I started out flipping when I got the fever and it was a great way to learn about lots of components and brands. i also spent a good deal of my time rummaging for parts and scouring ebay for deals... I got a couple early cinelli 1A and 1R stems on the bay and even flipped a 1st gen 1A at 10x the cost on ebay. I don't have time for it anymore. I have a back log of personal projects and a bike to build for a friend. With the day job paying for my hobby. I also ride modern stuff and the bill for the suspension service on two full suspension MTBs in the household last fall was $700. That was a reasonable price for the work done and it was done at a bike suspension only specialty shop on the North Shore of Vancouver. I'm also converting my rig to 1x10 this season for fun... cost about $250.