getting underprivileged kids on bikes by teaching them how to fix them and at the end of the free course the kids would get the bike they fixed up.

[@johnnydoe66]

A month ago, my wife and I were in Salt Lake. I made it a point to visit the Bicycle Collective in SL and Provo because of your channel. You definitely have very good access to used bikes that I wish more cities had. We used to have a place in Tulsa, OK called the Hub, but it closed permanently during Covid. I love places like this who do a good thing for the community, easy access to affordable bikes, a work program, and a place to donate bikes that would otherwise end up in the trash. I saw an example of what you're talking about while visiting the SLBC. One employee was helping a young man with a 90's Trek, got him fitted, and then loaded the bike up on his car to give the guy a ride home.

[@oldshovel]

Spot on. Thank you my friend. It’s sad to me the some shops like the Hub have closed. I love that there are folks out there keeping and restoring the awesome gems that we’ve had throughout the years.

[@Nemo59646]

I've cerebral palsy, I'm 65. I can't walk but a couple of yards. I have a Halfords Carrera Subway 8 Hybrid Bike its about 30+ years.The brakes are over engineered old disk brakes,which are a bit of a pain to maintain. I've just ran out of eggs and bread,so I'll cycle to my local Aldi about a mile away. Bicycles are wonderful for people with mobility problems I wish channels would interview disabled people who love cycling. Best wishes from the UK.

[@oldshovel]

Thank you for sharing your story my friend. I agree. I want to hear stories like yours. I’m should get out and interview folks.

[@Nemo59646]

@@oldshovel Thank you. A lot of health issues in the UK are related to lack of exercise and diet. I wish the UK and the USA had the same joined up infrastructure they have in the Netherlands,but I understand the USA is geographically huge.

[@tonyamaral6995]

Yah here in California there are no bikes at the thrift stores and when you do find them they have a single cheap Walmart bike and want $150 for it.

[@JettBlast]

Here in Georgia, it's the same, especially at Goodwill. They have marked-up stuff from Dollar Tree for $3-5 that you can get for $1.25. I would pick up one of the Mongoose's bikes, put new tires on it, then go through it and have a blast.

[@mncrawlerscompscale4631]

Recently got a 1997 specialized allez at my local goodwill .. $19.99 Carbon fork and Shimano ultegra.. think almost $2k new .. my score of the summer bike farming !!

[@tmayberry7559]

😊😊😊😊😊😊👍👍

[@YerBrwnDogAteMyRabit]

I found a Specialized Allez (no idea on year, but it's a special "signature" edition with someone's name on it that escapes me. It's blue w/ the name in yellow. Same day, I looked it up, and someone was restoring one on Reddit. Pretty sure its 90's vintage. Mint aside from dry rotted tires would be an understatement. Looks like someone rode it a few times, then hung it in the n garage and forgot about it. Pretty sure the wife wanted to strangle me when I swerved over to scoop it and put it in the car. It's one of maybe 8 or so good bikes I've found being tossed. Walmart bikes are always on the curb, where they belong. Ride around on bulk junk pick-up day in a given town, and it can be a gold mine of free, forgotten gems that walk all over the stupidly priced thrift garbage that I'd just give away if someone wanted it, if I was foolish enough to drag it home to begin with. Nice score man! Good luck with it.

[@AtamOgeid]

For the past two years I go into thrift stores especially goodwill stores looking for bikes. All I can find are $79.99 old and rusty Walmart bikes.

[@theymademepickaname1248]

I volunteer sometimes at a bike co-op, and most of what they get is $hit as well.

[@pex3]

Same. No decent brands at all. Also found the same for wristwatches, it's always like absolute garbage. Rare to see even a Timex or Casio.

[@LaserrSharp]

@@theymademepickaname1248 I find that most co-ops keep the good shit for themselves and put the remaining crap on the floor to sell.

[@jamesklarevas5091]

In order to get a nice frame through a donation org, you need to have someone who has a nice frame but doesn't know it's nice (or is too wealthy to care about investing time in selling it). So yeah, 95% of what comes through are scrap-heaps, but that 5% can be anything from a decent old cruiser to top-top-end small framebuilder customs. Just gotta stay vigilant.

[@theymademepickaname1248]

@@LaserrSharp that's 100% what they do at the one I go to. I don't expect to ever find a deal there, but they have lots of tools and a few knowledgeable people, so it's worth going.

[@robertmcfadyen9156]

The Zaskar in yellow and blue at 4:50 is a great find . An enthusiast should buy her !

[@Oldmtbdad]

I came here to say the same thing. I let out an audible sigh because I’m on the other side of the country and would grab that bike if I was closer.

[@robertmcfadyen9156]

@Oldmtbdad Would you put some Marzocchi Bomber forks on it ? My Trek 4300 , 2009 custom build is seen at Fulcher's Cyclery , Panania , Australia on Google images .

