DONOR WATCH

Every build starts with the right donor. Here's what we'd buy right now in 9 US metros.

10
Candidates Scouted
9
US Metros Covered
5
Active Buys This Weekend

What makes a good VoltCraft donor?

🛡
Frame Condition
Steel hardtails with no cracks, pitting, or DIY welds. Dropout spacing must be standard (135mm rear / 100mm front). This is the make-or-break check.
Drivetrain Irrelevance
We strip it anyway. We don't care if the chain is rusty or the derailleur is bent — that's $30 in parts. What matters is whether the frame is worth keeping.
Reusable Suspension & Wheels
Spoke count ≥36 and rims without cracks = keep the wheels. Fork condition matters for kit fit. Disc brake mounts are a bonus — saves on brake upgrades.
Kansas City
BUY
Mongoose Excursion 29" Hardtail
ASKING$260–$300
Facebook Marketplace
"Frame solid, drivetrain shot — perfect donor."
Phoenix
NEGOTIATE
Mongoose Excursion 27.5" (Excellent Condition)
ASKINGNegotiable
Facebook Marketplace
"27.5 limits kit options. $225 cash, garage pickup."
Albany
BUY
Schwinn + Mongoose Bundle
ASKING$70–$130 (both)
Facebook Marketplace
"Two frames, one price. Bundle deal for dual builds."
Raleigh
NEGOTIATE
Mongoose Excursion 24" Junior
ASKING~$200
Facebook Marketplace
"24" limits buyer pool. $100 cash or move on."
Austin
BUY
Mongoose Excursion 29" Medium
ASKINGNegotiable
Facebook Marketplace
"Classic 29 donor, clean frame — grab it fast."
NYC
NEGOTIATE
Charge Mountain Bike
ASKING$120
Facebook Marketplace
"No drivetrain info — $80 cash, inspect in person."
Seattle
NEGOTIATE
Lectric XP 2.0 StepThru
ASKING$700
Craigslist
"E-bike strip candidate — test battery or negotiate to $400."
SF Bay
NEGOTIATE
Magnum Navigator 27.5" (310 miles)
ASKING~$800–$1,000
Craigslist
"If battery holds: resell or convert. $550 cash, test first."
Denver/Boulder
PASS
Overland A/T Cargo Fat Tire E-Bike
ASKING$1,500
Craigslist
"Already an e-bike near retail. No profit window."
Denver/Boulder
PASS
2025 RadWagon 4 Cargo E-Bike
ASKING$1,800
Craigslist
"Resale candidate only — battery health make-or-break."
BUYStrong frame, tight price — act now
NEGOTIATEGood candidate, needs a lower number
PASSNo margin, move on

One-minute donor check

Frame crack?
No crack → pass
Any crack → fail
Dropout spacing standard?
135mm rear / 100mm front → pass
Non-standard → fail
Spoke count ≥36?
Yes → pass
32 or fewer → fail
Battery holds charge?
Full range → pass
Dies early → $200–$400 off or walk

If it passes 4/6, buy it.

Want us to build one in your city?

We scout donors, document every build, and ship to buyers across the country. Join the waitlist — we'll reach out when we're in your metro.

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