albrt 

To clarify, the proposed new forum would be for people who are involved in co-ops to talk about starting and running co-ops. I'm only mentioning it here so people can go to the Forum Suggestions post if they are interested in that sort of thing.

The proposed new forum is not intended as a venue to post about available bikes - I agree that a thread like this one belongs here and should be limited to C&V bikes.

Dirt Road Blues 

Sad that we no longer have a co-op here in Eugene.

C.A.T. (Center for Appropriate Transportation) was a fantastic place that met the needs of so many cyclists of every type. All the tools. All the parts. All the shared knowledge and experience. And a sliding scale price list for just about everything except membership and new retail items.

Folks could purchase their first bike, or aquire the items, direction, or skills they needed to keep a bike on the road. The people who truly benefited the most, I believe, were those who couldn't afford the conventional market.

Rummaging through donations, I'd almost always find what I was looking for, or else a worthy alternative. It could be a single chainring bolt or a campy wheelset. Didn't matter. Sometimes I'd happen upon a real surprise treasure at the bottom of a greasy bin or two as well.

C.A.T closed its doors at the onset of the peak of the pandemic only to never reopen. And since then, I believe that bike culture in Eugene has had to endure a certain struggle we hadn't previously known.

If I was able to turn that around for us, I'd love nothing more.

EVlove

I dropped off a nice large aluminum basket at "my" co-op today that we must have picked up at a yard sale ages ago, I honestly don't remember, but it never did fit any of our bikes right. Anyway, gifting an empty basket is poor style, so I stuffed it with some shop towels, nitrile gloves, a 4-pack of 26" inner tubes, etc. from Walmart, and topped it off with a gift card from the bakery/sandwich place around the corner from the co-op. Went over really well

It was pretty quiet so I got to chat with the guy who runs the place, mostly about the glut of mostly steel, mostly C&V, mostly road bikes that they have a hard time moving:

This shows maybe half of what they have in the back, after less than two years (over 1,500 bikes distributed in that time). Lots of heavy old "ten speeds" of course, but I spotted a Dawes and a Mercier, both from the 70s I think, plenty of Raleighs, Peugeot, Motobecane, a good deal of quality Japanese names (Panasonic, Univega, Bridgestone, Miyata, Fuji), and there's a LeMond Croix en Fer with a busted headset in there, as well. My size, too, but just too modern for me. Also a lovely Scapin frame someone had stripped and rattle-canned for the co-op, I forget now what the ultimate plan was for that. I found it impossible to take better pictures, crammed as the bikes are in there.

We were bouncing ideas off each other what to do with them. At the moment they are just selling to a few local flippers, and hoping for guys like me to stumble in every once in a while I guess (my Lotus is from there). One idea was to convert a few nice ones to SS, paint and sticker them as their own "brand" and maybe get local chain bike stores to carry them. I could only offer vague encouragement on that plan as I honestly have no idea of the economics involved.

I don't get there very often, it's not really convenient to get to and I'm pretty much set for bikes and parts for the winter, but I could snoop around more if there is interest.

Lastly, this one is for sale, not cheap (don't want to break forum rules here, not my sale and I'm also not a full member). Not my size, anyway, but also very much not my pay grade.

albrt 

Man, that's a lotta bikes!

We probably get ten bikes donated a week, and we couldn't handle much more than that. We have to keep processing them because we don't have the space to let them pile up. Steel bikes sell reasonably well if they're priced right.

The thing that bothers me is that we can't find good homes locally for the more unusual or collectible stuff. I can build up that Follis and sell it for $150, but I'll need to put at least $70 into it for tires, tubes, etc. Then it will get ridden as a beater and left in the back yard until it rusts away or is stolen.

thumpism 

Well, it looks like our co-op is on its way out. I stopped by today for a look around the exterior since the staff is not reliably there during posted hours. I don't need anything so don't need the temptation to look inside, but it looked like everything is now outside. Back when I started this thread it was to showcase the interesting bits at Rag and Bones, none of which matched some of the things you folks have posted, but there was some curious stuff. Now it appears they lost their lease and just shoved everything outside. Posting these as a likely farewell to the place. These are the ones I would bring home if I completely lost my mind. You'd understand if you could see the crammed garage and the house undergoing a major kitchen remodel that miraculously is affecting every single room in the structure.

