Derek asked: Could somebody tell me if it is possible to repair this bike
and if so, what would be a realistic budget to do it?
http://denver.craigslist.org/
Could a good, skilled mechanic at my local independent bike shop straighten this, or is this a repair of epic proportions in which one would need a master framebuilder?
I sez: Without seeing the frame in person, it's really hard to say. It looks like it might be bent back pretty easily by someone with some frame experience, but it is possible to break a stay or bridge loose if not done correctly.
That said $340 for two partial bikes in that condition doesn't seem like much of a bargain to me. The blue one has potential (if it can be repaired and that's a BIG if), although the inexpensive fork crown, apparently low level headset and what appear to be Huret braze-on shifters point to a mid level product, probably comparable to a Peugeot PA-10 or PR-10. I'd be interested in how the seller came to think that it's made of Columbus tubing, as I have not seen one before. On the other hand, the white one is a low level gas pipe frame. Me thinks the lack of interest in negotiation by the seller means that these will end up on eBay and may sell for substantially less.
Cheers,
Mark Ritz
Arcata, CA
http://www.kinetic-koffee.com