Hi folks,

This may seem like a silly question, but I’d like some inputs on a small dilemma I have.

During the course of two of classic restorations I’m in the process of completing, I’ve acquired a mid-80s Campy grupo. This consists of an Athena crankset, 980 derailleurs, Record brakes, and a wheelset with Victory/Triomphe hubs laced to Mavic MA2 rims, plus Modolo stem with anatomic bars and enough miscellaneous parts except a frame to complete the build without much cash outlay. And I don’t need another frequent rider.

So, should I just sell off the parts piecemeal or find an applicable frame and build up a ready to ride vintage bike? Something to consider is that I live fairly close to Portland Oregon metro area, which is a very warm vintage bike market in the spring and summer. A remote option is to use the parts to build up a mixte for my wife, but she loves the stability of her Trek comfort bike with its fat tires. Although, it’s a 30+ pound slug.

Please understand that I’m retired and, since this is a hobby, the time investment is inconsequential. Also, the outlay for these components was part of the restorations mention earlier.

Our comments and suggestions will be greatly appreciate.

Thanks and regards,

Van

If you really don't need another bike, sell them off piece meal. You'll get the most that way.
However, if you just feel like building another bike, go for it. It's odd how spare components grow into spare bikes so quickly.

It really comes down to whether or not you'll appreciate and ride another bike if you build it. You could build and flip but there's always something you'll need that will cost $ to complete the project. If collecting another bike has no interest, it's probably best to sell the components.

After my first vintage build I thought I was done. I quickly realized I wanted another and had a clear case of the N+1 bug. Very happy I hadn't sold off all my spare pieces.

I'd say, build up the mixte for your wife and see if she likes it better than the tank she's riding now. I bet she will. If she doesn't like it, wait til spring and sell it.

Few of us consider logical implications when deciding to build a bike.
Perhaps a compulsion, maybe an obsession, not for us to decide why, I guess.

I should, but rarely consider:
1-Do I need another bike?
2-Do I have the space?
3-What can I do with the money from the parts?
4-What can others do if I simply give away the parts?

Rather, I'm like a puppy after a spider.
Pant Pant
Build Build

I'll try to change that somewhat in '16.
Therefore, you have to make a decision soon, before you trip over a frame and you're off the wagon, again.

I am a parts hoarder. If you don't need the money and you aren't trying to fund a new project, my rec would be to just hang on to the parts. It's nice to have a spare if something breaks or goes bad. Flip side of that is if you sell the parts, it can feel real good to know your current rides cost you that much less.

Yes. I. Am.

I even made a silly display for some parts.




I like the look of some bike parts- I like swapping stuff around. Seeing what I like at any given time. I also have a small stash of NOS stuff for that "someday" bike.

I have a large stash of spare parts and, at the moment, have no plans for another build in the near future. I enjoy building bikes though, and just yesterday bought a nice, new repair stand. I'm also retired and have plenty of space for the parts, if not another bike or two. What I'm driving at here is that once there is a stash of parts, it begs for a bike to be built. It is a very easy thing to suddenly have enough parts around for several builds, none of which are likely to come to fruition. i am in a market which has no flipping action at all, or I might go that route.

Y'know...that would look really cool with one long chain wrapped around all the pulleys...

Hi, my name is Gugie, and I'm a bikeaholic.

I like parts. Someone is always looking for a part (at least around this forum). They are great gifts, barter, and $$.

Yeah I agree. If I had the room I'd keep a ton of spare parts. They come in handy for builds, broken replacements, etc.

I watch the in-search-of threads and give my stuff away or sell my stuff cheap to the requesters.

[MENTION=47261]bus[/MENTION]diver1959 - Like your suggestion. Hopefully the 980 RD will work with index shifting on upright bars. I've always thought that a nice simple mixte would be kind of cool.

What kind of crazy question is that?

Hi folks,

Thanks for the inputs. They help confirm that I need do a build if for no other reason than to keep me out of trouble.

Regards,

So you came here looking for advice on how best to get rid of some extra gear and you have been gently prodded into building another bike?

I'm not sure if this calls for a group hug or beer all around, so you get one of each,

.
...alcoholics who go into bars asking for advice puzzle the hell out of me.

I tend to keep the mid level stuff for builds and sell off the high end stuff to subsidize my builds. Usually comes out pretty well. Most of the mid level stuff performs almost as good as the really nice stuff, so for most bikes it works out well. Most of my builds are low profit flips not super high end keepers

I'm with the crowd... build up a bike if you enjoy the process, but economics favor selling the individual parts. And unless you enjoy collecting parts just for the fun of collecting, I'd sell them - I adhere to the old adage when it comes to selling stuff, you should sell unless you would turn around today and buy the stuff for what you could get for it if you sold. Makes life a lot less cluttered and keeps me from renting storage units like half the US population. I also adhere to the adage that at some point, you don't own stuff, it owns you.

- Mark

OK, you got me! Actually, I just wanted a bit of support to convince the dear wife of many years that these are worthwhile projects.

Cheers,