[@techjunkie68smusicandtech56]

one of the limiting factors of that lovely bike is the size, it's a very large frame which makes it difficult to sell to the average height man or woman. If you were considering going off road on a GT Zaskar it would have to be about 16" or 18" frame (Medium-Large) Anything bigger would be very awkward to handle off road. I would suspect that the owner of that GT would have tried to sell but ended up donating as it is difficult to sell such a large framed bike, considering the intended function. It would be more suited to cruising and commuting as it has a pannier rack fitted already.

[@cunvericht]

Great video as always. I volunteer at the Huntsville Urban Bike Share CoOp and it's amazing to get in a previously enjoyed bike, fix it back up to good working condition and seeing it get a new owner to enjoy it again. Thanks for sharing your experiences and bringing attention to the work other CoOps do.

[@jeffreyberndtson1456]

Agree about road bikes with one exception-many of them from last 20 years restrict you to 25mm tires. My favorite bike now is an 50 year old steel frame that I have 38mm tires and could take bigger. Once you ride good supple wide tires it’s hard to go back to skinny high pressure tires. Great video and absolutely right for most folks.

[@kitmichas6985]

Actually most road bikes build today have clearance from 32mm up to 42 depending on the brand. it was the 90s and early 2000s where 23mm was so prevalent

[@jeffreyberndtson1456]

@ That’s my point-we are talking about used bikes-frames up to 80’s could take wide tires-but bikes from 90’s to the mid 2010’s until the relatively recent conversion to gravel/ wide tires only take skinny rubber- like all the road bikes shown at the co-op

[@escgoogle3865]

My race bike came from a co-op. 1994 EL/OS columbus fully chromed lugged steel frame (versions were raced in europe) Max: 25mm on the front and 23mm on the rear. 53/39 with a 13-25 Sachs new success drive train. I don't ride it much but I always wanted a sparkly shiney bike.

[@SurpriseMeJT]

With skinny thin-walled steel tubed frames and forks, bigger tires aren't necessary for a smooth ride. The only reason why fatter tires on road bikes improves comfort so much today is due to the fact that frames and forks have been getting stiffer for no reason other than to sell you something new. I do agree that a wider tire improves traction, but it's possible to simply run lower pressures on 25mm tires if you aren't overweight. I built up an old 80's Peugeot racing bike with Reynolds 653 tubes and with 23mm tires and its far more comfortable than my titanium Seven with 32mm tires and massively oversized fork steerer and blades. A lot of vibration is dissepated from the fork and steerer where modern bike designs somehow rationed that making these parts massively oversized was serve some sort of function, which it does not.

[@UserNo13]

Yeah my 2014 road bike maxes out at 28mm due to a restriction on the seat stay. The front could go larger but it would look weird.

[@gman6059]

There isn't anywhere I can't go in my 90's hardtail mountain bike. I may be slower than my modern road/gravel/mountain bike, but I'll get there.

[@techjunkie68smusicandtech56]

speed isn't everything, what counts is the joy from riding your bike!

[@skookum696]

Can’t discount Facebook marketplace either...dangerous place for hours of perusing! Just picked up a 1996 Kona Fire Mountain for 100 bucks! All original except tires. Recable everything on Sunday then time to hit some sweet Oregon two track. Thank you for the inspiration!

[@jameezbikes5943]

Nice!! I live in Oregon too 😊

[@arsenyyesenin8999]

Started to watch your videos since 2020, right after I moved to Germany when I got my first job as a bike mechanic. I actually learned quite a lot about the bicycles since then and there’s still a lot to learn. But what’s cool is that I can follow my passion and help out the community, fix bikes for people I know, earn some extra buck on a side / sometimes I really do it for free if a person cannot afford the repair. Because one more person on a bike is always good. Thanks for your inspiration, maybe one day I’ll have my own bike shop. I like this talking format as well, just really nice to get to know what thoughts you’ve got to share. Greets from Germany ❤

Many thanks from Spain. The work that people like you, the Bike guy, Pathlesspedaled, Spindatt, The MonkeyShred or Depue's shop, among others, is awesome. Many thanks! If I ever go to Salt Lake I'll visit the Bicycle collective. For sure! 😀😀😀

[@jefftoonstra5087]

I would add the KZbin channel, the bikefarmer to that list

[@drmoynihan]

Our local "Bicycle Collective" is wonderful - a true treasure for our community. Myself, I do own some expensive FS Mtnbikes which are fantastic - which I will take there to tune up periodically. And I also volunteer periodically. I asked about cash donations but they said that most of their support was from donated bikes that we fix up and sale. P.S. Any child gets a free bike!!!

