Professional Cycling For the Fans - Where do all those bikes end up?

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HWS
07-15-06, 06:23 PM
Does anyone know what happens to all of the bikes the pros ride throughout the year?
I can't imagine them sitting around in a warehouse somewhere.

Stallionforce
07-15-06, 09:50 PM
I think it's a good question. My guess was that the team sold them; I do know some pros get sponsored, and sell their bikes every year, as well. So maybe the riders sell them?
Laggard
07-15-06, 11:13 PM
They get sold, donated, auctioned etc. I've heard that after a year of being ridden hard by pro riders, most bikes are in pretty tough shape.

Guest
07-16-06, 06:07 AM
Some get sold. Some members keep them. Some go back to the factory.

When I went to Italy, I got the chance to tour some of the bike factories, and I saw some of the pro team bikes just laying around. Super cool.

Koffee
ed073
07-16-06, 09:47 PM
The team will try to sell as much as possible at the end of the season from their euro base, or service de course, which is basically a big warehouse. It's a business, so they always try to get something back for used equipment.

Riders can also buy their bikes if they're leaving the team and need one, sometimes they are gifted.
derath
07-17-06, 05:54 AM
I would imagine the manufacturer wants some back. It would be a good way to test frames for R&D.

-D
EURO
07-17-06, 05:59 AM
Last year's race bike are generally this year's training bikes.
ed073
07-17-06, 03:46 PM
I would imagine the manufacturer wants some back. It would be a good way to test frames for R&D.

-D


This is ongoing throughout the year, not just end of season.