Why does everyone take a pic of the WRONG side of a bike when selling?

[trivet]

While looking through "for sale" posts on bikes, I'm most interested in what components the bike is equipped with. heck, sometimes I'm ONLY interested in the components, as it's often cheaper to buy an entire bike than the parts sometimes.

I'm currently looking at some cheap MTBs to replace some parts on my son-in-laws bike, specifically, a new crankset. Don't need anything fancy, but I want to make sure it's a decent model.

But 90% of the postings are like this:




followed by close ups of the f*cking tires stating "lots of tread left". Like I've ever seen a bike for sale with bald tires.......

Of course, these are always posted by people who don't even know what a crankset is, so messaging them and asking doesn't help.....

[ibRAD]

The GT at the top looks the best. Probably STX-RC stuff on there. Rockshocks Quadra!

[facw]

@trivet Lead photo of the bike I bought this summer:

Of course there is a bit of scratching on the chain stay on the other side, so maybe they wanted to hide that (I deemed it superficial enough not to worry about).

Also while I'm not sure bald tires have much meaning here, the rear one was squared off enough that I replaced them. I've had a tire wear through enough to blow out, and it was scary and left me with the prospect of walking 7 miles in cycling shoes (I found a ride, but I was seriously thinking it would be better to risk broken glass and just walk barefoot).

[Milky]

More natural to swing your right leg over, so the person is used to holding it on the left?

[trivet]

@facw said in Why does everyone take a pic of the WRONG side of a bike when selling?:

@trivet Lead photo of the bike I bought this summer:

Of course there is a bit of scratching on the chain stay on the other side, so maybe they wanted to hide that (I deemed it superficial enough not to worry about).

Also while I'm not sure bald tires have much meaning here, the rear one was squared off enough that I replaced them. I've had a tire wear through enough to blow out, and it was scary and left me with the prospect of walking 7 miles in cycling shoes (I found a ride, but I was seriously thinking it would be better to risk broken glass and just walk barefoot).

THAT'S how you take a picture of a bike! You can see what components or grouppo it's equipped with easily.

And I was being a bit facetious about the tires. I'm going to replace the tires 90% of the time anyway. Most of the bikes I've seen have terrible dry rotted tires from sitting in a garage or shed for a few years.

Edit to add: That bike is absolutely gorgeous.

[BeaterGT]

Just like with car pictures, there usually isn't enough pictures, they are blurry and/or at a distance. Even if you get the drivetrain side, you're going to need some eagle eyes to spot the components. Good luck!

[Chariotoflove]

@trivet
Counterpoint: someone who doesn’t take note of the components probably isn’t selling a bike with components worth noticing.

But I take your point.

[Roadkilled]

I guess the photos just focus on the brand name on the top tube assuming that this is supposed to sell the bike.

[Chariotoflove]

@roadkilled said in Why does everyone take a pic of the WRONG side of a bike when selling?:

I guess the photos just focus on the brand name on the top tube assuming that this is supposed to sell the bike.

Suite!

[Jb boin]

Right or wrong?

[trivet]

@jb-boin said in Why does everyone take a pic of the WRONG side of a bike when selling?:

Right or wrong?

Yes.

[A Former User]

Because everyone leans it chain side in so as to prevent people from accidentally getting their pants dirty if they accidentally brush up against the chain. Then when selling, that behavior is so ingrained that they simply prop the bike up the same way to take pictures.
Or they just don't know any better. You pick which one is the better explanation. lol

[merfthemadmauler]

@jb-boin That’s not a bike.

[SilentbutnotreallyDeadly]

@trivet I would buy precisely none of those bikes for their cranksets. However, that Fuji would make for a very decent all road build...

[trivet]

@silentbutnotreallydeadly said in Why does everyone take a pic of the WRONG side of a bike when selling?:

@trivet I would buy precisely none of those bikes for their cranksets. However, that Fuji would make for a very decent all road build...

These were just some examples, I wasn't seriously interested in them.

I have seen a lot of ads where I am seriously interested depending on the componentry, but the complete lack of detail, pictures, and low IQ of the sellers has kept me from even inquiring anymore.....

[SilentbutnotreallyDeadly]

@trivet I rarely bother chasing a bike for parts unless I can physically look at it first or I outright know it is being undersold. As for cranksets, given that a new Shimano Deore 10 speed crankset can be had with a new bottom bracket for about AU$80...and most older ones are trashed in some way anyway.

[ST80MND]

@ibrad Not to be pedantic, but those are mag 21’s not quadras. Rebound and compression, with magnesium crown.

[ibRAD]

Hey, be pedantic! I'm going on 25 year old memories! IIRC my buddy had that same GT. I was rolling on Judy SLs at the time.

[trivet]

@ibrad said in Why does everyone take a pic of the WRONG side of a bike when selling?:

I was rolling on Judy SLs at the time.

I still ride Judy Rockshoxs with Speed Springs (replaces the elastomer). They are amazingly still awesome.

[ibRAD]

@trivet I stopped riding mine when the stem/crown interface started to creak and I didn't trust them anymore. I've still got them though! I've been riding Marzocchi Z2 Atom race since then. Guess I'm the old guy on the antique equipment now!

[trivet]

@ibrad said in Why does everyone take a pic of the WRONG side of a bike when selling?:

Guess I'm the old guy on the antique equipment now!

I hear that... I'm not sure when my equipment went from "cutting edge/top of the line" to "vintage". But I certainly learned the good stuff lasts!

Hell, I still run Spinnergy Rev X wheels on both my road and MTB.

pic for those who are wondering.....

[ibRAD]

@trivet I'm starting to discover that the old stuff lasts...until it finally starts to wear out and then you either have to buy a new bike, or accept sub-standard replacement parts.

I think I'm going to have to live on NOS ebay parts since a bike I like as much is far beyond my budget. (and I have two kids to buy for now that need new bikes every couple of years)

I haven't seen a set of those spinergy wheels for years! I'm running Crossmax on my mtb, and it's twin sister Ksyrium SL on the road!

I'd love a disc drive wheel though as long as I'm antique.

[trivet]

@ibrad
Damn, that rear wheel set up reminds me of the Uni Disc wheel cover! I had a set of Uni's "back in the day".

[ibRAD]

@trivet Would totally run Unis on my current road bike. Wonder if you can still find some. A friend had those in high school. Colour matched with his Bianchi!