[@tlister67]

I volunteer refurbing bikes at a local thrift store in MA. We are the only thrift store I know of in the area that even sells donated bikes, I doubt they even take them as donations. Our bikes sell from $60 to $200 with average around $90. Many are dept store bikes. We sell about 300 per year. There is a large seasonal workforce here that generally do not have transportation. Then we have seasonal residents looking for a short term bike.

[@Punxish]

My local shop is a specialized dealer and has a bunch of 2021 and 2022 brand new bicycles that are still unsold, so I put them on eBay for them and were selling them at a price that they actually sold. I came to learn that specialized monitors sites like ebay and told the dealer we were selling them too low and to take them down. This shows firsthand that they do not care to sell the bike at what it’s actually worth, they want to gouge you and sell it for what you think it’s worth.

[@robertmcfadyen9156]

This is in conflict with their own instruction to dealers to discount older stock as seen on their website .

[@robertmcfadyen9156]

When listing these new old stock bicycles on ebay , don't give the impression that they are shop stock but private sale items , like a private seller . Don't mention business names or suggestions in the listing description or dealer staff names .

[@13opacus]

Specialised are cycling’s Scientology.

[@The-Jokes-on-You]

Specialized is such a trash company. They have filed so many over the top & frivolous lawsuits throughout the decades to protect their brand. Things like suing someone for using colors such as red & white to using the name of a French city they named one of their bikes after. They can't go out of business fast enough as far as I'm concerned.

[@andrewgoddard3350]

They make nice bikes but they are high in price.... it's made in China

[@watdanuqta-mf5ms]

You're the second shop on KZbin, the other one in Wisconsin who promotes this ideology with bikes and I agree. I'm a sixtyish cyclist in Chicago who mostly rides are beautiful lakefront and while I ride nice road bikes, I find it hilarious that carbon fiber frames(don't trust them), disc brakes, battery operated shifters are pushed on me. Illinois is basically flat, not to mention unless I'm a competitive rider, all that stuff is just nonsense, and a lot more maintenance, etc. Yes, I still use and like the look and feel of Ultegra, Durace, components, even if I don't need them.

[@paulhiggins6024]

Disc brakes are an improvement in the UK, where it’s never not raining somewhere. Before discs, rim brakes were fine for years and years, esp if just out for a bimble.

[@michaeldower3041]

I find bikes at the roadside for my learning curve. Was given a rigid gravel bike as a project and your vid keeps the juices flowing to learn DIY maintenance. Thankyou

[@nigew25]

The stuff we buy and throw away is an endless cycle. For every one decent bike find in a secord hand there must be 100 decent bikes that are never used, sat in people's garages and then thrown away in the skip! More money than sense comes to mind, which we can all be guilty of some time. We need more ways/places to take our unwanted stuff, which someone else could use. The problem is can we be bothered to do it?

[@johnherzel718]

The world is a better place….thank you to all who continue to make it possible.

[@bah5310]

I took a 2 day course for bicycle maintenance and repair. I really enjoy working on bikes and reconditioned an old Trek hybrid and in the process of building a corner bar gravel bike.

[@markreed2614]

I wish I lived closer to a bike collective. Great video!

[@robertmcfadyen9156]

Cycle - Re - Cycle Workshop at Raglan street ,Waterloo , in Sydney , Australia , gets donations of bicycles and components . They allow you to build a bicycle for yourself for free if you don't already have one . A small donation of money or parts , tools , cleaning materials or lubricants is recommended . They meet on Saturdays between 12 and 4PM .

[@HeathIngham1971]

Great video. I am currently riding a 2001 Giant Warp DS2, which I have upgraded with disc brakes and updated components, although the derailleurs are still the originals. There is a guy here in Newcastle, NSW Australia, who runs a bike scrapyard. He sells and even lends complete bikes that he has rebuilt. He has even given away bikes to people who are struggling financially.

[@saddleweary2777]

I still ride my 2000 Warp Ds1. It's good to hear others are doing the same thing.

[@dennisfloyd8514]

Old Shovel on a Sunday Morning ❤

[@oldshovel]

Thanks my friend 🙌

[@bryanb6931]

Coffee and Old Shovel on a Sunday morning, Great close to the week.

[@a.s.5571]

Sorry but sunday is the First day of the week

[@mattgatof4174]

Love the ethos of your channel. How great the world would be if there was more of this. Keep up the great work

[@tedoyle61]

With the cost of new bikes, oh, heck I can't afford those... I'll gladly take one that I can work on and make it mine. THANK YOU for the story, and the inspiration,

[@mitchpaliga4851]

I donated my 1995 Stumpjumper to Working Bikes here in Chicago. It was well maintained with every part upgraded at different points in it's life with me. It felt good when I dropped it off and they were excited at how good of shape it was in. It was an easy sell for them. I'm a road biker these days.

[@jaimegomezgarcia7599]

I fully agree with you. I think there is too much industry imposition on us to have the latest in frames, components, etc. One of my bikes is 31 years old, and it works wonderfully well. And I use it almost every day!

