Garage sale FTW - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

Tango Charlie · 07-02-2009, 02:47 PM

My wife called me at work the other day. Wanted to know if a box of HO model RR track was worth 20 bucks (I told her no). She was at a neighbor's garage sale, so in passing I asked if they had any bicycles for sale.

I've been looking for a good bike that I can keep at my place of employment, so I can get out and about during lunch break. For the past several weeks I've been checking out garage sales that I happen to pass, and even looked on craigs list. No luck yet.

"Actually, they do have a bike here." she replied. It was a Fuji. With some careful questioning, she described a late 80's-early 90's chromoly lugged frame road bike. "About the same size as the one you have in the garage now." She counted six sprockets and two chainrings. This is exactly what I've been wanting. I told her to offer $30, ten less than what they were asking. We don't have a lot of spare cash now days, but I don't want to miss a good deal. She buys the bike and rolls it home for me.
It's better than I had hoped. It's in really good shape. I removed the wheel reflectors, velcro water bottle holder, and other sundry do-dads. After washing off the spider webs and dust, it's obvious the bike has very, very few miles on it. It's black with the big red FUJI decal on the seat tube. I think it's a very handsome bike.
A couple new tires and tubes, and I'll be gas-free on the lunch hour!

Daox · 07-02-2009, 03:13 PM

Nice find. Lets see pics!

Frank Lee · 07-02-2009, 03:54 PM

Garage sales rule.

And my Fuji Sports 12 is my favorite bike. Bought it new in '82. 27" frame, maroon and gold. Wish I knew how many miles I put on it...

wagonman76 · 07-02-2009, 05:07 PM

That's cool, I love garage sales too.

The wife just found an electric chainsaw, like new, with manual, for $7. Works great. Not a bike, but a different fuel savings when cutting up the logs in the yard after we bring them home. I had been looking to buy one for this season anyway.

i_am_socket · 07-02-2009, 05:18 PM

Awesome find :-)

Around here everyone wants to sell their 10-20 year old road bikes for $200+.

Frank Lee · 07-02-2009, 08:17 PM

Bicycles are definitely a regional thing.

Road bikes are essentially free in northern MN. Nobody wants them, nobody rides them.

Out in California, though, seems you can't find anything rideable for under $400.

zjrog · 07-02-2009, 08:41 PM

Now if I could just find a decent tandem like that!!

Nice find!

Bicycle Bob · 07-03-2009, 02:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

Bicycles are definitely a regional thing.

Road bikes are essentially free in northern MN. Nobody wants them, nobody rides them.

Out in California, though, seems you find anything rideable for under $400.

Ahh, the man drops a clue to his locale.

I'll be getting about 16 hrs, 52 min from sunrise to sunset today. Who can top that?

Piwoslaw · 07-03-2009, 03:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bicycle Bob

Ahh, the man drops a clue to his locale.

Couldn't you tell from his hat in his avatar?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bicycle Bob

I'll be getting about 16 hrs, 52 min from sunrise to sunset today. Who can top that?

I may not top it, but I'll almost match with 16h40m. Sunrise just after 4am.
EDIT: They just said in the weather forecast: 16h49m, so that's pretty close.

Back to the topic: A few years ago when I was visiting Mom I found an old Schwinn 10-speed for $25 at a yard sale. I put another $50 into new cables, lubes, chain, etc., and it's a great ride for going to the market. It is a little small for me, or maybe I'm just too big?

Bicycle Bob · 07-03-2009, 03:28 AM

Around here, the garage sale bikes all have steel rims.

Except for a few kids doing stunt riding, the locals ride like sacks of potatoes,

but it is only a long sprint from Main street to the edge of town.