Bike Flipping 101
#301
aka Tom Reingold
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A writer for the New York Times went to Portland just to report on the used bike scene there. She said since it's a very cycling city, car values are low and bike values are sky high. Used bikes start at $450 and go up from there.
She said in Phoenix, where people don't ride much, car values are high and bike values are low. In theory, you could cycle from Phoenix to Portland, sell your bike, buy a car, drive back to Phoenix and sell the car. Of course, you could start this cycle in Portland instead. But you'd need a lot of time to do this.
She said in Phoenix, where people don't ride much, car values are high and bike values are low. In theory, you could cycle from Phoenix to Portland, sell your bike, buy a car, drive back to Phoenix and sell the car. Of course, you could start this cycle in Portland instead. But you'd need a lot of time to do this.
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#302
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I flip mostly for the pleasure of hunting on craigslist and working on bikes. So far, the biggest thing I've learned is KNOW YOUR MARKET. I am living in a college town and fixed-gear and road bikes are the rage right now. Luckily, there are suburbs outside of the city with people getting rid of the bikes they've had since the 70s-80s. When spring comes around, I can easily sell good mid-range road bikes in the 200-300 range that I bought for 50-125 after getting them road worthy. There is another flipper in town that has the same group of mountain and hybrid bikes that are cheap and would make fine and practical commuter bikes but have been relisted for over a year.
People spending 200-300 for a bike usually don't care if the derailleurs are vintage Campy, but they do care if it rides, brakes, and shifts smoothly. Take the time to road test everything and make sure that you aren't selling a bike that you wouldn't ride unless you make that clear any problems to a buyer. Because I like to ride everything I work on, I stay away from frames that are way too big for me.
I have also found that many people buying in this range are more impressed that I have wrapped new bar tape and throw in some $5 silicone lights than when I put together a complete french drive train for an old Motobecane. Aesthetics really count. Good paint and a clean bike make selling much easier.
As the previous posters have said, you do not make much profit, especially if you take the time (which I always do) to replace worn cables, tires, tubes, grips, and brake pads. If you look on ebay, you can buy handlebar tape from Chinese sellers for around 3-4 dollars a pair. I have had stuff lost or take forever shipping from overseas, so be cautious. I basically fund my future bike purchases through my reselling, so it is a hobby that pays for (some of) itself.
People spending 200-300 for a bike usually don't care if the derailleurs are vintage Campy, but they do care if it rides, brakes, and shifts smoothly. Take the time to road test everything and make sure that you aren't selling a bike that you wouldn't ride unless you make that clear any problems to a buyer. Because I like to ride everything I work on, I stay away from frames that are way too big for me.
I have also found that many people buying in this range are more impressed that I have wrapped new bar tape and throw in some $5 silicone lights than when I put together a complete french drive train for an old Motobecane. Aesthetics really count. Good paint and a clean bike make selling much easier.
As the previous posters have said, you do not make much profit, especially if you take the time (which I always do) to replace worn cables, tires, tubes, grips, and brake pads. If you look on ebay, you can buy handlebar tape from Chinese sellers for around 3-4 dollars a pair. I have had stuff lost or take forever shipping from overseas, so be cautious. I basically fund my future bike purchases through my reselling, so it is a hobby that pays for (some of) itself.
#303
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
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Thrifty Bill, where do you keep all these donor bikes? Do you disassemble them partially to stack them in tight?
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#304
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Dittos on this issue. I have been fixing and flippin bikes for almost 4 years and do it because I like it. Most don't realize its a labor of love. Once in awhile I get a good deal on a bike and don't have to do much to resale it, but thats not the usual. Most bikes I rebuild everything, all bearings and make sure the tires are excellent or new. I always match and touch up scratches on frame and finish with a complete cleaning and wax job. I always take a test ride to make sure everything works right. And i would sell those bikes to my mother. Selling a bike to a person that gets a smile on their face when they take it for a ride and saying ,"I like it", makes it all worthwhile. Classic bike saved and passing on to a new owner is all worth it. I just make a little play money doing this, but self satisfaction in what I do is better then my regular day job. I am retiring soon and will take this hobby with me
I don't like to mess with anything that I can't sell for $150 - $200 quickly. When you get up into the $300 and above market, most buyers are like us and know what they want.
Each bicycle I intend to sell gets a couple test rides and I tell the buyer if anything is wrong with it or they don't like it I will buy it back. i wouldn't extend that offer to cheaper bikes or if I did not believe that I have rebuilt quality bicycle, I have only bought one back. I have even had people bring their friends back to buy.
I enjoy rebuilding something that was to be trashed and if someone gets a good deal and I make a little ... so be it. Circle of life.
