There is a lot of buzz in the old bike scene these days — spurred on by high gas prices, going green do-gooders(not there is anything wrong with that), the fixed gear phenomenon, the fixed gear backlash, the old 10-speed scene, the old 10-speed backlash and so on — it seems every time you turnaround there is something new with old bikes. One such development is a site called Re-Cycle.com. Re-Cycle is not really a new site(registered in 2004), but I don’t remember seeing the current incarnation until a couple of months ago. Essentially, it is like craigslist and Ebay combined but only features bikes. What’s really cool is that you can register with the site and open up your very own bike shop. Once registered, you can list bikes and bike related merchandise for sale, look down your nose at your customers and be as overpriced as you like — it’s up to you, after all it is your shop. Cities listed so far are: Boston, Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York, Phoenix, San Diego and San Fransisco. Below, I have saved you some work and found the the best of the best from Re-Cycle.com
San Francisco
NOS Centurion Elite $450
New York
Schwinn Letour $120
Minneapolis
Sanwa 110 $250
Maruishi Road Ace $300
Los Angeles
Ross Eurosport $80
Hosteler $90
Houston
Schwinn Sprint $85
Chicago
Raleigh Super Grand Prix $150
Boston
Miyata $175
Thanks to Re-Cycle.com, anyone can be a smug bike shop owner!
Every morning when I wake up, I hope that in some small way, the OTSG will help someone to realize they should let their old crappy 10-speed live as God intended. For sometime now this has been a exercise in futility with derailers, stem shifters and spoke mounted reflectors being cast from their once proud stations atop a mid-70s lightweight every second. But all is not lost, every now and then someone will say, “Hey, I like being able to coast, and I like being able to shift into a more comfortable gear. I don’t mind the extra weight and besides, I like the little extra bling a nicely polished shifter or derailer brings to the equation. I’m going to leave this bike the way it is!” This is what this site is all about–au naturale. Here is one such example of someone who has seen the light:
This is my Centurion, its an early 80’s model. It saw some action as a fixed gear this winter, but old ten speeds are where its at, thus I put all the original parts back on to restore its former glory.
I have been out of town the past few days and have had no time to research any 10-speed buys for the Monday Market (Be sure to check out my “old 10-speeds for less than $200″ craigslist feeds.). I will instead observe this Presidents Day the way it should be - with a girl’s 10-speed. Jon in Oregon sent me this very nice Centurion girl’s ten-speed which I was very disappointed to hear he does not ride! I cannot imagine what he could possibly have his stable that would keep him from frequenting his Sunday club ride on this demonstration in manhood.
I own this but do not ride it, as I’m not a little girl. It lives behind my shed.
Borrowing a page out of BSNYC’s book - I think this bike bares a striking resemblance to my childhood favorite.
Thanks Jon
Gentlemen, don’t look now, but Valentine’s Day is only 10 days away. I know she probably hasn’t mentioned it, but I’m pretty sure your (girlfriend, wife or otherwise) would really like someone else’s old ten-speed this Valentine’s Day.
Below, I have assembled an extensive list of women’s 10-speeds from around the country. These bikes range in price from $15-$160, and one is sure to make her heart flutter. Save yourself the time and headache of shopping for a more traditional V-day gift, and pick-up one of these beauties for your beauty today.
Charlettesville/Richmond
Schwinn $85
