Mike Brady's Law

Let the buyer beware.
Last Friday had a gent visit us after a series of phone calls, as he was looking for an inexpensive bike as transportation.  Hey!  That's what we're all about.  However we didn't have anything in the price range he was looking for.  Hey, it happens!  Often times the cheaper "Daily banger Specials" are the first to go, and at the time of his visit the cheapest we had was $70.00.  So after much negotiation, and our inability to cut the price of our bikes in half, he called on another add from Craigslist.  He traveled to pinellas Park and picked up the bike that was $10.00 cheaper then the one he looked at here.  OK.  That's cool.  If it had worked out to his advantage.  Sadly, it did not.  He came back this morning.  Here's where I have to step in and let his mistake be a lesson to all.  If you're not quite sure about the mechanics of a bicycle, I will give you some pointers, a check list that we use when buying bikes.  First check crank;  grab crank arms and give them a wiggle.  Any play?  if their is, it's potentially bearing issues (NOT GOOD!)  check front and back wheels, wiggle left and right.  Any play?  if so, same problem (NOT GOOD!) Also, spin wheels and check the true, any left to right movement, MAY be able to true, but if it has a flat spot (in the WHEEL, not the tire, plan on replacing it (EXPENSIVE!) Now lets check the drive system, easiest way, take it for a drive.  Shift gears up and down (One click at a time, Mr Pricellie!) any hesitation, do you have to double click to get it to move?  Could be a minor adjustment, could also be a bent cage on your  derailleur!  If the later...NOT GOOD!  Brakes;  Any squealing?  check the rubber on the shoe, dried and crack?  Minor re-pair, think about $6.00 a set. Then check frame.  Look at the points of weld, any cracks?  If so, in most case consider it totalled, the bike is now scrap for parts.  Some bikes can be re-welded, but that's an expense best left for higher-end vintage bikes.
Well unfortunately our young friend did not heed this advice, and it has cost him.  After spending a day of traipsing about to save $10 bucks, he rode the bike for 15 minutes, only to have the tire blow out.  Visiting another bike shop it cost him $55.00 to replace the rear tube and tire.  Once again on his way he got about 2 miles when his rear hub gave way.  Haven't seen one go THAT bad in quite some time.  Needless to say, these were not the only problems this bike had.  Bent rear, derailleur, chain to small, rusted cables, rear brake arm bent...and we are still rebuilding it.  OY!   My wife always says, I like to say "I told you so" but in cases like this, I feel compelled to save as many folks from a similar (and all to common) fate.
Allright!  Enough salt in the wound!  This weekend was not as busy as one would hope.  Did not do anywhere NEAR as much buying as we usually do, although we did get a MARVELOUS truck load of misc parts, and a couple of frames.  Chief amongst them a NICE Old School Schwinn "Traveller" that will be going in my bin ASAP!  Also got a nice Mongoose rebel BMX in a trade-up, and that one didn't hardly last an hour before she was gone!
Now Sunday's are the "Fundays" around here!  Why?  Because Angela's here and not me.  I swear at times I can hear them prancing about serving up their rendition of  "The Wicked Witch Is Dead!".  So needless to say, a little more goofiness prevails!  This Sunday was NO exception!  As Angie and our (still at home) eldest were running the show.  Chip came into retrieve "Underdog" when Elijah commented that he had not gotten a chance to try it out.  Chip being the ever-gracious individual said "SURE! try it out" (I'm paraphrasing) Which he did.  Well....APPARENTLY The police officer cruising through the parking lot didn't see him....
Yep.  Thankfully it was not a MAJOR collision, more like a grazing.  The first officer apparently was incensed, however the SECOND officer on the scene, calmed him down and thought that the Prone was "cool"!  CRISIS AVERTED!!! 
ANywho...
I suppose I should motivate myself to function. 
Y'all have a great day and come on down and pay us a visit!