#305
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Now I have flipped a fair number of bikes, considering I'm still in my teens. I also live in one of the most cycling interested countries in the world, and that is both good and bad.
The pros are the extremely high selling prices - I can sell bikes at ridiculously high percentages of the value the bike had from new. We are talking a minimum of 50 percent, just as long as the bike is just rideable, and a lot more if it's in good condition.
The cons are of cause the high purchasing prices. I have never bought a bike for less than the equivalent of $100, and that is even including crazy worn out bikes.
There are a lot of great advice in this threat already, and it is coming from people with a lot more experience than me. But I believe that I got a few things worth adding, or at least repeating.
1) First of all, make a choice. Do you want to make the most money you possibly can, or is this just a hobby? If you really wanna make a lot of money, you can't afford the luxury of being a gentlemen. Think like a used car salesmen. Maximize your profit, minimize your spending.
2) Make a great add, that really captivates people. If you have a nice bike, take nice pictures. Write down every little thing in the add - in my experience it makes a huge difference if you write "Nice bike" and use only one picture, or if you really write about all the nice features the bike has, and put six or seven good quality pictures in the add.
3) Know your target demographic. I primarily sell bikes to kids from 18-29. These are young people, whom have little knowledge about bikes, and have parents with thick wallets to back them up financially. This mean aesthetics is the priority. They don't care if the headset is Chris King, they care about the color and "feel" of the bike. So for me it would be a complete waste to put a nice $100 headset on a bike, because it wouldn't add a lot to my final selling price.
4) Get to know the right people. I get a pair of nice, fashionable gumwall tires for about $20. And this is in a country, where everything is a lot more expensive then the U.S. because of taxes and what not. This is because I know the right guy. If I didn't know him, I would be paying $60-$80 instead.
I am also lucky to know the best mechanic in town, because we used to ride in the same club. Because of this, and because I generally bring him a lot of business means I get a pretty fair discount, whenever I need parts/things fixed etc. So get to know people in the bicycle community!
And that's all I can think of, on the top of my head. I have flipped somewhere between 50-100 bikes within the last year and a half, and never once lost money. So for me it's a fairly lucrative way to finance my own hobbies and a lot of other luxuries, that I otherwise would not be able to afford.
PS: Sorry if I made a crazy long post!
The pros are the extremely high selling prices - I can sell bikes at ridiculously high percentages of the value the bike had from new. We are talking a minimum of 50 percent, just as long as the bike is just rideable, and a lot more if it's in good condition.
The cons are of cause the high purchasing prices. I have never bought a bike for less than the equivalent of $100, and that is even including crazy worn out bikes.
There are a lot of great advice in this threat already, and it is coming from people with a lot more experience than me. But I believe that I got a few things worth adding, or at least repeating.
1) First of all, make a choice. Do you want to make the most money you possibly can, or is this just a hobby? If you really wanna make a lot of money, you can't afford the luxury of being a gentlemen. Think like a used car salesmen. Maximize your profit, minimize your spending.
2) Make a great add, that really captivates people. If you have a nice bike, take nice pictures. Write down every little thing in the add - in my experience it makes a huge difference if you write "Nice bike" and use only one picture, or if you really write about all the nice features the bike has, and put six or seven good quality pictures in the add.
3) Know your target demographic. I primarily sell bikes to kids from 18-29. These are young people, whom have little knowledge about bikes, and have parents with thick wallets to back them up financially. This mean aesthetics is the priority. They don't care if the headset is Chris King, they care about the color and "feel" of the bike. So for me it would be a complete waste to put a nice $100 headset on a bike, because it wouldn't add a lot to my final selling price.
4) Get to know the right people. I get a pair of nice, fashionable gumwall tires for about $20. And this is in a country, where everything is a lot more expensive then the U.S. because of taxes and what not. This is because I know the right guy. If I didn't know him, I would be paying $60-$80 instead.
I am also lucky to know the best mechanic in town, because we used to ride in the same club. Because of this, and because I generally bring him a lot of business means I get a pretty fair discount, whenever I need parts/things fixed etc. So get to know people in the bicycle community!
And that's all I can think of, on the top of my head. I have flipped somewhere between 50-100 bikes within the last year and a half, and never once lost money. So for me it's a fairly lucrative way to finance my own hobbies and a lot of other luxuries, that I otherwise would not be able to afford.
PS: Sorry if I made a crazy long post!
#306
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I dont know if it has been covered here in the flipping 101, but what about buying stolen bikes? I purchased a bianchi at what I thought was a great deal only to re-list it on craigslist. I met up with a buyer only to have him show up with 2 cops saying that the bike is stolen.
