Worst of NYC Craigslist Bike Ads SPECIAL EDITION: Craigslist Dream Bike! (2024)

Every cyclist knows that moment when you suddenly realize you have enough spare parts to think about building another bike. Of course, everybody's Spare Part/New Bike Rationale Threshold is different. For some, it means having absolutely everything but the frame. For others, that sweet threadless headset top cap is just screaming to have a bike built around it. Well, I'm proud to announce that I've reached my own personal SPNBRT. I've got a pink 1/8" track chain, that 1" threaded-to 1/8" threadless stem adapter I never sent to the Kludgie guy, and a "One Day at a Time" top tube pad embroidered with randy superintendent Dwayne F. Schneider's mustachioed countenance and the phrase, "How ya doin' there, Ms. Romano?" It's fixie time!

But rather than just satisfy my own material cravings, I thought I would also use this opportunity to edify my readers. The $950 Mission fixed-gear last week led to a lot of discussion about how much bike you could build on your own for the same money. So I decided I'd (virtually) build a fixed-gear worthy of the BSNYC Seal Of Disapproval and source every single part (apart from what I've already got) from what's available right now in the New York City Craigslist bikes for sale section. So come shopping with me, and let's see what we wind up with and how much it costs:

single speed / 13ish lbs\not fixed/ 5'11" plus $1150
Reply to: [deleted]
Date: 2007-11-05, 11:54PM EST

54cm luciano frameset($1200)/intergrated carbon fork/carbon seatstays/carbon chainstay,carbon stem,intergrated crane creek hs,easton 70 sp, selle slk saddle,dura ace 175mm crank/spline 6500bb/3 to 1 ratio,46cm bontrager race/deep bar,ultegra brakes,mavic 1500gram wheelset/dura ace hubs/19c/alloy skewers,aero levers,chrome chain/ da cables,and speedplay peddles/new cleats. >>excellent condtion<<>

Okay, obviously the project is to build a custom bike, but when you come across something like this it's difficult to maintain your resolve. Only $1,150 and one of the sweetest dog erection bar taping jobs I've ever seen. No, must resist and press on!

will trade lmtd edirion green IRO frame with chris king H/S for ipod - $350
Reply to: [deleted]
Date: 2007-11-04, 12:40AM EDT

I will trade my frame fork and headset on my barely used hunter green limited edirion IRO track frame for a new or lightly used 80gb ipod......whose in?

heres pictures of it built up....ONLY FRAME FORK AND HEADSET

needs to be done by monday at the latest

Wow, frame, fork, and King headset! Tempting, veeery tempting. Of course, the size isn't listed, but I really don't care if the bike fits. This baby's only gotta get me to the bar and back. I'd probably bite on this one if I actually had an iPod to trade him. Unfortunately I've only got a slightly used Zune and a $25 gift card for the Zune Marketplace, but I'm guessing he's not going to take those.

New track/fixed gear Pake frameset - $295
Reply to: [deleted]
Date: 2007-11-01, 10:30PM EDT

New track/fixed gear (fixie) built Pake frameset with the following -

- Track/fixed gear Pake frame, 53cm(c-c), 31" standover height, horizontal dropouts, glossy black, removable Pake stickers

- Tange chrome 1 inch threaded fork

- Tange headset

- Shimano bottom bracket

It's all brand new, never even built beyond this.

Now we're talkin'. Like butter? Well, it's not butter, it's Pake. Still, considering this comes with the bottom bracket, fork, and headset, I think I've found my chassis.

Subtotal: $295.00

Track wheels wanted (Downtown)
Reply to: [deleted]
Date: 2007-11-05, 6:44PM EST

Looking for a mid to high end track wheelset. Not looking for formulas,iro ect. Looking for surley,dura ace,suzie,miche ect. Hit me up w what you got.

Next up is the wheels, and judging from the above post I'm clearly entering a competitive marketplace. Fortunately, I don't need high-end hubs from companies like "Surley" and "Suzie." (They must be high end--I've never even heard of them!) I'm strictly a bottom-feeder. This is more like it:

NEW Vuelta Team Track Fixed Gear Wheel Wheel Sets SS - $130
Reply to: [deleted]
Date: 2007-11-03, 10:09PM EDT

Vuelta TEAM XRP TRACK / FIXED GEAR BIKE WHEELSET ~~ NEW IN THE BOX
SUPER DURABLE
THESE WHEELS ARE HAND-BUILT THEN STRESSED & TRUED 3 TIMES; JUST LIKE ALL PRO-LEVEL WHEELS. THE QUALITY OF THESE VUELTA XRP WHEELS EXCEEDS ANY MACHINE-BUILT TRACK WHEELSET SOLD. FOR TOP PERFORMANE AND DURABILITY; NOTHING BEATS HAND-BUILT WHEELS!

THESE WHEELS ARE SOLD WORLDWIDE IN BICYCLE SHOPS FOR $250 TO $350 A PAIR. {PLUS TAX} asking $130 FIRM.......[deleted]

I have no doubt whatsoever that these wheels are hand-built and stress relieved. In fact, I bet the stress relieving is done by uber-curmudgeon and serial retrogrouch Jobst Brandt himself. Plus, I'm a one-stop shopper, and these seem to come with a cog. Granted, the cog looks like it may have been cut from a Pepsi can with a pair of tin snips, but again, I don't plan to do much actual riding. Sold.