[@G_Confalonieri]

Love your channel! I'm from Buenos Aires Argentina. I'm back into recreational biking and bought a 1994 Raleigh USA MT400 99% original parts, a bike that was my impossible dream as a young teenager. I've got another 2005 Raleigh M20 just cause of the beautiful not much seen white and purple frame. Old bikes are to enjoy and care no matter how old and "outdated" many people think they are (some look down on 26ers when we rode them for decades!!)

[@1mp0r7g4m3r]

Happy to have Express Bike Shop and Recovery Bike Shop here in Minneapolis/St Paul doing the same good work!

[@mikejones420]

I have a 2000 Schwinn rocket 88 that is my main mountain bike, and I love it, and it can do the same things, and go the same places that my previous 2021 Giant trance can do. I got the Schwinn as a frame only off ebay for $200 Canadian. Best buy I ever made love the Schwinn.

[@aaronwermers4160]

Oh man I miss my Rocket 88. Such a wonderful bike.

[@peterbaskind9872]

I am not mechanically inclined. But through KZbin videos, like yours, I have learned (with varying degrees of success) how to work on bikes. Unfortunately, we do not have a bike coop at the level you do. The one where I lived has been plagued with some internal issues. Nonetheless, bikes are available on FB Marketplace and the like. I am fortunate that I can ride whatever I want. But there is something satisfying and almost cathartic about building something up, especially when it is given away. I just love the process. There are a few bikes I built pedaling around college campuses. A couple are being ridden by employees at my law firm. It’s just fun. YOU taught me how to do it. I will never be able to do the level of work that you do. Building wheels, for instance, seems like alchemy. But it’s all one step at a time.

[@aaronrobinson4519]

WOW!!! There's nothing remotely like that around HERE! Otherwise I'd spend close to my last dime in the first store you went in. Around here, they're way more accustomed to flexing greed than accessibility and affordability for the consumer. Sad reality but a real one in Indiana. Thanks for sharing. It's nice to know there's good folks out there who are actually making owning a quality bike a much more easily reachable goal. I love seeing love. I don't get that view very often, especially up close.🙏🏾

[@johndavis659]

I completely agree 100%. As a retired store worker, manager, owner, and janitor I spent 45 -1/2 years in the industry until retirement in 2022. My last 20 years were at Mt. Airy Bicycle in Mt. Airy, MD. Having had several thousand used bikes in our warehouse allowed us to have a steady supply during the pandemic.We sold Schwinn 3-speed from the 60's and 70's, mountain bikes from the 90's and 2000's, and much much more. In 2022 I even purchased a mint condition 1996 Trek 930 rigid mountain bike for $200 on Facebook Marketplace and still enjoy it today. All 3 of my personal bikes are steel and one even has disc brakes!!!! I am not against technology but many newer high-end bikes are a pain to wrench on. Don't even get me started.....

[@rayc4543]

I have 18,000 kms on my 2018 GT Virage Elite hybrid bike, 3x9 speed Sora gears, I still have the original cranks, cassette and chain. The only things that have been replaced is the bottom bracket, tubes, tires and disc brake pads. This winter I will be converting it to a drop bar road bike, I plan to keep it running for many years to come as I refuse to pay the ridiculous prices for a new steed. Appreciate your content

[@SknappCFA]

The bike industry sells to accommodate rider vanity. No better way to send a signal of coolness to other cyclists than riding the latest expensive bike with a super loud cassette. Set it up like you’re one ride away from being invited to join a TDF team, and your cool factor will be dialed up to 11!

[@paulhiggins6024]

And don’t forget the FKW factor…..

[@fortesfortunajuvat6782]

A lot of bike stores are turning themselves into cycling boutiques. Most people can't afford those bikes or the services (which in my area run about $100/hour). Thrift stores and pawn shops are a great way to find a wonderful bike and even a parts bike. Great video.

[@ronaldrader402]

Love you channel gust getting back in the industry after a 30 year hiatus .

[@anniebikes7002]

We are lucky to have the Old Spokes Home here in Vermont. Reconditions oldies but goodies, gives away bikes to children, and also will customize either oldies or a new bike, so a wonderful mix of getting folks on bikes. Thank you for your message!

[@jahen65]

I totally agree with you on this… I have a 20 year old KLEIN aluminium road bike which is just fine for my level of competitive riding… 23mm tyres and rim brakes 😊

[@glennpettersson9002]

26 X 1.5 is a great road bike, I have a disc brake 26er MTB with 27.5 X 1.4 slicks and that too is a great road bike. Good tyres make great bikes.

