I Bought a Bike
After shopping a few local bike shops and getting scared off by the crazy Norwegian prices, I got word of a police auction where they sell off stolen bikes that have been recovered but not claimed by their owners.
The location was walkable from my home (like 3km) but quite far from work, so I decided to bus it. I looked up the routes and found that the X30 would take me very close by. I took the X30 but after reaching town realized we were way too far. "Oh, you needed the other X30. This one goes straight to the center." The other X30? Two buses with the same number but different routes? What, did they run out of numbers and letters? So what was going to be a 5 minute walk after work became a 30 minute walk. I eventually made it just as the auction was starting.
I bugged a couple of strangers to learn basic numbers in Norwegian (1-10, 100, 1000).
Eventually, I bought a 2008 FELT QX85, a great bike, for 2300NOK ($430CAN). For Norway, this is a steal (haha). It's in like new condition too!
However, both tires were completely deflated, and nobody had a Presta pump so I couldn't fill them. I ended up walking home but getting completely lost along the way.
However, I have a new bike now and it rocks!
The funniest part was when they brought up one of several bikes in really bad shape. This one had no front wheel and had at least one cable hanging loose. Nobody started the bidding, so the auctioneer said what I image was "Anyone? Anyone?". Finally one guy just said "4 kroner" and everybody laughed, and he was handed the bike. 4 kroner is about 80 cents Canadian.
The location was walkable from my home (like 3km) but quite far from work, so I decided to bus it. I looked up the routes and found that the X30 would take me very close by. I took the X30 but after reaching town realized we were way too far. "Oh, you needed the other X30. This one goes straight to the center." The other X30? Two buses with the same number but different routes? What, did they run out of numbers and letters? So what was going to be a 5 minute walk after work became a 30 minute walk. I eventually made it just as the auction was starting.
I bugged a couple of strangers to learn basic numbers in Norwegian (1-10, 100, 1000).
Eventually, I bought a 2008 FELT QX85, a great bike, for 2300NOK ($430CAN). For Norway, this is a steal (haha). It's in like new condition too!
- Frame: Felt Cross Design 6061 Double Butted Aluminum. Disc-brake Compatible and Integrated Hebie Kickstand Mount. Basta Lock Compatible
- Forks: Felt Alloy Fork with Cro-Mo Steerer tube
- Gears: Shimano Deore M530 front and Shimano Deore LX RD-M571 SGS rear derailleurs
- Shifters: Shimano Deore SL-M530 rapid fire trigger Shifter
- Chainset: Shimano FC-M443-SK Non-Series Forged Aluminum crankset and 48/36/26 tooth chainrings
- Brakes: Shimano BR-M485 Hydraulic disc brakes
- Wheels: WTB DUAL DUTY XC lightweight doublewall rims built on Shimano HB-RM65 hubs with Quick Release
- Tyres: Continental Twister 700x37tyres. Wire bead
- Handlebars: Felt 6061 Alloy butted Flatbar
- Stem: Felt One-Piece 3D Cold-Forged Threadless Aluminum
- Saddle: Felt Facade Comfort saddle
- Seatpost: Felt Alloy Micro-Adjust
- Pedals/Extras: VP-199 MTB Design Alloy Cage and body
However, both tires were completely deflated, and nobody had a Presta pump so I couldn't fill them. I ended up walking home but getting completely lost along the way.
However, I have a new bike now and it rocks!
The funniest part was when they brought up one of several bikes in really bad shape. This one had no front wheel and had at least one cable hanging loose. Nobody started the bidding, so the auctioneer said what I image was "Anyone? Anyone?". Finally one guy just said "4 kroner" and everybody laughed, and he was handed the bike. 4 kroner is about 80 cents Canadian.
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