Don't need a third Sports in the house but this one is from a local shop back when they were the "other guys" in town.


Here's a Sears (probably Puch) 3-speed. Don't need it either but it's mostly there.


Turista bones are always tempting. I've had several of these over the years but always pass them on to new homes. Someone stuck a wrong size QR front wheel on it and other stuff is missing.


Nice little Sturmeyed Breeze is missing only a seat and would serve someone well.


And they FINALLY have a decent frame in my size, a 531 Trek that I should grab on principle but which would not suit my current riding and would never be my future riding. Never. I'm past racy bikes and even past sporty ones.


So this might be my last bikes report from the place, but I did get some pix of parts to follow this post.

thumpism 

My parts lust could still take a beating if I go back to the place.

Here's something I've never owned and could continue to live without but which I've considered buying for myself in the past, a Yakima four-bike swingaway receiver hitch rack. You just never know when you'll need one. That floor pump might come in handy, too.


Nifty American Classic cassette hub with 571mm Sun rim. Certainly oddball but cool.


And this Dynamic shaft-drive thing. It has a Nexus rear hub and shifter that I'd love to have if I could find the chain drive pieces to make it work on my own bikes. Also has a 700C fork.


Lots of bars, including a couple of wide, shallow dirt drops that might do well on the Cimarron or the Marin I don't ride.


Plenty of derailleurs, and brakes, and cranks, and a big box of cycling shoes of various types.


Anyway, I could probably find space for some of these things but it will be a test of my resolve to resist. Nice to know I'm still tempted.

Let me stress that I do not know the plans for the disposal of this stuff but I can probably find someone to ask.

EVlove

That does look terminal... Dislike

Haven't been back to my co-op but they just had their holiday kiddie bikes giveaway and it was a big success, with a large turnout of both clients and volunteers. Total of 1,436 bikes distributed this year. Later tonight our local ABC affiliate will be running a segment about them, I'll add a link once available.

Smokinapankake

Spotted these at my local collective a little while back:




Both were too small for me; otherwise they would both have come home with me.

2cam16

So sad about that co-op. Hope someone can save most of those.

AdventureManCO 

About a week ago I learned that Ernie, who ran the Second Chance Bike Shop here in the Aurora, CO area, sadly passed. I believe his daughter is still trying to sort things out and keep it going, however they took a big blow when they lost their lease, I think back in October. That is where I got my '73 Super Course from. I hadn't had a chance to go in a long while because they always closed before I got off work. There have been a few articles about them, about the closure, and about Ernie's passing. I don't know if they have found a permanent home, or what they did with their stash of bikes...I think a facebook posting mentioned they have a temp storage until Jan 15. A few years ago they probably easily had 100+ 70s, 80s, and 90s road bikes in the back under tarps. They may have been trying to sell them off via the local ads (I recall picking up a Multitrack 750 a couple years ago from a guy that was sort of like their shop manager, and I think he had some plans for all those bikes).

Seems like a lot of co-ops are struggling right now. I wonder if the e-bike movement is causing a lot of issues w/ an overflow of donations and not as many people buying...speculation and this point, but on my mind.

downtube42

The Bike Farm in Portland seems to be going strong. They're only open two nights a week due to volunteer availability, but it was busy when i stopped by a couple weeks ago. I was looking for a frame upgrade for my fixed gear - something with fender lugs. This Super Course was my size, but didn't strike me. There was a red Le Tour I fancied, but no fork. I'll be back.

Robvolz 

Message me next time your headed in to the Bike Farm

ill show you the secret stash

EVlove

Lowell Bike Connector content begins at 2:20.

And that basket on the Ukrainian lady's bike at around 4:20 looks mighty familiar. I believe that's our donation

Even in these short snippets I think you get a real sense of Wade's personality. A real passion for bringing bikes to people in need and making an immediate difference in their lives.

Iniezione 

I was there a few months ago and someone working there told me they were headed to a new location in December. I’m not local so I don’t go very often. Perhaps plans have changed, or the move is going to progress.