[@jefffixesit60]

I love finding used bikes that need a little love and lube to bring them back to life. eBay components and garage sale bikes are my go-to’s here in the desert mountains of west Texas: our little towns are spread too far apart to support any meaningful thrift store finds. Good bikes are around, though, and they find new homes as fast as I can fix them. Keep up the good work, this new subscriber will be catching up on your videos and salivating for the next one to drop!😎❤️

[@christopherwebb3517]

There's a bike collective in Louisville, Ky. I didn't know about them until I watched one of your videos and decided to look up bike collectives in my area. It's a great place to find parts and get advice. Thanks.

[@marcomcdowell8861]

I'd be bicycle bankrupt if I lived in Utah 🤣 Between DI and the Collective, I'd be shopping weekly.

[@mibasanalfa]

Great video! The obsession with expensive bikes is like a plague here in Spain. I totally share your cycling philosophy. Greetings from Granada (Spain).

[@AliasHSW]

Recently adopted two bikes. The first one is a 26”Full Force brand hardtail. It sat at my neighborhood park just leaning on a bench for days. It’s by Specialized, a supposed precursor to its SWorks. It’s in pristine condition and rides beautifully. Then weeks later adopted a 24” Trek 6000 found on the street. It was dusty and had cobwebs and paired with a rusty kiddie bike. It’s a serendipitous find because my 10yo wants a vintage bike to juxtapose his current Commencal HT. It rides well enough but planning to bring it to Bike Kitchen in San Francisco, a non profit that provides space, tools, ♻️ parts and workshops to the community to diy repair bikes.

[@freakyp711]

Where I'm from, we had 2 bicycle shops. One really tried to sell high end performance bicycles. The one I spent 4 years working in tried to cater to more recreational and exercise riders at a reasonable price. Yes it was more than department stores. You don't get professional assembly by someone who loves bicycles, nor do you get the service at department stores. That being said, for someone who has the experience and knowledge could definitely get a great deal on a thrift store bicycle.

[@therealrosskelly]

I thrift professionally in the Midwest, i go to 3-5 stores a day. I’d be lucky to see a single bike that’s not a children’s department store bike of a Walmart beach cruiser in the course of a week. Old shovel lives in a very very strong market for used quality bikes and people seem more likely to do ate than scrap them in his area.

[@jp93309]

I miss building up old bikes for fun. I recently downsize-moved to an apartment so space is limited now. Did a dozen or so rebuilds back in the pandemic days.

[@canica99]

This is so great. So glad you are discussing this very subject about how the current market just wants us to consume and dispose. Love the channel and what you do. Cheers.

[@veonnoel8887]

I sold my car 2 years ago and bought a Ironhorse Warrior Race from my brother for $40 it needed brakes, I bought cable brakes from Amazon that work great and I ride it to and from work every day.

[@FlatlandFlow]

I own a repair only shop in WICHITA, KS. And I mostly agree. There are definitely shops pushing their own brands and the latest model years. However, I don't think it is as nefarious of an operation by "big bike" as you seem to be putting forward. Many companies I know still stand behind their product from 10 years ago if you are the original owner. In Wichita we have our own recycle shop and they do great work there, especially helping people fix huffy's and mongooses etc. What I think really needs to happen is to get the suburban families of America to either fix up and ride their 90's hardtail in their garage, or donate it, because that is still where 75% of the bikes that would be great second hand still lie, not getting utilized. Great channel, great content, keep those hands dirty, and the bikes clean. Also I dig the taco content.

[@mpetry912]

Great vid and I completely agree. Of course the Bicycle Industrial Complex wants to sell the latest and greatest 12 speed carbon bike for 12000 or more. The industry has really gotten itself overly focused on ultra high end bike because (surprise) those have the highest margin. And marketing department has to have something new to sell every year. If you go on an En Gamba ride in the bay area, a $12000 Nago or DeRosa is table stakes. I showed up on my 74 Masi and there were a lot of snooty comments ! However, the good news is e-bikes. Love them or hate them, they expand the market and that is what's needed, to get more people out on bikes and really using them for short trips. So, for shops, it's all about service. thanks for this point of view.

[@burrito_bobby]

I’ve gotten lucky to find a hand full of my GT’s at my local thrift stores. I still hunt till this day,I love it

[@indianadave8881]

Great content... You're right... The bike shop that opened up near me didn't really like me. Even though I was in there for lube, a tool, tube, or whatever often, they had no interest in helping me on my old bikes. They focused on selling expensive bikes, which, in my opinion, is where they went wrong, and didn't succeed in this small town. I do my best to convince folks that they don't need an expensive bike to ride in this town, but also convince them that buying a refurbished older bike-shop quality bike is better than a brand new Walmart bike for the same money. And you do have much more available in your area than many of us do. We have Goodwills, and one Salvation Army store in our area. The Goodwills mostly get beat up Walmart bikes. Even then, depending on who's pricing them that particular day, they want way too much for them. I did score a Schwinn Delta 88 this past weekend for $25 (after stopping at multiple stores on the way home from an estate sale 50 miles away), and have a couple other vintage bikes (My prized Mongoose Kos Kruiser, for one) that have been found at the Goodwills. Takes many stops and lots of patience, though. Oh... And I volunteer and collect bikes for our local Co-Op, and occasionally find a treasure there. I've got a Smoked Salmon 90's GT Tequesta that sat there unwanted for a few months before I decided to rescue it. I've got it rolling and riding, and am debating making it a BMX cruiser, or keeping it a mountainbike, or somewhere in between.