The guy gets his bike back, which is awesome. But im out of money and I could have possible legal problems in the future? I didn't know it was stolen and in no way participated in its theft. Lose/Lose for me. Pretty lame, IMO
The guy gets his bike back, which is awesome. But im out of money and I could have possible legal problems in the future? I didn't know it was stolen and in no way participated in its theft. Lose/Lose for me. Pretty lame, IMO
#307
Still learning
I dont know if it has been covered here in the flipping 101, but what about buying stolen bikes? I purchased a bianchi at what I thought was a great deal only to re-list it on craigslist. I met up with a buyer only to have him show up with 2 cops saying that the bike is stolen.
The guy gets his bike back, which is awesome. But im out of money and I could have possible legal problems in the future? I didn't know it was stolen and in no way participated in its theft. Lose/Lose for me. Pretty lame, IMO
The guy gets his bike back, which is awesome. But im out of money and I could have possible legal problems in the future? I didn't know it was stolen and in no way participated in its theft. Lose/Lose for me. Pretty lame, IMO
It's been covered in other threads. Was your purchase deal too good to be true? Did you buy it from a homeowner or meet in some out of the way place? Those are pretty telltale clues it's hot.
#308
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A writer for the New York Times went to Portland just to report on the used bike scene there. She said since it's a very cycling city, car values are low and bike values are sky high. Used bikes start at $450 and go up from there.
She said in Phoenix, where people don't ride much, car values are high and bike values are low. In theory, you could cycle from Phoenix to Portland, sell your bike, buy a car, drive back to Phoenix and sell the car. Of course, you could start this cycle in Portland instead. But you'd need a lot of time to do this.
She said in Phoenix, where people don't ride much, car values are high and bike values are low. In theory, you could cycle from Phoenix to Portland, sell your bike, buy a car, drive back to Phoenix and sell the car. Of course, you could start this cycle in Portland instead. But you'd need a lot of time to do this.
oddjob2 and I had that discussion, I can buy vintage road bike down here in Tampa for next to nothing. I don't bother because after my time and expenses there's no profit to made. I told oddjob2 if I bought every bike I could I'd be able to fill a 50 ft. UHaul truck. That would be one hell of a road trip, a 50 ft UHaul jam packed heading to Portland! Figure 300 bikes @ $300 per bike = $90,000 minus expences of $150 per bike plus the truck food and lodging.
Hmmm....
Expences:
Bikes: 300 bikes @ $150 = $45,000
U Haul truck one way: $300
3 night hotel/2 rooms: $300
7 days in hotel in Portland: $350
Food n stuff X 2 X 7 days: $350
Miscellaneous costs: $4K
So maybe I'm in for $50K to run 300 bikes in ride ready condition up to Portland. I guess $40K is a nice profit...now, if I only didn't have such a good job.
I dont know if it has been covered here in the flipping 101, but what about buying stolen bikes? I purchased a bianchi at what I thought was a great deal only to re-list it on craigslist. I met up with a buyer only to have him show up with 2 cops saying that the bike is stolen.
The guy gets his bike back, which is awesome. But im out of money and I could have possible legal problems in the future? I didn't know it was stolen and in no way participated in its theft. Lose/Lose for me. Pretty lame, IMO
The guy gets his bike back, which is awesome. But im out of money and I could have possible legal problems in the future? I didn't know it was stolen and in no way participated in its theft. Lose/Lose for me. Pretty lame, IMO
Last edited by miamijim; 05-31-13 at 04:22 PM.
#309
Still learning
oddjob and I had that discussion, I can buy vintage road bike down here in Tampa for next to nothing. I don't bother because after my time and expenses there's no profit to made. I told oddjob if I bought every bike I could I'd be able to rent a huge U-Haul truck. That would be one hell of a road trip, a 50 ft U-Haul jam packed with vintage bikes.
Destination, WRK101's workshop in Hootersville!
Rumor has it, his inventory is dwindling!
#311
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I have a chance to pick up a 1977 schwinn ladies breeze for about $30.00, paint is in good shape , deals are clean, just need tires.
-- Question i buy and flip bikes all the time and have not done anything like this type ( Ladies , Single speed, Yellow ) bikes
is it work to get it and flip it on ebay. ?
I have seen some of these sell for $50.00 and others for $200.00+ on ebay. what are my tell tell signs on these.
1977 yellow schwinn breeze ladies single speed with chrome fenders
all input welcomed
-- Question i buy and flip bikes all the time and have not done anything like this type ( Ladies , Single speed, Yellow ) bikes
is it work to get it and flip it on ebay. ?
I have seen some of these sell for $50.00 and others for $200.00+ on ebay. what are my tell tell signs on these.
