My "new" bike

[Wahine]

It looks perfect. Good work and way to go for being an "instigator" in your community.

[Tri Girl]

Ok- so I went and picked up the bike that I won off ebay for $24.99 (the one that I was going to steal the fenders and rear rack and put them on the bike I refurbished). Turns out the bike I picked up today is much better than my refurbished bike. It's better than the seller described it, as I don't think she knew how nice it really was. It rides amazing, has better components, and is more comfortable than my fix up (plus it has the moustache bars that I liked but didn't get for my fix up).
Drats!!! If I'd only waited a couple weeks, I wouldn't have had to spend the money to fix up the one I did.
Now I'm torn... do I keep the bike I fixed up or keep the one I just bought and sell the other one? If I sell my fix up, it's a losing money deal, but I can just look at it this way: I fixed up an old junker and somebody will ride it with joy- and the money I put into it is an investment in the bike I just picked up.

Hmmmmm.... decisions

And I don't know for sure, but I think DH might secretly want to kill me. I've got 5 bikes in the house that are just mine (mtn, road, tri, and two old steel bikes)- not including his three bikes. We've got 8 bikes in our house and only 2 people- how silly is that?. I better get rid of one, or he might just sell me instead

[alpinerabbit]

I think the fixup turned out beautifully, but this one is one nice retro bike. sell the fixup and make someone happy :-)

[xeney]

Ohhh, that is darling. I think you can be proud of the job you did on your fixed up bike and sell or give it to someone in need with a clear conscience.

And we have so many bikes in this house that I had to go have a baby just to make the division work out better. 17 bikes, 2 people? Crazy! 18 bikes*, 3 people? Well, that's only six bikes per person!

*The LBS gave her a tricycle. It was a gift! Not my fault! I can't be blamed for #18!

[Tuckervill]

+1 for giving it away. Not everyone is in the position to do such charity. But you could keep the parts you really can't bear to part with, replace them on the bike with something else, and be an answer to someone's prayer.

You could just pretend you spent all that money on the new one and only $25 to give the other one away. Find someone who really needs it--maybe the emergency shelter knows someone who needs transportation for work. The feeling will be worth much more than $25.

Karen

[Tri Girl]

Great ideas on giving it away to someone who needs it for transportation (or at a shelter). I really like that one! I'll look into it this week. Thanks!!!

(yeah, I really like the green bike so much better- I think I'm going to keep it!)

Xeney- 17 bikes???? whew- I feel much better about our 8. And the trike for the little one- awesome!!!!

[sandra]

I am so impressed and love your first fix up bike. You did a fantastic job with it. It would be hard not to keep it. Then I saw your second one, and I love that too. What kind is it? Beautiful color! Love the seat and hand grips. It looks like it is in excellent condition. You got really lucky there!

It's a pretty easiy decision. You will ride the one that rides the best.

[sandra]

Oh, I forgot to say, I love the basket. AND the second bike has FENDERS!!! l love the fenders.