[@JavierRodelo-o8k]

We need a Bicycle Collective in California…. those $300 to $400 bikes would sellout. 😢 All we have are crappy Walmart bikes for $150 at thrift stores. Now, I understand how you have such cool bike collection, this is impossible in California. 😢😢

[@EEKaWILL]

Wrong you just gotta know where to look I just found a carbon diverge at my local co-op of course that was lucky but there's plenty of gems you gotta just look hard enough. And only paid 150 for it

[@JavierRodelo-o8k]

@@EEKaWILL Where are you located? You are lucky and brave, I would not buy a carbon used bike. I would be stressing about frame being damaged/ cracked..

[@timshelhamer7374]

We have a co-op in Sacramento. Many other cities as well.

[@JavierRodelo-o8k]

@@timshelhamer7374 I am in Glendale, Ca, and only found Bike Kitchen and Bike Oven. These are nonprofit organizes that help teach bike maintenance and recycling of bicycles for use in everyday transportation and recreation. I will be visiting these two in the following weeks. 😁

[@mikecleek3964]

Awesome video dude , I’m 64 just bought the bike I’ve always wanted a retired police Trek and I’m in love with it put new tires and tubes ,rear wheel w/cassette new chain cleaned it up I’m riding 😇even on gravel

[@mikecleek3964]

Bought it from a guy 100.00 he bought it at a auction up north;7 hr round trip I drove and picked it up 😊

[@notanomad9320]

I've worked with free bikes for kids twin cities for many years. Each year we get thousands of bikes. It's amazing the stuff that gets donated. Seriously how many clipless pedals and tubular tires do we really need? Were trying to sell that stuff or just give it away. Then we get the weird stuff like AutoShift and Nordic Track bikes. My job is QC mechanic that does the final check as there's not much I haven't seen in my 50 years in the bike business. Take care!

[@etr9650]

Wow. Some cool bikes at that store. the Schwinn 853 frames are probably a deal. Here in Nor Cal, I've seen young guys place well in Cat 4 road races on older steel bikes. So, totally agree that ya don't need a new bike to have fun, explore, race or just ride around the neighborhood.

[@michaelavich]

$25 rockhopper!!! Of all my bikes my favourite and most ridden are both 30yrs old. Going to be starting a build with my kid for his fully grown bike to hopefully pass on the stoke of tinkering and making things your own :)

[@hectorzunino298]

I saw a Lemond with a Campagnolo Veloce for about USD 300. Amazing. In Latinamerica that same bike, used, in bad shape, costs no less than USD 1000.

[@robbchastain3036]

Thanks for shining a light on these stores and yes, it is wonderful that we consumers have this option, so kind of previous owners to donate them to thrift stores and of the used-bike stores, as I would call them, to sell checked and prepped bikes at great prices, even unbelievable ones for long-sought favorites. And a shout to eBay and even these newer marketplaces like buycycle, fantastic that people can sell bikes directly to those who either pay or offer prices they can handle and, with eBay, if you get outbid, there is always next time. And it can be personally rewarding to buy old bikes and then find new homes for them within your circle of family and friends. And to encourage others to ride them, too. One afternoon as I was commuting through DC on Capitol Hill, I rode up alongside a young man on a vintage ladies' Schwinn Varsity. Likely an intern on the Hill, he sheepishly said it was his sister's bike and, as one who had just given one of those to a friend, I said, hey, those ride like Cadillacs, nice bike. And in closing, a word of appreciation to the bike industry for all the bikes they manufacture for us, bikes we can either afford now or in the future or simply appreciate as bikes for others to ride.

[@fed9096]

I live in Los Angeles and have often looked at high end bikes, but then I start worrying that it will get stolen or that someone will knock me off the bike and just take it! My 20 yr old schwinn mountain bike will do just fine!

[@nascarisawesome5018]

Road biking seems the same, but it really has changed a good bit. Not only disc brakes, but bigger tire clearances, better rider-oriented geometry, wider range of gears, and better sizing are a few of the many changes. It has made a huge difference as the bikes are way more comfortable and invite many riders to get out more as they don't have to worry about getting destroyed by the road with their 23c tires at 110 psi or super stiff frames. I speak from experience, having worked at a shop and having ridden both sides for an extended period of time. There is a magic to vintage bikes, but the new stuff is simply better in the road space.

