What to do with semi-junker bike?

[squirrelitude]

I salvaged a semi-junker bicycle from the curb this morning before the garbage crews got it. No seat, rusted chain -- but wheels and brakes seem to be in decent shape. Kind of small, but not a child's bike: http://imgur.com/a/wWwjQ

Since I see bikes in this condition on the trash heaps from time to time, I would like to ask: Who might want these? Are they only good for parts, or do people refurbish them? Should I poke some local bike collective? Would some SCUL member be interested in the parts?

(Of course, if you want *this* one, let me know -- but I really want to get a sense of the general case anyway.)

Comments

[smammy]

Just leave it on the curb with a sign and someone will recycle it.

[bikergeek.livejournal.com]

Yup. If no one takes it after a couple of days on the curb with a "FREE" sign, replace the sign with one that says "$50". Then someone's sure to take it.

[ron_newman]

The LIFT Bicycle Project might be able to usefully rehab it or strip it for parts. Call Quad Bikes at 617-496-5955 and ask.

Roll It Forward is another similar project that can accept bikes and parts at (among other places) Ace Wheel Works and EMS in Harvard Square.

[squirrelitude]

Thanks for the tips! Going by their websites they won't want the frame (it is pretty corroded at the top of the seatpost) but I'll check if they want wheels.

[miss-chance.livejournal.com]

Sorry to go all negative on you here, but I know this is exactly what Roll It Forward does NOT want. They have neither the money nor resources to turn junkers into safe, ridable bikes, and their guidelines (http://rollitforward.blogspot.com/p/bike-guidelines-will-your-bike-be.html) specifically request that you not give them things like this.

I <3 bikes more than is reasonable, but not every bike-shaped object is actually usable, safe, or desirable. This one looks like scrap-metal recycling is it's best place. The only component in there that looks like it might be worth salvaging are the handle-bar-extenders.

[ron_newman]

not the wheels, tires, pedals, cranks, brake levers, or derailleurs? I wonder if Bikes Not Bombs or some other group could usefully strip these and other parts for reuse.

[miss-chance.livejournal.com]

Well the derailleurs, cranks, and pedals are rusted and destroyed, and the front tire is worn out. The back one might be okay, but that bike was obviously left outside for a long time and I would not be surprised if the back tire was dry-rotted (can't tell from those photos). I'd stress-test the wheels before counting on them if they came off a bike that's otherwise this bad. The frame looks trashed.

This could serve as a good reminder to folks: if you have a bike that you're not riding, don't leave it locked up outside until it's useless to anyone else, too. I see this time and time again, bikes left locked for months at a time, and it's so frustrating to watch something that could be stripped of parts and reused left where people can watch it turn to garbage.

[ron_newman]

Thanks for linking to Roll It Forward's donation guidelines, which I had neglected to find or read.

Is your description of this bike's sad condition based just on the posted photo, or are you actually looking at the thing? (for all I know, you are squirrelitude's roommate or partner)

[miss-chance.livejournal.com]

just from the photo. that's why I can't say anything for sure about the back tires or the wheels.

[squirrelitude]

Right -- I was able to pedal it around the yard, but that doesn't mean it's worth more than scrap metal and an excuse for a tetanus shot. :-) The donation guidelines on both sites basically say "gently used", which this is not. Good point about dry-rot.

Mostly I was curious about whether there are unexpected recycling opportunities for things like this, and it sounds like there might be (see later comment about an MIT lab that.)

[pekmez.livejournal.com]

Does Bikes not Bombs take them too, or have I been misled?

[ron_newman]

Yes, but they're a bit of a schlep from Davis Square.

oooh! free bike!

[kpht.livejournal.com]

Usually parts, sometimes refurbish if the frame is in good enough condition. phatmike actually does this in addition to 90's night to cover our bills - finds old yard sale or cheap bikes, tunes them up, and adds what they need to be safe and reliable and sells them to friends or on Craigslist. We're way up in Gloucester, but wouldn't mind driving in for it some point this week.

[greyling.livejournal.com]

the D-lab at MIT would be happy to take it. They'll take bikes apart to reuse pieces, including rusty bits of frame; their research involves figuring out how to build low-cost machinery for developing countries, where it is often the case that bicycle parts are both cheap and ubiquitous.