Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Parting is such sweet sorrow.

I did something I've never done before....I sold one of my bikes! Oh the humanity!!

In wanting to expand my bike collection into a more purpose-built style of bikes - read snowbike - I sold my trusty Iron Horse Warrior. This was the first bike I ever bought new. Why would I sell it? Well, last year I used it once and that was camping with the family. I think I rode it to a Lions meeting last fall too. I don't ever get out to single track, ride gravel or role long excursions in the mountains. The truth of the matter is, I didn't use this bike anymore. So, why not let someone else enjoy it?


I put it up on Kijiji (the greatest classified site ever!) and I had emails and calls like crazy. Had to email 4 people back to tell them it was gone!


I sold it to one of Calgary's finest, a firefighter! Chris is a really great guy who will be using the bike to commute 17kms to work and back! Sweet!


He came out to our shop in Strathmore and we went for a test ride in the shop. I was all going good until about 80ft. snap. What the heck???? The derailleur hanger snapped off! Oh crap. Talk about feeling bad. I had no idea that it was even fatigued at all. I've never hucked, or trashed. But snap! I can only think it was because of maybe having pressure on it while riding in the back of my truck, or the kids stacking logs against it while camping?? I have no clue. But, in some ways, I guess that the beauty of the replaceable derailleur hanger. I could see this thing getting hammered if I were jumping, or grinding handrails. I wish I could do that stuff, but I can't. Weird.


Anyway, I knocked 100 off the price and we loaded it into his truck. I hope he can find a new part easily in Calgary. I told him that if for any reason he can't, just let me know and I will fully refund his money. Man I feel bad. Anyone have any experiences with these derailleur hangers snapping??


I'm gonna miss that bike!

6 comments:

Unknown said...

Tikit...*cough*...*cough*...=-)

Jerome said...

Well, you never know. These Tikits you talk about, they are really that great? I've read your reviews and they do look sweet. Sometime I wouldn't mind checking out yours to see in real life what they are all about. I was thinking that with all the travel I am now doing, it might just be a great way to get from the hotels to the airports, as I generally stay really close to the airport and all my business is generally in the airport. hhhmmmmm.......interesting.

Vik said...

Tikits are great bikes and you are certainly welcome to test ride mine. Living where you is not the ideal place for a Tikit, but as a bike to take with you on trips it could certainly be a lot of fun.

Of course a dual 406 wheeled european lowracer would be a lot of fun in your neck of the woods....lol

Smudgemo said...

I've got the Subaru up for sale and the first guy that came to look at it tried to start it but the battery was too low. I didn't try to start it before he came because some guys like to know how it starts and runs when cold. Guess that kind of thing happens when you don't drive very often. Very embarrassing. Perhaps I should have offered a new battery, but I think mine is still good. Not like it gets cold around here...

Smudgemo said...

Oh, and I feel your pain. I sold two bikes last year. I only sold one bike prior to that, but when you never use them, what's the point in keeping them? I wish I had them, but it's better to not.

Jerome said...

Hey Vik, I think I'm going to take you up on your offer of a test ride. We should hook up some day (life is soooo freaking busy!!!), I'll bring the fixie and you bring the tikit and each of us will expand our cycling horizons.

Hey Smudge, sucks about your car. You do know how it feels! ha, ha. oh well. I think the same thing. If I'm not going to be using bikes, let someone else. See post after this on. IT'S OUT OF CONTROL!!!