[@MilesMcCusker]

No shops like that where I am, but the 2nd hand marketplaces do have great older mtb's which sell quite cheap for what they are. Not many people want to those older bikes even if they are relatively cheap. They either want a very cheap nothing bike or a brand new crap bike because it has a warranty!

[@markmeador]

I ride a Fuji Crosstown that is probably 20 years old, I got it used from a pawn shop. I replaced all of the cables and replaced the brake handles. I don’t need a $1000 bike. My son rides long distance races and every oz. of weight means something to him. Carbon fiber everything and his bikes break all of the time. It just depends on what kind of riding you do.

[@hunterchen9]

Even on our club rides, a high end, well taken care of retro bike attracts alot of attention, as it should.

[@ronarmstrong835]

I have a 15 year old Trek 820 that does everything I need very well. I would love to have a winter version of it. Single speed with coaster brakes. Seems like it would be easier to do this where you are.

[@gr8tnowwhat]

Good video, I think the only real issue is that some of those older bikes may seem perfectly good but many have components that you cannot replace, parts are not available anymore, they have compatibility issues, the repairs themselves become a can of worms as you find more and more things wrong with them and the cost goes up and up. Some older bikes with suspension from the early 90's I would not even trust to ride at this point. Many materials fatigue and corrode and are not safe. There's still some gems out there that are a good price to pick up and ride, you just have to really check them over.

[@KeepFocus023]

Would love to build my own road bike. But you have an advantage with knowledge.

[@jezzarisky]

It’s even more true for commuter bikes. I see all kinds when I’m on Trax, most often it’s the common trusty 90’s MTB. The main thing being the two wheels and some pedals that can get people to and from the station don’t need to be special or a high end to do its job.

[@philipparris4287]

I appreciate all types of bikes.

[@RodMesa-e2t]

I picked up a great frame for free at the local bike collective. It's a great source. I donate when I can.

[@Robert-tj3qq]

@3:57 that Specialized at 25.00 was a good deal .

[@ericgelders]

My best mate's first bike was the same as THAT Specialized Rockhopper, back in 1991😅! Agree wholeheartedly with your vid, although I'd say it's also sticking to common sense and not getting carried away by the latest marketing fads (which is difficult in itself 😬). Bought a Specialized Chisel this year, for 1400 euro. Aluminium, sharp steering, rather light, no high end, but decent specs. All the bike I need as an average fitness rider 🤷🏼‍♂️!

[@johnzee691]

yes on everything you said. great on you doing what you do. one just needs to keep their eyes open to what is available. a couple years back I came across a 2008 aluminum pivot ( I think aluminum frames were made only the one year w/ shimano xtr cranks, shifters, derailleurs, magura marta disc brakes, custom wheels on top end hub.......for $35 more than what you spent on the stumpie. one never knows what you'll come across. that pivot is one sweet ride, one I could have never afforded even at half price. I used to do the outdoor retailer when it was at the salt palace in the final stages of the tabernacle build. was there when the tornado happened, sad week. did travel around checking thrift stores for bicycles and other stuff, salt lake does have great thrifting.

[@peterch4978]

It was newer so cheap and easy to get great used bikes, they are nearly given away, also new ones can be 50% off by end of season

¡Gracias!

[@oldshovel]

Thank you my friend!

[@marnig9185]

A few years ago,i had 2000€ to buy a new bike for touring,what i done is, i went used for cheep and got tools and parts for it and now i have a great hobby;)

[@christopherstokes9424]

Mate . I'm an Aussie. Love bikes . I've got 10 running bikes . You are absolutely spot on with the angle you present. A few months ago I put together a custom bike for my girlfriend. She is not that good with derailleur operation. So I took a Nexus rear and transplanted it into her favourite Dutch bike or beach cruiser...we live near the beach in North Queensland. The weather is great for riding and there are lots of bikeways. After I put that bike together I had a day off work and visited 4 local bike shops looking for a bike with similar features as the one I just built . Now I'm excluding " Kmart " ...you guys call them "Walmart" bikes . There was 1 bike ... Just one bike and nothing with in hub gearing . So imagine being a loving man with little mechanical aptitude...where are the sensible bikes ? It's true that older bikes are often the best solution. I just can't stop riding my rare Malvern Star Kinetic. It was a drop bar bike and I can bring it back easily to 100% original. It's 35 years old and it goes like a kitchen rat. The Trek 7.1 FX , the Gazelle carbon alloy hybrid, the Nitro Nostalgic , the Gudereit fantasy... Now thats German engineering it is soooo overdone . I will draw an analogy.. 20 years ago I was playing a lot of golf . I had played cricket and hockey. My game improved and my wife asked me if I needed new and better clubs . My response was .. there is more wrong with my game than my clubs . So just get a great bike and ride the wheels off it you don't need a bike with SRAM and disc brakes. Just get a bike ( or ten ) and ride it

[@christopherstokes9424]

Sorry. Should have paragraphs.

