San Diego Velodrome Fall 2006 Swap Meet

[Mo'Phat]

Sunday, November 5th. (http://www.cyclingscience.org/2006swapmeet.htm)

If anybody here hasn't gone, you owe it to yourself to go. I got pretty much my entire bike there last year: NOS Litespeed Orion frame that was never built up: $250. Ultegra group w/ about 100 miles on it: $175. Shimano wheelset w/ skewers, tires, tubes and cassette from the Beyond Bikes booth: $200. All the little bits and pieces came in at under $10 each: seatpost, stem, bars.

You can find clothes for cheap. Frames, bikes (all kinds...not just roadies or tracks), cycling miscellani, and all the hard to find components you want.

Just an FYI, incase this is news to some people.

[mateo44]

Wow, this sounds really fun. Would be great to put together an OC contingent and head down there (after a morning ride, of course). Kinda like a BF field trip, but without the parents' note and crummy sack lunch. I'll check with Mel and see if our schedule is clear that day.

Sunday, November 5th. (http://www.cyclingscience.org/2006swapmeet.htm)

If anybody here hasn't gone, you owe it to yourself to go. I got pretty much my entire bike there last year: NOS Litespeed Orion frame that was never built up: $250. Ultegra group w/ about 100 miles on it: $175. Shimano wheelset w/ skewers, tires, tubes and cassette from the Beyond Bikes booth: $200. All the little bits and pieces came in at under $10 each: seatpost, stem, bars.

You can find clothes for cheap. Frames, bikes (all kinds...not just roadies or tracks), cycling miscellani, and all the hard to find components you want.

Just an FYI, incase this is news to some people.

[Mo'Phat]

I'll edit mine...if you edit yours. :)

[Mo'Phat]

Oh! Also, this isn't all just boxes of used gear. Much of it is brand new overstock from bike shops. Or old stock that just didn't move out of the store.

[mateo44]

Edited.

[Mo'Phat]

NO.no.no...edit the Quote, so I don't look like a schmo.

[mateo44]

LOL. Sorry, not enough caffeine yet. It's done.

[urbanknight]

Last time I went there was in 1995, and I recall picking up some lightly used carbon sole shoes for like $70 ($300 new). My wife wants to go to San Diego to visit her brother and get her favorite chinese food, maybe she'll be ok with a bike swapmeet in exchange!

[Mo'Phat]

...visit her brother and get her favorite chinese food,

Where?

[jschen]

Interesting. I may have to check it out.

[urbanknight]

Where?
I can't remember the name, but when she reminds me I'll post it. It's some family resturant that's only open from like noon to 5 or something.

[jsigone]

if I have $$$ I will go

[mateo44]

I'll have $$$ until I go....

[Grumpy Pig]

I'll have $$$ until I go....You might want to bring your bike rack. Just in case.

[chimivee]

Wow, this sounds really fun. Would be great to put together an OC contingent and head down there (after a morning ride, of course). Kinda like a BF field trip, but without the parents' note and crummy sack lunch. I'll check with Mel and see if our schedule is clear that day.
Interesting. Interestingly interested.

[blue_nose]

I am looking for a new set of brake calipers, so I will probably check it out.

Thanks for the reminder.

[mateo44]

You might want to bring your bike rack. Just in case.

hmmmm. just in case....

I like the sound of that....

[mateo44]

Interesting. Interestingly interested.

In the morning ride, the field trip, or both?

[chimivee]

In the morning ride, the field trip, or both?
Was referring to the field trip... but a ride would be a welcome bonus.

[mateo44]

I figured! :D

One option might be to blow off the ride and get to the swap meet early. I don't know if it's picked-over by the afternoon....

[chimivee]

I figured! :D

One option might be to blow off the ride and get to the swap meet early. I don't know if it's picked-over by the afternoon....
Good point.

[Mo'Phat]

I figured! :D

One option might be to blow off the ride and get to the swap meet early. I don't know if it's picked-over by the afternoon....

The screaming deals will be gone...but if you're looking for something specific, you will probably find it. My buddy got a brand new Campy Record rear brake and front derailleur, from two different merchants, in the bottom of a box. It took him awhile to pick through it all, but they were there.

Also, jerseys are cheeeeeep.



But, you should go with something specific in mind. I went this past spring 'just to go', and walked away with nothing.

[urbanknight]

Also, jerseys are cheeeeeep.

But, you should go with something specific in mind. I went this past spring 'just to go', and walked away with nothing.
I do remember the jerseys being cheap. When I went 10 years ago, I needed more clothes to train in and walked away with a jersey and a skinsuit for $5 each. Since it was for training, I didn't care which washed up team it was from. Oh and the last time I went just to go, I ended up spending $200. Too many good deals.

I'd love to sell some of my leftover stuff, but it's just not enough to justify buying a spot. Too bad it can't be like the car swapmeets where people walk around with a wagoin and a sign (have..... want.....)

[mateo44]

I dont mind walking away with nothing. I just go with an open mind and look for deals. If the shopping gods frown upon me, so be it.

That said, I may prefer to go in the morning for the deals and best selection.

Breaking news: Melissa just confirmed that our schedule is free that day. So if one or more of you OC slobs wanna come along, let me know.

