Not that I need much in the way of bikes and accessories these days, but I was curious to see what's out there, so I looked at the online want ads on FB marketplace and Craigslist.
The bottom appears to be falling out of a lot of used bike pricing right now.
Lugged steel bikes from the 1970s going for less than $50. Steel mountain bikes from the 1980s going for less than $100. Parts and accessories being almost given away because no one's buying right now.
Sure, there are a few vintage bikes that someone has lovingly overhauled and rebuilt going for prices that used to be standard before 2020. The difference is that almost no one is actually selling those bikes easily now.
What happened?
Well, I think a few things:
-- The economy has tanked since Covid and hasn't really recovered for most ordinary folks.
-- Jobs are harder to find, and wages have stagnated more profoundly than ever.
-- Trump's tariffs have caused a lot of pain in many industries.
-- People simply aren't shopping as much right now.
It has gotten bad enough that I have started giving some things away because I can't find buyers for them and don't want them taking up soace in my little house anymore. So I'm giving them away as gifts to friends and turning them loose in "free" boxes.
I stopped worrying about "losing" money long ago, ever since I realized I could no longer work and would have to make do on a fixed income. I got my use out of the things I've owned; now that I don't need them anymore I can pass them along to someone else and not lose sleep.
So if you're looking for a bargain on a functional used bike, there are many to choose from on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace and elsewhere.
As for me, I'll be satisfied with what I have and keep riding it.
Cheers and happy riding.
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