[@possumpete]

Spot on cob.

[@K-Effect]

My favorites donation, second hand bikes are one’s covered in dust and the tires are rotting, they been sitting for 20+years. Also if you haven’t ridden a bike an extremely long time, go get the bike you always wanted when you were riding bikes instead of getting a new one.

[@resynthesizer4565]

Most of my Xmas gifts are recycled. For a child, or beginner Mountain Bike, a 90s MTB is everything they will need. Stays out of the landfill, doesn't support a economically hostile nation. I still rider mid-level 90s 26ers. My Jamis Dakota with XT and Judys is surprisingly capable. I might be getting old, but they just don't make them like they used to.

[@Pierre-Henri]

Great video ! and great message ! Here in France, it's a little bit hard to find good old bikes for a reasonnable price. Sometimes, we can find gems, but it's hard. I see 2 main reasons : - people think that a 20 year old bike is gold. Whereas fork is leaking, wheels are not strait, rust everywhere... but it's written Specialized or GT on it. So it cannot be cheap. - second, here in France, we have Decathlon, which is a large sport retailler. And people are buying bike like they are buying butter. So second hand market is submerged by this kind of low cost bikes which are not that good. 2 years ago, I found an unknown german brand bike (Hawk) originally equiped with full XTR gear set, magura hydaulic brakes, Magura Ronin fork and a very light fat bone frame ! for 90 euros. And it was in rough shape (rear derailleur missing, fork leaking, brakes stuck). I managed to save some reusable parts, and put other in the attics, in case... The frame is waiting (too big for me) I consider this as a bargain here !

[@davidwhocares3293]

That bike Collective has some great stuff, the old stuff IS REALLY waaaaay more interesting

[@biedawo]

How do you navigate reliability of used carbon-fiber frames and forks? (the steel/titanium options are much more straightforward)

[@craigjacobsen8604]

Wow the SLC bike collective is huge. I’m in San Diego but I’ve only ever visited the Provo shop.

[@kitbiggz6135]

Down here in Florida thrift stores price every bike $120 for some reason. I miss midwest prices

[@silviomelocorrea]

WOW, this kind of market doesn't exist in Brazil, it's almost a dream place... Awesome!!!

[@patrici509]

I purchased a 1979 Schwinn race bike for $150. At a charity bike shop in Philadelphia. I put a pair of good tires, tubes, handlebar tape and a new chain on it. The total cost including the bike was approximately $400, all in. I'm a former sponsored mountain biker and an avid road cyclist. I ride for the love of cycling now. And the Schwinn is fast, and handles beautifully. No one needs to spend a fortune to be involved in this sport. And I still ride fast. Even at age 66.

[@CharlieMetcalf]

I love my 2001 Bianchi Strada. It is built up as a flat bar ATB. Very nice Maroon metallic.

[@nikkislesin843]

Interesting video! Thanks for posting it. Me and my husband are looking for a solid road bike that we can assemble a chair for our kid in the back so we can ride together now that he's almost a year old, any recommendations? Thanks again☮🚲

[@Bandyrobs1]

It’s a great idea. Wish we had thrift stores in the UK like this.

[@daniellarson3068]

Where else can you get a good solid bike with a triple front derailleur? What else is appealing about old bikes? The rim brakes can usually be fixed with hand tools. The external cables on old bikes are certainly superior when you replace or modify them. Bottom brackets have their bearings well protected within the bike frame and somewhat easily replaced with just a few special tools Steel frames can be repaired at many weld shops. Less chance of the bike being stolen. Yeh - Don't tell anyone.

[@dantoth3199]

Those thrift stores look better than most department stores here in South Jersey

[@timshelhamer7374]

That bike collective has a very nice modern space, different vibe than the pick and pull style coops I’ve seen. Also their asking prices seem high.

[@tmayberry7559]

I have found great bikes at the pawn shop. Believe it or not but there are a ton of trek bikes at the pawn shop ( don't know why 🤔) I tend to look for bikes in my size with low investment $$,( 40-80) low upgrades (parts bin). I take the bikes to the shop for the upgrades and when I get to many I sell one or two. Although I must say it's starting to get harder to sell one now since I like all the ones I have😊

[@michaelmosley1385]

I got a men's 1980 Schwinn 27" with a 25" frame for 25 bucks still have the factory inspection sticker and they delivered it. He only road it once. And it wasn't stolen he is a police officer. I love older bikes.

[@MacThreinfhir]

And there are deals to be had online too. I recently found and bought a 2006 LeMond Chambery with full ultegra and in pristine condition for $250. There are good bikes at good prices but may take some time.

[@MrSchattka]

I own a 90's steel-framed 3X7 mountain bike that I still use to this day. That bike features Shimano XT thumb shifters which are bullet-proof and will last forever.