1977 yellow schwinn breeze ladies single speed with chrome fenders
all input welcomed
#312
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I have a chance to pick up a 1977 schwinn ladies breeze for about $30.00, paint is in good shape , deals are clean, just need tires.
-- Question i buy and flip bikes all the time and have not done anything like this type ( Ladies , Single speed, Yellow ) bikes
is it work to get it and flip it on ebay. ?
I have seen some of these sell for $50.00 and others for $200.00+ on ebay. what are my tell tell signs on these.
1977 yellow schwinn breeze ladies single speed with chrome fenders
all input welcomed
-- Question i buy and flip bikes all the time and have not done anything like this type ( Ladies , Single speed, Yellow ) bikes
is it work to get it and flip it on ebay. ?
I have seen some of these sell for $50.00 and others for $200.00+ on ebay. what are my tell tell signs on these.
1977 yellow schwinn breeze ladies single speed with chrome fenders
all input welcomed
That's not a bike for Ebay.
#313
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After some research you are correct. its at $60-90$ bike on ebay. No worry my 12yr old daughter loved it and kept it.
I was cool to see her a 12yr old girl get excited about a bike build 33yrs ago. i guess with all the vintage restores i have done its rubbing on to her. we sold her Walmart bike this weekend and picked out a basket and bell ring.
I was cool to see her a 12yr old girl get excited about a bike build 33yrs ago. i guess with all the vintage restores i have done its rubbing on to her. we sold her Walmart bike this weekend and picked out a basket and bell ring.
#314
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oddjob2 and I had that discussion, I can buy vintage road bike down here in Tampa for next to nothing. I don't bother because after my time and expenses there's no profit to made. I told oddjob2 if I bought every bike I could I'd be able to fill a 50 ft. UHaul truck. That would be one hell of a road trip, a 50 ft UHaul jam packed heading to Portland! Figure 300 bikes @ $300 per bike = $90,000 minus expences of $150 per bike plus the truck food and lodging.
Hmmm....
Expences:
Bikes: 300 bikes @ $150 = $45,000
U Haul truck one way: $300
3 night hotel/2 rooms: $300
7 days in hotel in Portland: $350
Food n stuff X 2 X 7 days: $350
Miscellaneous costs: $4K
So maybe I'm in for $50K to run 300 bikes in ride ready condition up to Portland. I guess $40K is a nice profit...now, if I only didn't have such a good job.
Hmmm....
Expences:
Bikes: 300 bikes @ $150 = $45,000
U Haul truck one way: $300
3 night hotel/2 rooms: $300
7 days in hotel in Portland: $350
Food n stuff X 2 X 7 days: $350
Miscellaneous costs: $4K
So maybe I'm in for $50K to run 300 bikes in ride ready condition up to Portland. I guess $40K is a nice profit...now, if I only didn't have such a good job.
btw you think you could unload 300 bikes at $300/each in 7 days?
#316
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I scrounge and save every little bit of cable I can find as most bikes I come across has at leased a seized rear brake, however at the old Mart of Wal...Walmart if you will, they sell a complete wire kit for under $6. I think I'm done saving old cables, this is just too quick to ignore, and while my time is cheap, the more bikes out the door, the better. $6 seems pretty cheap for all the cables you need.
#317
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After some research you are correct. its at $60-90$ bike on ebay. No worry my 12yr old daughter loved it and kept it.
I was cool to see her a 12yr old girl get excited about a bike build 33yrs ago. i guess with all the vintage restores i have done its rubbing on to her. we sold her Walmart bike this weekend and picked out a basket and bell ring.
I was cool to see her a 12yr old girl get excited about a bike build 33yrs ago. i guess with all the vintage restores i have done its rubbing on to her. we sold her Walmart bike this weekend and picked out a basket and bell ring.
#318
Senior Member
I scrounge and save every little bit of cable I can find as most bikes I come across has at leased a seized rear brake, however at the old Mart of Wal...Walmart if you will, they sell a complete wire kit for under $6. I think I'm done saving old cables, this is just too quick to ignore, and while my time is cheap, the more bikes out the door, the better. $6 seems pretty cheap for all the cables you need.
#320
Senior Member
I have those cables on my old mongoose. nothing but positive to say about them for 3 years.
they are unlined though, and wont work with index apparently. but it's pretty surprising how good my brake feel is
they are unlined though, and wont work with index apparently. but it's pretty surprising how good my brake feel is
#321
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They are pretty big inside, which would mean things would have to get crazy rusty to actually freeze a cable.
#323
Still learning
Niagaracycle.com sells everything in bulk, cables, housing, brake pads, bearings, etc.
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Thanks.
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OK, so one thing that I did not see on this thread. How about replacing chains? Is there a place to find good chains at a good price?