Trakhak

One of the posts above reminded me of the time a bike shop I worked for in New Haven in the early 1970s lost its lease.

What I learned then: anyone running a conventional bike business or a co-op in a leased location should read the lease agreement carefully. Turned out the lease for that bike shop included a buried clause stating that if the lessee intends to remain in the leased location, the lessee must notify the lessor to that effect at least 60 days before the end date of the lease.

thumpism 

After my post I went to the co-op's website and learned that they are indeed moving to a space about a third of the way closer to my place, making future visits a little easier. I plan to go by the new location but have been busy. I was trying to find out how to buy some of that stuff they left outside but have not heard back yet. I'll keep you all posted.

thumpism 

Couldn't resist after hearing back from the co-op lady who said to help myself. I need to make a contribution in appreciation of their generosity. Another guy was there today and he was picking up a few things for his bike. I got the Yakima rack and the Raleigh and, yes, the Trek frameset. Also the Nexus wheel and shifter/cable and a few odd pieces.

No space for this stuff, no time to mess with it and no need for any of it. Ah, still got the old touch.

thumpism 

Forgot to mention finding these in the bins outside last visit. I did not bring these home; the Lambert caliper was a single...


...and the Huffy-branded panniers (never imagined these might exist--who knew?) had the straps and buckles cut up. I already have an early set of orange Kangaroo Baggs that sling over as these do and which are in slightly better shape, so the temptation to grab these was diminished.

gil_00000

This one's been hanging in the back with my name on it, literally, for years now. We've been going over the back stock and it yesterday was the day! As a volunteer they politely asked me to jump if I was feeling froggy.

I believe it's a 1975 or '76 Campania 'The Ace.' I can't find anything on this particular model. Any information is very welcome! I'm pretty psyched for the first gen Dura Ace Black parts. It's not a complete group but I'm much closer. Black edition hubs, bottom bracket, crankset and downtube shifter. First gen, non-black Dura Ace brake levers. The derailleurs seem to be original, or at the very least they're both from the correct year range. The Suntour rear derailleur is from 1975 and the front Huret derailleur appears to be from 75 as well. I wasn't able to see a date code on the front derailleur.

1975/'76 Campania 'The Ace'

juvela

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made by Fuji

member noobinsf shall be able to fill you in

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cyccommute 

A near original 1997 Schwinn Homegrown LXT came into my shop recently. White Industries crank (original), XT shifters and derailers, and both a Homegrown embroidered saddle (needs some work) and original Tomato stem cap. It’s on my project list to refurb and I’d love to find a home for it.

AdventureManCO 

My first bike I purchased out on my own was a '98 Schwinn Homegrown XT, made by Anodizing Inc. Awesome bike, and took me on many adventures. Currently have a ('96?) Homegrown built up from a reject frame from the same manufacturer. Frame is in the raw, and found it in the scrap pile at a co-op years ago. Fixed it, and built it up...will a donor bike that had full (old) XTR. These are wonderful bikes, and at/near the top of the food chain back in the late 90s. I hope you find a buyer who will appreciate that bike for how good it is.

AdventureManCO 

So I stopped by the local Denver co-op (Bikes Together) and had a nice talk with the person who runs things. The do have some really nice bikes, and are trying to free up some room. The 'refurbed' bikes have been moving slow, and are probably ready to make some good deals. Here are a few that caught my interest. They said they are really needing some good bike sales right now.

Hollands with a mish-mash of med-end components. I think this one was $449.






Not sure how rare/interesting the 'Sampson' brand is, but they had a good looking one -




The real gem of the day was this pristine Colnago. Not sure it was a Master, Super, or something else. Size is small - probably around 49/50cm. It has been there for 8 months. They said they used to have it up front, and got several interested people to ride it who were not expecting the aggressive race geometry. It is now hidden in the back. Priced at $699. If someone walked in and offered cash today, they might be able to get it lower.




They also had what looked like a really nice late 80s/early 90s Marnati (I think), probably around the $500 pricepoint.

velomateo

^^^^
That Hollands is sweet.

velomateo

[QUOTE=gil_00000;22770542]

/QUOTE]
What headset is that? Van Nuys California is just down the road from me.