Whats Rong???

[wheelhorseman]

One thing i like to do is put banana seats on bikes. A person i know has a bunch of old stock seat kits in a shed and he lets me get them for 5.00 apiece. I will put them on a bike i got for free or cheap and either sell or keep them.

I just finished 2 bikes both are very nice and the seats are a nice addition you dont see everyday. I have had these on CL now for 2 weeks and no calls at all. Priced at 25 each these are nice bikes and cheaper than most that are on CL for sale. Why no interest. Its so discouraging it makes me want to give up on selling altogether. I know these arent "high dollar" bikes BUT i stil have them priced at half of what everyone else is asking for the same thing without the seat kits and usaully theirs will need a tire fixed or some type of repair.

 

[mitchelangelo]

It seems most kids aren't into banana seats too much. I fixed up a nice Western Flyer with a new banana seat and sissy bar for my 5 year old grandson at Christmas. In February he "traded it in" for a 7 speed mtn bike sitting in my shop. Said it was cooler! :? I tried a couple on CL and ended up putting solo seats back on to sell them.
Good luck!

 

[CRASH]

It seems most kids aren't into banana seats...

This.

Parent's aren't going to buy what their kids don't want. Now-a-days the BMX bikes have tiny non-seats that sit right on the frame. They don't even sit on them, but they have a look that kids want. The girls bike, I'd bet you'd get some action if you repurposed it as more of a cruiser. Muscle bikes were popular in the late 60's early 70's, and they've gained popularity for the 'kids' that are grown up and are restoring those bikes.

 

[wheelhorseman]

Our grandkids fight over the banana bikes. This is a very nice Quest i actually bought on CL to resell. The bike is near mint and the seller put on a BRAND NEW rear tire and tube. I paid 15.00 for it. He was asking 20.00 but wanted it gone. I put a new banana kit and some nice vintage NOS rat trap aluminum pedals new reflectors on wheels and asked 35 for it. NO INTEREST . Like i said our grandkids love banana bikes. Maybe i should put the old seats back on and try again.

 

[wheelhorseman]

Now here is another bike i have had for sale for a few weeks with no interest that doesnt have a banana seat but its a nice bike with excellent tires.Got it for free and put on a nicer seat and cleaned up. Trying for 15 bucks is all.
You dont see bikes on my CL for 15.00 unless they are junk. The only reason i got the Quest so cheap was because i saw it moments after it posted and called right away.

 

[outskirtscustoms]

That's worth $25 just for the seat!

 

[wheelhorseman]

Thats what im sayin. These are nice bikes and no reason my phone shouldnt be ringing off the hook.

 

[LarzBahrs]

I think youre better off just buying the seats and selling them on here they buying those walmart bikes and trying to repurpose them, just my 2 cents. People rather just buy something new then pay any amount of money for a used wally despite the nice seat, especially something with lots of rust.

 

[outskirtscustoms]

I have had the same thing trying to sell bikes. I guess parents would rather spend the money on junk bikes from Walmart :roll: Personally I'd part that thing out, sell the seat, use those wheels for a lowrider project, Keep the bars laying around, save the bearings, bolts, exc. and scrap the rest.

I normally try not to deal in low end bikes at all unless I get them cheap or free. Old Schwinn cruisers, good clean mountain bikes, road bikes, high end BMX bikes, Tandems, and Trikes seem to be hot around here and seem to be where the money is at. Just got to feel out the market where you are. If you're near a college road bikes are always great to stock.

Also it is so hot right now no bikes are selling cause nobody wants to ride.

 

[yoothgeye]

Seems like you all have the same problems around you that I have around me, but I have defined it. People have more credit than cash.

They want bikes for their kids, but can't get their hands on a $20 bill but the card machine at Walmart is always available to them.

Maybe you all need to start accepting credit cards. :lol:

 

[jerrykr]

bottom line, kids don't want used bikes, they want shiny new,
they know nothing, except the status they will get from what ever bike mom/dad buys (is that a new concept?)
wal marts got 'em for $50 - shiny new, all the new decals, etc.
avoid anything with 20 in or smaller wheels. CL here is full of them used for 15-25$

 

[Carbon]

It seems, at least with the kids and teens I've talked to, as soon as I mention nanner seat, the first words out of there mouth are "Girls bike" after the muscle bike trend faided at the end of the 70's, it seemed that only girls bikes come with bannana seats on them, you never see a new boys bike these days with a nanner seat on it so kids automatically associate them with girls bikes. Bet if you throw a little bmx seat on them they will sell quick.