Who gets your bikes when you die?
11-09-15, 06:14 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 237
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
3 Posts
Who gets your bikes when you die?
I've been pondering that question - I've got about $40K into my collection with accessories - of course with depreciation the cash value isn't great. And it will all become obsolete ... Oops, it already did the day I bought it. 
I have two awesome cycling friends - and they are both in Europe - so shipping it when I achieve ambient temperature would have be part of the deal - or liquidate and send them whatever pittance on the dollar my estate might get out of them.
Best reason I can think of to keep current in gear!
I have two awesome cycling friends - and they are both in Europe - so shipping it when I achieve ambient temperature would have be part of the deal - or liquidate and send them whatever pittance on the dollar my estate might get out of them.
Best reason I can think of to keep current in gear!
11-09-15, 06:19 PM
#2
Life is good
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Not far from the Withlacoochee Trail. 🚴🏻
Posts: 18,209
Bikes: 2018 Lynskey Helix Pro
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 522 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 10 Times
in
10 Posts
My bikes will probably go to craigslist for the best prices I can get -- unless my favorite bike shop will either buy them for resale or handle the sale and take a percentage of the price.
__________________
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. - Psalm 103:8
I am a cyclist. I am not the fastest or the fittest. But I will get to where I'm going with a smile on my face.
11-09-15, 06:22 PM
#3
Senior Member
I have one son who is an avid cyclist… but he is not my size.
I have one son my size who does not (yet?) bike.
Anyway, I don't have to worry about it. I will be dead.
I have one son my size who does not (yet?) bike.
Anyway, I don't have to worry about it. I will be dead.
11-09-15, 06:27 PM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Eugene, Oregon, USA
Posts: 27,547
Mentioned: 217 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18352 Post(s)
Liked 4,502 Times
in
3,346 Posts
I haven't worried about it as I anticipate a lot more water under the bridge, and a lot could change before I start growing daisies. Of course, I could get smacked by a car tomorrow, but then I'm not going to worry about it.
My father only had one bike, and my brother now has it. I don't know if he's riding it at all.
My father only had one bike, and my brother now has it. I don't know if he's riding it at all.
11-09-15, 06:35 PM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: D'uh... I am a Cutter
Posts: 6,139
Bikes: '17 Access Old Turnpike Gravel bike, '14 Trek 1.1, '13 Cannondale CAAD 10, '98 CAD 2, R300
Mentioned: 62 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1571 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 12 Times
in
9 Posts
Sometimes when I clean the garage I ask myself if I am just cleaning or am I also maintaining the items for the estate sale. I have no one who would particularly benefit from my personal stuff.
11-09-15, 06:42 PM
#6
Senior Member
Garage sale or the like, I guess. I'm the only one in my family who is interested in, and still able to do, bicycling.
In a related note, $40,000 in stuff? Can I get into your will for a groupset and 700C wheelset?
In a related note, $40,000 in stuff? Can I get into your will for a groupset and 700C wheelset?
11-09-15, 07:31 PM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Norman, OK
Posts: 837
Bikes: Casati Laser, Colnago Tecnos, Ciöcc Exige, Black Mountain Cycles Road
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 129 Post(s)
Liked 177 Times
in
78 Posts
No one else in the family is 1) interested, or 2) my size. My guess is they'll go to the local Goodwill.
11-09-15, 08:20 PM
#9
It's MY mountain
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Mt.Diablo
Posts: 10,001
Bikes: Klein, Merckx, Trek
Mentioned: 70 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4335 Post(s)
Liked 2,977 Times
in
1,614 Posts
I've often thought I should tell my wife to contact one of the local BF guys to take all the bike stuff, sell it for what it's worth... take a percentage and give her the rest... gotta be better than an estate sale.
11-09-15, 08:30 PM
#10
On Your Left
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Long Island, New York, USA
Posts: 8,373
Bikes: Trek Emonda SLR, Sram eTap, Zipp 303
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3004 Post(s)
Liked 2,433 Times
in
1,187 Posts
Screw the bike, what abut the car?
11-09-15, 08:58 PM
#12
Banned
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Lincoln Ne
Posts: 9,924
Bikes: RANS Stratus TerraTrike Tour II
Mentioned: 46 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3352 Post(s)
Liked 1,056 Times
in
635 Posts
With three sons, and a bent bike and a trike, plus lots of tools, the boys can haggle over them. Maybe I will have them bury me with a multi bike tool in my hand.
