i think i'm like some other people here when i say i'm more of a buyer than a flipper. i'm always on the lookout for a good deal on a bike for myself, even though i already have a few. i don't buy that often, but when i do, i get smoking deals.

i bring the bike home and fix it up to my standards, which is generally just cleaning it up, adjusting, maybe repack bearings, etc. overall, i'm generally spending less than $200 on a bike worth roughly $400.

if i end up having buyers remorse and just dont like the bike as much as i thought, i sell it for a profit and repeat the process. if i like it, maybe i'm more apt to part with another bike in my stable, which i've bought for a good price and sell for a profit.

if you are a flipper, i think there's a sweet spot of buying below $100-$150 and selling for $200-$300. this way you aren't really competing against department store bikes (and dept store people), but folks that have good taste but less mechanical skills or time to do the same thing you're doing. also, there are a lot of sellers and buyers in this market.