The screaming deals will be gone...but if you're looking for something specific, you will probably find it. My buddy got a brand new Campy Record rear brake and front derailleur, from two different merchants, in the bottom of a box. It took him awhile to pick through it all, but they were there.

Also, jerseys are cheeeeeep.



But, you should go with something specific in mind. I went this past spring 'just to go', and walked away with nothing.

[Mo'Phat]

BTW: all the above deals I got were found and purchased within the first 30 minutes. I was about the 10th guy through the gate. I bought the frame first...and had to carry it around 'til I found the wheels/tires...then had to push the bike around holding on to the unsecured steerer tube. Most inconvenient, but had people gawking at me. Too bad I was 30 lbs heavier with unshaven legs (still unshaven...), I'm sure some of the looks were unkind.

The thing about Swap Meet sellers is that NOBODY wants to pack all their stuff up and put it in storage again, so near the end of the day, prices plummet. Arguments can also be made to stick it out 'til the end and offer an insanely low price for something...the seller might just go for it.

[Mo'Phat]

I'd love to sell some of my leftover stuff, but it's just not enough to justify buying a spot. Too bad it can't be like the car swapmeets where people walk around with a wagoin and a sign (have..... want.....)

I've seen guys walk in as buyers carrying a frame on their shoulders with a for sale sign on it. I'm sure guys are swapping parts for parts (It IS a swap meet), they just don't want someone with a huge cart trying to bypass paying the sellers fee.

[mateo44]

Sounds super fun.

I'm pretty confident (~90%) mel and I will go, so if any OCers want to hitch a ride, just let me know.

EDIT: looks like the clock is messed up again. It was clearly 6:36am when I posted, not 7:36.

[urbanknight]

I've seen guys walk in as buyers carrying a frame on their shoulders with a for sale sign on it. I'm sure guys are swapping parts for parts (It IS a swap meet), they just don't want someone with a huge cart trying to bypass paying the sellers fee.
Yeah, if it was just a frame or a bike that's one thing, but it's like a small box of almost useless junk. I'd be lucky to make my $15 back :D

[jschen]

*BUMP*

For everyone interested, don't forget about this Sunday! (I don't think I can make it. :( Hope the rest of you get some killer deals.)

[Mo'Phat]

Bump...only 3 days away...better hit the ATM the next three days.

[mateo44]

I think we've decided to pass on this, for this year at least. We desperately want to ride on Sunday, and there's not time for us to do both.

[here and there]

The swapmeet was pretty interesting. I got there at 8, sat in the car until 8:30 and there was already a big line to get in. Not the best day for santa ana weather to hit and after a couple hours of walking around I ended up with a headache and a sunburn. As for purchases I got some handlebars (http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/HB409E04-Dimension+Trekking+Handlebar.aspx), brake levers, cable cutters, a couple of brake cables, some wool socks (already my favorite purchase), tights, and a suspension fork for my mountain bike which will end up being resold. Stupid me forgot to factor in the axle to crown measurement and the fork is much shorter than I need it. Oh well.

[Mo'Phat]

Hey here and there...I was there too (since I started this thread)...I ended up buying a MTB (no info since I don't have pictures yet, and it's the rule to post...I got a pretty good deal, methinks). I also got a suspension fork for my Cannondale (and all necessary adaptors to make it fit), but don't know if I want it now after reading reviews.

Which fork did you get? You may have a buyer in me. It might have been one I passed over, then regretted not snagging.

[here and there]

It's an older Rockshox Judy TT. There's a bit of rust on inside of the steerer (from the bottom), but it doesn't look too bad. I basically bought the fork as an experiment. I'm not sure whether I want to keep the bike fully rigid or go with suspension, but I didn't want to spend the money on a new fork yet.

[SD Fixed]

I went, it was pretty average, really. Some good deals. But I got to see some of the AA crew, and Ernesto out of the corner of my eye. The sun was intense, as it is today. Crazy shiznit.

[Fangu]

Myself & a friend were down in SD for a gig on Saturday night- I stumbled across this event right before we left from LA. I wasn't in the market for anything, but he was interested in getting a couple of new bikes to replace his 15 year old pos Raleigh. XC is his main thing, but he wanted a road bike too for his commuting & riding with me etc..
We were suprised to find a line, with a 40 minute wait from the time we arrived. There wasn't too much in the way of full-sus MTB's, but a ton of road bikes from old steelies all the way through Ridley Excallibers and Calfee's. I found an older LeMond Zurich in his size for $500, but it was gone before I could track down my friend. Good thing too- here's what he ended up buying:
Titus TI frame, full Dura-ace drive, Ritchey WCS Compact crank, Ritchey bar, stem & post, Velomax circuit wheels- $1250.
This is his first roadie, so there was much hand-wringing as it was more than his budget; he doesn't really know what he's got yet! This is an awesome bike- as good or better than my Litespeed.
I'll be going again next year & this time I'll be the one with cash in pocket (I had to walk away from a brand new (NOS) Ritchey BreakAway w/ultegra for 1300).

[Mo'Phat]

I saw that bike...drooled over it for awhile...and moved on, as I only brought $800 with me.

That's an incredible score.