I think I'm going to pick this up...

[JAllen]

My friend rear ended a car about 2 years ago with this and now wants to sell it since he can't find the time to repair or replace it. He's going to sell it for about $85 and I expressed interest. I'll be able to look at it closely this Saturday, but wanted to get an idea of what I should be looking for (if I should look at all even). I'm worried that the frame could be damaged from the wreck. I also don't know anything about the bike as far as how people liked/ like them in general. I'm sorry the pictures aren't the best, but I'm going to put what he sent to me.

[shovelhd]

I'd say that's about $84 too much. What you want to look very closely at are the undersides of the tubes and lugs on the top and down tubes where they meet the head tube. Any paint cracking, buckling, creases, or funny bends or angles, walk away. Looking at how twisted that fork is, I'd be surprised if the frame wasn't damaged.

[cinema]

Do you need a bike for that cheap that you'd also have to invest in for repairs? Are you traveling to LA any time soon? I have a fully functional 80s trek elance 55/56cm with a tricolor group you can have for the same price + a 6 pack.

you would have to pay me to take that bike for the room it would take up in my pad.

[rustychisel]

First photo looks as though the seat tube is bent. I'm betting it's not. The front wheel might be good to go, even... if he hit the car square then only the fork might have been damaged. That's the best possible scenario - buy new fork - fix up rest of bike. Ride.

... on the other hand, the whole thing might be out of whack.

Anyhoo, about 35 years ago I rear-ended a bus, square on, folded my fork alongside the downtube, walked home. Had a new one made by a local builder, cost me a friggin' fortune - I recall it was $25 painted. Had that bike for another 6~7 years until it was stolen.

[pinkshogun]

aluminum main triangle so you cant safely bend it back if it was tweaked

[unterhausen]

I really have a hard time believing that a fork can be that bent with no damage to the main triangle of the frame. I would look for rippling under the DT and TT.

[rustychisel]

I really have a hard time believing that a fork can be that bent with no damage to the main triangle of the frame. I would look for rippling under the DT and TT.

Believe it. Of course, look carefully. Looks like a steel frame to me, BTW.

[Louis]

Not worth it unless it's free.

Odds are very high that the TT and the DT are wrinkled near the HT. (that's what happened to my old steel Trek when a truck pulled out in front of me with no warning)

Unless you want to play around with tearing the bike down I wouldn't mess with it even if it's free.

[mg2ride]

That bike was not worth $85 before he wreck it. Seriously, it wasn't.

Pass

[regularguy412]

Regardless of the 'shape' it's in -- make sure it FITS you. From the looks of the (lack of) exposed seat post, the bike was a little too big for the previous owner. Take good ST and TT measurements and compare to your current bikes.

Mike in AR:beer:

[dave thompson]

On the best of days that bike in pristine as new condition may be worth $85. The bike you're looking at isn't.

[ultraman6970]

For free worth your time, but as it is well.. doubt you will even get your money back flipping the parts. Sure the frame is bent to the side too.

[JAGI410]

That crankset would likely sell for $60. I'd just part it out and wouldn't even attempt making it rideable again.

[sw3759]

kind of does look like one of those old Raleighs with bonded aluminum main tubes.hard to tell.i agree with the others, not worth it,maybe for free if you just want something to tear apart .i cant imagine that frame not sustaining some kind of damage,by looking at the fork anyways

[bikinchris]

I have to agree. He needs to part that bike out. Might get $100 for the brakes, BB and crankset and wheels assuming the bearings aren't shot and they are true.

[JAllen]

Some good advice all around. I'll be seeing him Saturday anyhow so I'll inspect it then.

Cinema, PM me pics. Por favor!

[Nags&Ducs]

Yeah, what everyone said- NOT WORTH IT!!! Tell your friend, you'll do him a proper by removing junk from his garage to free up space. I seriously wouldn't give $10 for that thing! I can almost guarantee that there is a damaged flared head tube, even if it isn't visually evident. Even if there are no other signs of frame damage such as crinkled top or down tubes.

What do you need a bike like that for? Is it to practice restoring a bike?

[rcnute]

Is this like an ironic Portland joke? :beer:

Ryan

[malcolm]

that bike was made in '85 and I think its steel. Trek made a skinny tube aluminum bike at that time but I think it was a 2000 or 2100 model. I believe the three digit models were all steel, could be wrong though.

I'd be shocked it the down tube isn't buckled somewhere.

[JAllen]

Yeah, what everyone said- NOT WORTH IT!!! Tell your friend, you'll do him a proper by removing junk from his garage to free up space. I seriously wouldn't give $10 for that thing! I can almost guarantee that there is a damaged flared head tube, even if it isn't visually evident. Even if there are no other signs of frame damage such as crinkled top or down tubes.



What do you need a bike like that for? Is it to practice restoring a bike?
Gotta catch them all. That's the point! No, actually I wanted it before he wrecked it. It would be very different from the other two in the stable.
Is this like an ironic Portland joke? :beer:

Ryan

He lives in Beaverton. The ironic jokes are a little different out there. ;)

[dgauthier]

It's worth less than nothing. You couldn't pay me to ride it.

[bobswire]

This popped into my head after reading the OP, "with friends like this who needs enemies".
Needs new fork, possible stressed frame, parts meh. Not worth $85, if it was mine I'd give it away.

[jmoore]

That bike would make a good toilet paper holder or shop stool.

[AngryScientist]

Yes, you should pick it up; and then put it down.

[ntb1001]

It does look like one of the aluminum bikes Raleigh made. I think it had the main triangle made from aluminum....but...it looks like garbage to me.

[pinkshogun]

Technimum 450. you can see the Alcoa sticker on the seat tube

[pdmtong]

if you have more money you'd like to spend on junk, let me know. I have some stuff I would let go for another $85.

[AJM100]

geometry is toast . . .

:no:

[JAllen]

Points taken. Too bad so sad

[malcolm]

Technimum 450. you can see the Alcoa sticker on the seat tube

Your right I saw the numbers on the seat tube and assumed trek. It's a technium. Saddest part is I used to own almost the exact bike and didn't even recognize it. Age sucks

[JAllen]

Your right I saw the numbers on the seat tube and assumed trek. It's a technium. Saddest part is I used to own almost the exact bike and didn't even recognize it. Age sucks

How did you like it?

[malcolm]

It was a long time ago. I bought it fresh out of the military. I recall it being quite flexy and didn't keep it long. In fairness they made three or more levels of this bike and the one I had was the lowest so you can imagine the wheels and components were not great.

[Seramount]

#basket-case

cruise CL, surely you can find a more worthy project bike for $85.