What to do with the "old" bike? Keep it? Sell it? Give it away?

[2IT]

Happy with my new bike and now rarely use my old bike. There is nothing really wrong with the old bike except that I could probably spend $100 a year to maintain it. It is taking up space in storage and getting older by the day. On the other hand, if anything happened to the new bike, I would want the old bike to ride. If I sold the old bike it might fetch $300 dollars because it's a seven year old Fuji Roubaix with some cosmetic wear.

I don't ride in bad weather or on a trainer/rollers so that isn't a need. Both bikes are road bikes so I'm not giving up any unique function either.

What has been your experience with your old bike and what have you done? Thank you in advance for your suggestions.

 

[annedonnelly]

I gave mine to a local youth group - told them they could either use it as a project to work on or give it to one of the young people if they could make use of it.

We have a number of bike recycling charities locally now so I'd pass any spares on to them. Anything I have and no longer want I like to pass on to someone who'll appreciate it.

 

[mustang1]

I gave mine away along with a free Jersey and licensing requirement that the rider must wear the supplied jersey advertisimg "Mustang is Fantastic".

(Jk about the Jersey of course).

 

[classic33]

I've given up giving to charity shops. Due mainly to the last one not even having a donation made, by the shop manager, who took it and sold it on. Pocketing the cash. I later saw it being ridden, got talking and got told how much they'd paid. Most of these were bikes that had been found, handed into the police and claimed after not being claimed.

Other than that, I've done them up so that they're roadworthy and road legal, and then passed them onto someone who'd appreciate the bike.

 

[ColinJ]

In the past I have given old bikes away, or sold them for a pittance to people I knew who were hard up.

My younger sister is hoping to retire in a couple of years time to a house on the coast. Originally she was thinking of the Yorkshire coast, which would have been within one day's cycling distance of here, but now she is thinking of the Scottish coast, which won't be. I think I might leave an old bike with her so I can visit her by train without the hassle of taking a bike with me but still have something to ride when I get there.

 

[Keith Oates]

All of the bikes that I've had in China and in Vietnam over the years, I've given away to people who I've worked with or cycled with and I hope they have used them, but to be honest I don't know what they have done with them.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[shouldbeinbed]

Charity, I've just spotted a recycling project in Oldham that may benefit from an old Dahon folder and my Trek MTB as I need a bit of space for a new to me acquisition coming my way.

 

[Katherine]

My old bike would soon need new wheels if it was ridden but it's nice to ride it again when my most recent bike is waiting for something to be done on it.

 

[Jimidh]

I gave mine to a local youth group - told them they could either use it as a project to work on or give it to one of the young people if they could make use of it.

We have a number of bike recycling charities locally now so I'd pass any spares on to them. Anything I have and no longer want I like to pass on to someone who'll appreciate it.

This

 

[sykes179]

Don't ride in bad weather! What about rule #5?

 

[2IT]

Don't ride in bad weather! What about rule #5?

No don't ride in bad weather. Used to ride on icy roads, in the rain and at twilight. Not anymore, at 61, if I go down it could put an end to the enjoyment. It's also drivers in bad weather rather than bike handling these days.