u/burjwa_look

Purchasing "new old stock" from recently closed bike shop

I've reached out to Salsa directly on this question as well, but obviously not going to hear back until Monday at the earliest. However, just looking for input from the community on this question. Specifically, a local bike shop here in Western PA that recently closed (may have closed as long ago as December 2024, or sometime in 2025, not exactly sure), is selling off its remaining "new old stock" including several Salsa bikes at steep discounts. In particular, the bike I was interested in was being sold for about 64% of its current list price ($1,299) or $825. Of course, not being content for a very good deal, I made a lower offer, hoping to engage in some mild negotiation (i.e., offered $700), and justified this, in part, due to the uncertainity of the warranty situation, as well as the fact that "new bikes" typically come with a period of free tune-ups from the shop. Well, the seller (clearly within their rights) told me to go pound salt (rather than counter), but also said they would give me a written receipt on (closed) bike shop letterhead, which might help with the warranty situation, in the event that there was an issue with the bike. So, obviously a question for Salsa directly, but (again) just soliciting input on this message board while I wait for the official response.

Thanks!

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u/burjwa_look — 5 days ago

West Liberty sidewalk (Beechview) already getting overgrown, trash strewn

A subject I've posted about before, but "here we go again" in terms of the sad, lonely stretch of sidewalk that is technically Beechview (although seems to exist as a liminal 'Burgh space, to a degree). I reached out to Coghill's staff back in late March when it started to get overgrown, and also submitted a 311 request, but as you can see, it hasn't been touched. In the last few years, what typically happens is that this stretch, between Dawn and Brookside, is left to worsen until fall -- last year, it was late October or early November before it was mowed. There is also quite a lot of debris along this patch, including small sized branches, garbage, and in front of the first set of billboards (which appear to be on City of Pittsburgh property) an abandoned car or truck wheel. Ultimately, I assume I have the least "standing" to complain, as I'm not a City resident, I only use this sidewalk for "recreational" purposes (i.e., on my rides HOME FROM the City and Gap Trail, among other destinations) (just editing to clarify that I use the street when coming into the City), and I do not have any mobility limitations. However, if anyone has any thoughts on how we might get the City to be a little more proactive here, I'd love to hear them (and perhaps the answer is that the City has a lot on its plate, and this isn't a huge priority, and it is probably just going to continue to get the once a season treatment, which would be disappointing, but understandable).

u/burjwa_look — 5 days ago