My Friend MIGHT Buy My Bike - Mistake?

[Grog]

I agree with RM. I live by "no business within the family or among friends" principle. Being from a very big extended family, most of which are small entrepreneurs of some sort, I have seen many deals turn bitter or uncomfortable.

Moreover, a bike too big to me sounds like a liability. You could tell her that you would feel very bad if she had an accident with that bike (and cracked her skull because of the no-helmet stubbornness).

But I understand the difficulty of dealing with the matter.

I understand from your message that she has the bike with her now. Perhaps you could tell her that you'll keep loaning it to her until spring and that she should buy her own then (while you sell this one)? Still, personally I don't lend bikes to people who won't wear a helmet. I don't want my civil responsibility implied in such an accident. If I loan a bike, I loan a helmet too.

[RolliePollie]

My family and I have had multiple negative experiences with selling things to friends and family, including a vehicle we sold to a relative that then exploded on the freeway. Even when it's been mutually agreed upon that the item is being sold as-is, when the person knows you and something breaks, they inevitably come back and either want you to fix it or blame you for it. I'd be concerned...especially since it sounds like the bike doesn't fit her. And the helmet thing...oh my. I'm kinda speechless on that one.

[mumbles]

Selling things to friends is on my list of things to never do. The main thing here though is the fit. Fit is the most important part of buying a bike. So if she insists on buying the bike, explain the fit thing and go to some bike shops with her to find out what a correct size would be. Maybe if she gets on one and feels the difference she will understand. Then if she still wants to buy used, at least she will have a better idea what size to look for.

She has the bike now? I wouldnt worry bout the helmet thing once you sell the bike, but she is riding your bike with no helmet now. So what happens if she gets hurt on your bike? I ask that cause when I was a kid a friend got hurt on my bike and they collected from our homeowners insurance for the doctor bills. Sell her the bike or get it back.