11-09-15, 09:36 PM
#14
On Your Left
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Long Island, New York, USA
Posts: 8,373
Bikes: Trek Emonda SLR, Sram eTap, Zipp 303
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3004 Post(s)
Liked 2,433 Times
in
1,187 Posts
11-09-15, 09:39 PM
#16
On Your Left
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Long Island, New York, USA
Posts: 8,373
Bikes: Trek Emonda SLR, Sram eTap, Zipp 303
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3004 Post(s)
Liked 2,433 Times
in
1,187 Posts
11-09-15, 11:05 PM
#17
Senior Member
11-09-15, 11:07 PM
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Northern San Diego
Posts: 1,726
Bikes: mid 1980s De Rosa SL, 1985 Tommasini Super Prestige all Campy SR, 1992 Paramount PDG Series 7, 1997 Lemond Zurich, 1998 Trek Y-foil, 2006 Schwinn Super Sport GS, 2006 Specialized Hardrock Sport
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 59 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
The Smithsonian can have mine if they want them. If not, whomever ends up picking through my belongings.
11-09-15, 11:11 PM
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: midwest
Posts: 2,528
Bikes: 2018 Roubaix Expert Di2, 2016 Diverge Expert X1
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 482 Post(s)
Liked 151 Times
in
105 Posts
Jeez , that's the last thing on my mind. But my son, who among other things has been a mechanic, will get all my tools.
11-09-15, 11:42 PM
#20
You gonna eat that?
My wife will sell them. It's okay, I won't need them anymore.
__________________
I stop for people / whose right of way I honor / but not for no one.
Originally Posted by bragi 
"However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
I stop for people / whose right of way I honor / but not for no one.
Originally Posted by bragi "However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
11-10-15, 06:30 AM
#21
Senior Member
Mine will go to my daughters.
11-10-15, 11:20 AM
#22
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Mission Viejo
Posts: 5,801
Bikes: 1986 Cannondale SR400 (Flat bar commuter), 1988 Cannondale Criterium XTR, 1992 Serotta T-Max, 1995 Trek 970
Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1943 Post(s)
Liked 2,164 Times
in
1,323 Posts
My older brother passed away earlier this year; no spouse, no children, no will. Since it is just my younger brother and me, we get along great, we are local, it has not been a major problem. But from the few times we had to go to probate court, we have seen some of the other cases and it can be a big hassle. It is pretty amazing what happens to people when stuff is involved. Here are my thoughts...
If you have some people who will really appreciate your bike stuff, you need to set something up to make sure they get your collection. I'm not an estate planner, so you'll need to find someone to give you advice. You need to find someone who will take what you have done over the years and use it the way you want them to. In my opinion, if you can, the best thing you can do is to not leave a lot of debt that forces an heir to just liquidate the estate with little control over it. I believe the creditors will get paid first.
Fortunately my older brother was solvent when he died and that has allowed my younger brother and I a lot of latitude over the best route to take. While not a cyclist at all, he did have his Legnano from the 60's that my younger brother will lovingly get back on the road. To me it is more important to see the bike being ridden again after all these years than just selling it off to someone.
John
If you have some people who will really appreciate your bike stuff, you need to set something up to make sure they get your collection. I'm not an estate planner, so you'll need to find someone to give you advice. You need to find someone who will take what you have done over the years and use it the way you want them to. In my opinion, if you can, the best thing you can do is to not leave a lot of debt that forces an heir to just liquidate the estate with little control over it. I believe the creditors will get paid first.
Fortunately my older brother was solvent when he died and that has allowed my younger brother and I a lot of latitude over the best route to take. While not a cyclist at all, he did have his Legnano from the 60's that my younger brother will lovingly get back on the road. To me it is more important to see the bike being ridden again after all these years than just selling it off to someone.
John
11-10-15, 11:35 AM
#23
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: St Peters, Missouri
Posts: 30,225
Bikes: Catrike 559 I own some others but they don't get ridden very much.
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1572 Post(s)
Liked 643 Times
in
364 Posts
Got any trading stock? I've got a 700c wheelset - Open Pro rims on Tiagra hubs that could have your name on it. For you I'd even throw in an 11/34 9-speed cassette.
__________________
My greatest fear is all of my kids standing around my coffin and talking about "how sensible" dad was.
My greatest fear is all of my kids standing around my coffin and talking about "how sensible" dad was.
11-10-15, 11:46 AM
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 6,319
Bikes: 2012 Salsa Casseroll, 2009 Kona Blast
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1031 Post(s)
Liked 208 Times
in
146 Posts
I suppose my son can have my bikes. Problem is, at the rate he is growing, he will likely be too tall for my bikes by the time he reaches his full height.
11-10-15, 12:50 PM
#25
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: northern Deep South
Posts: 8,895
Bikes: Fuji Touring, Novara Randonee
Mentioned: 36 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2599 Post(s)
Liked 1,924 Times
in
1,208 Posts
I'd guess my wife or daughters will haul them down to Goodwill.
4 bikes @ $100. Now that's a depressing thought. They're worth a lot more! (Well, three of them are...)
4 bikes @ $100. Now that's a depressing thought. They're worth a lot more! (Well, three of them are...)