Is free ride a good way to get a bike? Or is it mainly bikes that won't last very long?
Can you get a good bike through Free Ride? Sure.
Instantly finding a really good one? Finding one doesn't need a lot of work? Not going to happen.
If you put a lot of time in and find yourself a good one, it could be as good as any.
On the other hand, it's not like you can walk in and have someone say "These are the good ones and those are the medium ones and the ones over ther are the not-so-good ones."
Mick
There are a lot of bikes that go into Free Ride. Some are lightly-used, high-end bikes. Some are beat up K-mart junk from 1973 that didn't work very well new and is only worse now. A lot of the latter get scrapped; some don't.
You stand a lot better chance of getting a nice bike if you know what you're looking for and the signs of a good bike-- in other words, the kinds of things you learn by working on bikes and riding them. It wouldn't kill you to try earning a bike at Free Ride and if the bike you get ends up not doing that well getting another one when you know better.
Also, road bikes are hip these days. 80s and 90s mountain bikes make great city bikes when you put slick tires on them but aren't as popular. You're more likely to get a tough, well-made bike if you go for a mountain bike.
I can't speak to frames but there are TONS of 26" mountain bike wheels in the shop. I would imagine other MTB parts are common as well.
bring someone who knows bikes with you, it's spring cleaning time, lots of people cleaning out there garages, lots of bikes being donated to Freeride, some just need a tune up.
I'm totally stopping by next weekend to peruse mtb parts.