Subtotal: $425.00

Sugino "Messenger" Crankset - $80
Reply to: [deleted]
Date: 2007-11-03, 4:38PM EDT

Sugino track cranks plus crank bolts.

165mm length.
44t chainring.
130BCD.
uses 103-107 BB spindle.

very lightly used, excellent condition.
(new price: $95 + shipping).

Crank, chainring, and crankbolts. Done, done, and done.

Subtotal: $505.00

Bontrager 27.2 diamater 15" inch black seatpost - $10
Reply to: [deleted]
Date: 2007-11-05, 6:56PM EST

Bontrager 27.2 diamater 15" inch black seatpost hardly any use. call or email [deleted].

Okay, time to start watching the budget. We've already broken the $500 mark and are venturing into new Pista territory. Of course we're nowhere close to what a used one would go for on Craigslist, but still, we need to be careful. This post shouldn't break the bank. I'm just hoping its clamp allows me to really angle that saddle nose down. I want to feel like I'm on a see-saw with Queen Latifah.

Subtotal: $515.00

saddle seat
Reply to: [deleted]
Date: 2007-11-01, 3:59PM EDT

I have a saddle seat (7"Wx9.5"L), ideal seat to be fitted for your road bike but i suppose you can install it on your mountain bike. seatpost *not* included, just selling the seat. retails $45 new, selling for just $20. cash pick up only in the city. drop me a line if you can use it.

This, quite frankly, is a godsend. I couldn't decide whether I wanted a saddle or a seat and amazingly this is both. I didn't even realize they made those! Of course, what I really wanted was a Brooks, but we're going for Hawaiian Punch on a Kool-Aid budget. Plus, the seller graciously provides the measurements and they happen to match my crotchal dimensions exactly. (Anything else you choose to infer from that is your own business.) I'll take it--let's throw it in the cart.

Subtotal: $535.00

Deda aluminum track drops--oversize clamp - $50
Reply to: [deleted]
Date: 2007-11-04, 9:08PM EST

These are the stock bars on the Pista Concept. Very light. These are in good condition and I've got a nice ITM 120mm forged stem available to go with them, for a few bucks extra.

Wow, track bars and a stem! These are a little expensive, but I think I'll splurge. It's important to have genuine track bars on your fixed-gear, especially when you plan to flop-and-chop them like I intend to do. No need to worry about tape, either. I've always wanted to die like Elliott Smith, who stabbed himself in the heart. I figure one day I'll ride my slippery, tapeless, and jagged-ended flop-and-chops onto a cobbled street on a rainy day. When my hands slip forward hopefully I'll slice my wrists open on the ends of the bars and bleed to death on my fixed-gear. Sweet, sweet poetry.

Plus, I get to use my Kludgie!

Subtotal (assuming he wants an extra double-sawbuck for the stem): $605.00

MKS sylvan track pedals w/MKS clips (njs) - $50
Reply to: [deleted]
Date: 2007-11-04, 9:05PM EST

Clips are size M. These pedals have been used only for a short test ride. Included are leather Christophe straps. Perfect condition.

A fixed-gear without MKS pedals is like a musician without a cold sore. Sold.

Subtotal: $655.00

Bicycle Acessories - $2
Reply to: [deleted]
Date: 2007-11-02, 9:04AM EDT

TIRES:
2 x Specialized All Condition Bicycle Tire (700x28c) - $4 each
1 x Bontrager Sport Bicycle Tire (700x23c) - $4
1 x Michelin Bicycle Tire (700x23c) - $4
1 x Hutchinson Top Speed Bicycle Tire (700x23)(foldable) - $4

INNER TUBES:
1 x Pyramid Bicycle Tube (700x23/28c) - $2
1 x Bontrager Bicycle Tube (700x18/25c) - $2
4 x Continental Bicycle Tube (700x18/25c) (new in box) - $4 each

SHOES:
1 x Brand New Adidas Adistar Road TT Carbon with Carbon look Shoes. Size: 9 1/2 (US). Compatible with any Look fitting cleat or SPD-R - $30

HANDLEBAR:
1 x Specialized Aluminum Handlebar. Made in Japan. Size - Ø25.4mm. Wight - 22". Weight - 200g w/o grips; 250g with grips. Grips - O’Neal Azonic - $5

1 x 3T Aluminum Handlebar. Designed in Italy. Size: Ø25.8mm. 44cm (center to center). 145mm drop - $5

STEM:
1 x 3T Aluminum Stem. Designed in Italy. Size: 110mm. Degree: 15. Accept 25.4-26mm Handlebars. 2 bolts - $2

SEATPOST BAG:
1 x Cannondale with reflecting line - $2

BRAKE PADS:
2 x SHIMANO (R55C) (with the box) - $4 pair
2 x SHIMANO (R55C) (no box) - $2 pair

BOTTLE CAGE:
1 x Bottle Cage Black - $1

Thank you for looking.

Now to finish this baby off. For tires, I'm going for one Michelin and one Hutchinson. You can call this bike the French Tickler, because it'll be rolling on French rubbers. For tubes I'll grab three of those Contis (one spare, of course). While I'm at it, I'll also grab that saddlebag. As for brake pads, no thanks, won't be needing those. It looks like I'm done!

GRAND TOTAL: $677.00!

So what do you think? A single trip to Craiglist and I've joined the fixed-gear revolution for under $700. Not too shabby. See you at the bars! I can't wait to start upgrading...

Worst of NYC Craigslist Bike Ads SPECIAL EDITION: Craigslist Dream Bike! (2024)

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