Right, first of all, my 'whatever 'comment was put up before amt edited the post to add the bit about women riding bikes and I'm not sure that picking holes in my choice of words was actually relevant in the first place but there you go. I assume that you don't use 'mankind' either?
Secondly, I don't care if you approach this rider or not, really doesn't bother me in the slightest, but what incenses me, and I believe that I'm entitled to an opinion? Is that some people see a dirty bike or a bike with a rusty chain and make the assumption that it is not being used properly so it deserves to be with them, I think that is impolite.
You know what an Aluminium 'O' is worth, get your cheque book out and offer them its market value. What you're asking the current owner to do is accept riding around on a less prestigious bike so that you can own a better one, whats that worth to you?