Classic & Vintage - Swap meets?

I'm debating driving up to Maryland to check out the bicycle swap meet in Westminister Feb. 1. I've never been to one, so I have no idea what they're like. Didn't even know they existed until about a year ago. I understand the prices won't be as low as the local thrift stores. :( .I'm curious what the other denizens of this board think about these things and if it's worth my while to go. Curiousity may impel me anyway.

You may not find any once in a lifetime deals, but you may find something that you really want that is unlikely to show up at a thrift store. It never hurts to look, and you may make some new friends with lotsa old Peugeots too.

Then again you might just find that Peugot you've always been looking for. Parts are always on offer and
I've heard of some really good deals ($5 NOS campy or
TA chainrings).
One place you might check is the Classic Rendezvous
Archives for that specific meet.
check it at: http://search.bikelist.org/
Keyword either Westminster or Swap Meet. There are also usually reports on the list from the bigger shows.
If I still lived in Va. I'd head up to Trexlertown also, very
big meet.
Marty

In some places these things are called flea markets.

I'd love to go to one of those ,as you say " my curiousity would impel me" ,an Alladins cave for bike nuts :D

A swap meet is generally specific to a particular genre of stuff- bikes, cars, etc. A flea market is a more generalized collection of people from all walks of life cleaning out their attics and basements.

Definitely go. We have an Annual Bicycle swap meet in Seattle & there are some great buys there. Never anything predictable but many good quality used bikes & components. Especially good buys on tires & tubes the last few years. Prices get very negotiable later in the day. Just be careful & don't take any more money than you want to spend, it goes quickly but its worth taking enough to buy that once in a lifetime deal on a vintage bike or component. Don

Head on up another few hundred miles:


Monson Mass. Bicycle Show and Swap 22-FEB-04

7th Annual.
Everything from Lightweight to Balloon to Musclebike.
Break those mid-winter blues and see some classic cycles (and maybe pick up a project for the next couple months)

Info, maps and driving directions:

http://oldroads.com/monson.html

Menotomy Vintage Bicycles, Inc.
http://OldRoads.com

Well, I went. Wasn't overly impressed with what I saw vintage wise, but got some very good deals on french-size seatposts and replacement pads for mafac brakes, so I'm happy. Spent too much on ebay last month, anyways.

I might see about renting a table next go round if it isn't to expensive; the stock I've got in my basement right now isn't too far from what I saw at the show.

I went to the westminster meet. I got a bunch of good stuff, but I did notice that is was mostly newer stuff, not really old, unusual stuff. I spent my $90.

I did really welll at the swap. I needed a sram 9.0sl rear der and I found one and talked a guy down to less than shop cost for a brand new one. I also got an old voodoo project frame for 75$ and a wheel with cassette for it for 40$ that does not even look used.

Hey Poguemahone, what kinda of goodies do you have in your basement? Anything worth checking out?

"what kinda of goodies do you have in your basement?"

I have entirely too much junk, and it keeps growing. Some of it is very nice junk, however. Actually, almost all of it.

If you ever need French threaded parts, I'm far, far more likely to have them then either Rowlett's or Agee's.

Nice man. Yeah, Im in the market for building a Peugeot from the ground up, haven't decided if its gonna be a road bike or a track, most likely a track. My friend just got himself an old Peugeot frame that he is turning into a track bike. Well now I know where to turn if I ever need some parts. Let me know if thats cool with you.

Thanks man.

Where would I find information about swap meets in Florida, with all the transplants, there has got to be some stuff hidden in the garages.