Pawn Shop Circuit: Trek 970
I swung into Kenny's pawn shop while Christmas shopping today, and hanging on the rack outside was a purple bike. Hmmmmm I looked it over..... A Trek mountain bike.
Cro-moly lugged frame. Solid Shimano components. No suspension to wear out, and a rack on the back. $49. A perfect base bike for a back-up commuter bike.
"Hey Kenny," I asked as I entered the shop, "How much do you want for the purple bike out there"
"Well, all the bikes are 20% off today," Kenny said. "Let me figure it up."
"Mind if I take it down from the rack and ride it a bit?" I asked.
"Go ahead," said Kenny.
Forty dollars, another bike. My wife is going to kill me.
Cro-moly lugged frame. Solid Shimano components. No suspension to wear out, and a rack on the back. $49. A perfect base bike for a back-up commuter bike. "Hey Kenny," I asked as I entered the shop, "How much do you want for the purple bike out there"
"Well, all the bikes are 20% off today," Kenny said. "Let me figure it up."
"Mind if I take it down from the rack and ride it a bit?" I asked.
"Go ahead," said Kenny.
Forty dollars, another bike. My wife is going to kill me.
Labels: Bicycle Building, Bicycles in my Stable
posted by Xavier at 3:19 PM
16 Comments:
Great deal!
I have a rack just like that. The rack alone cost $40 new. And it's a good one, too.
Sharp eye Turk! It's a Blackburn Mountain rack. Seems they retail for around $40.
Wow! Seems this bike retailed at $899 back in 1993!
You've got much nicer pawn shops than I do, mine only seem to carry the Wally-World bikes and overpriced throw-away guns.
Yes, that's a very nice bike. I have the 930 of the same vintage. Fantastic score!
As manager of a bike shop I say good buy. 8 and 9 speed shimano stuff will always be king.
Matt,
Now the odd thing was, Kenny tried to sell me a Wally World bike instead because it was "in better shape."
I guess i should have mentioned that in the piece, but I didn't realize the price spread until after I wrote it.
Xav,
My wife and I have matching his & hers Trek Navigator 100's -- they're fabulous bikes. Well done, sir. Well done.
- Brad
1. The pawn shop next door to where I work would never make a mistake like that.
2. They will research and determine fair market value, offer 10% of that to the seller and mark to 100% of new value.
3. They consult me of the value of things in my area of expertise.
4. Have been in business for many years.
5. Sort of like having a large shark for a neighbor.
6. Gunman on premises at all times when open for business.
7. Their employees are pleasant and professional -but feel like washing hands after every dealing with them.
V/R JWest
I'd have bought that, too.
I'm sure that will make your wife feel [i]much[/i] better.
:)
Matt, I think Xavier finds these gems at pawn shops the way my dad finds amazing things at auction. Dad finds the craziest deals because he loves auctions and spends at least a couple hours a week sifting through them. Actually, he's at the flea market with my kids right now. I like the deals, but I'm not willing to sit through all the rest to find them.
Part of me says that if I just made a weekly round of the local pawn shops, there would come a day when I'd find a bike like that for $40 too, and I'd probably be swimming in cheap guns.
But I don't. ;)
Well, if it retailed for $899 then I'd be sure and mention that to your wife when she spots you putting in the garage (and she's going to).
Mike S.
Knowing that there was a chance that the wife may kill you...you went ahead and bought it anyway.
Tiger is in a lot of trouble for much the same reason.
Looks like we never learn.
You got a steal! I bought my 930 about 17 years ago and paid a little over $400 for it on clearance sale because it was the "previous year's color" - which was kind of funny considering it is black!. I've seen old Trek hardtails like this in the $150-$200 range but never under $50. Wow. That's all I can say. Wow! Best trail bike I've ever owned - won't ever part with mine.
Xavier,
You obviously have an addiction.. notice I didn't say 'problem' ;) My wife says that I've never met a gun, knife or flashlight that I don't like....
HankH
Nice! I have a Trek Antelope, made in the Late 1980s. It was over $600 then! Still a nice bike. I was riding around the place with the grandkids a few weeks back on it.
I like it. Some slicks and fenders and she'll be ready for anything you can toss at her.
-Jay
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