At the co-op
06-15-24 | 04:29 PM
#476
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 4,203
Likes: 2,950
I’ve been to sharing wheels. They wouldn’t sell me a bunch of stuff. One of the reasons was because I wasn’t one of the regulars that would normally buy those types of items. In fact I was to buy a colnago and they wouldn’t sell, they were to get back to me about it, I got crickets in return. Volunteer organizers, no biggie. If the finer stuff sits it’s priced to high.
I did get a PX10 there, the director sold it to me. The PX was there for more than 3 years, according to the director, yes 3 years. Never was it presented for sale rebuilt or as-is.
I did get a PX10 there, the director sold it to me. The PX was there for more than 3 years, according to the director, yes 3 years. Never was it presented for sale rebuilt or as-is.
06-15-24 | 04:56 PM
#477
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,288
Likes: 4,243
From: The Le Grande HQ
Bikes: Gängl, Trek 938, Raleigh Professional, Paramount, Allez, Guerciotti, Specialized Stumpjumper, Trek 750, Miyata 1000 < Huffy
I encountered this attitude quite often. You get it for free, the customer expects you to sell it for free. Like, I didn't have expenses like feeding myself or rent or electricity.
All in, the break even point was $500/day, 5 days/week, however the shop got there.
What people often fail to realize is the amount of time, labor, or materials that went into each and every single bike. A complete and total overhau and replacement of worn pads/cables, etc...at other local Bikeshops is around $300. Our Co-Op gave every bike the same treatment and a bike too for an average price of around $200-225.
We had a dozen regular volunteers and could hardly keep bikes in stock. The problem is that for every $400 Olmo Corsica or $300 Windsor Carrera Sport with $350 worth of Phil hubs, or un-ridden Peugeot or Merz Allez that came in taking up retail space, we had a dozen Treks or Bridgestones MB4's or CB's or other early '90's mountain bikes that would sell instead. The high priced nice bikes simply sat giving the wrong impression because everything cheaper sold first.
Simply managing and disposing of the onslaught of BSO's and Bike Boom garbage in and of itself was a full time job. Let alone inventory recovery of anything even remotely valuable or salvageable for bike repair.
Maybe you should get involved in actually running a Co-Op before you pass judgement on how/why the prices are what they are. I lasted 2 years. Making magic from nothing is hard work.
Here's me on the local station. I'm in the green shirt.
https://www.fox13seattle.com/video/1111188
All in, the break even point was $500/day, 5 days/week, however the shop got there.
What people often fail to realize is the amount of time, labor, or materials that went into each and every single bike. A complete and total overhau and replacement of worn pads/cables, etc...at other local Bikeshops is around $300. Our Co-Op gave every bike the same treatment and a bike too for an average price of around $200-225.
We had a dozen regular volunteers and could hardly keep bikes in stock. The problem is that for every $400 Olmo Corsica or $300 Windsor Carrera Sport with $350 worth of Phil hubs, or un-ridden Peugeot or Merz Allez that came in taking up retail space, we had a dozen Treks or Bridgestones MB4's or CB's or other early '90's mountain bikes that would sell instead. The high priced nice bikes simply sat giving the wrong impression because everything cheaper sold first.
Simply managing and disposing of the onslaught of BSO's and Bike Boom garbage in and of itself was a full time job. Let alone inventory recovery of anything even remotely valuable or salvageable for bike repair.
Maybe you should get involved in actually running a Co-Op before you pass judgement on how/why the prices are what they are. I lasted 2 years. Making magic from nothing is hard work.
Here's me on the local station. I'm in the green shirt.
https://www.fox13seattle.com/video/1111188
Thank you for all your hard work - I'm glad we have such passionate people in this world
EDIT: watched the vid - you seem like a really cool dude!
Last edited by AdventureManCO; 06-15-24 at 05:00 PM.
06-15-24 | 09:51 PM
#478
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 3,379
Likes: 2,020
From: Pacific Northwest
Bikes: Yes.
I’ve been to sharing wheels. They wouldn’t sell me a bunch of stuff. One of the reasons was because I wasn’t one of the regulars that would normally buy those types of items. In fact I was to buy a colnago and they wouldn’t sell, they were to get back to me about it, I got crickets in return. Volunteer organizers, no biggie. If the finer stuff sits it’s priced to high.
I did get a PX10 there, the director sold it to me. The PX was there for more than 3 years, according to the director, yes 3 years. Never was it presented for sale rebuilt or as-is.
I did get a PX10 there, the director sold it to me. The PX was there for more than 3 years, according to the director, yes 3 years. Never was it presented for sale rebuilt or as-is.
I was never so happy as the day I finally made it through repairing the last bike that guy had anything to do with. How his mechanical skills didn't get somebody killed or us sued, I'll never know.
I'm sorry you had that experience. On behalf of the org, I'd like to apologize. That kind of treatment and/or refusing to sell to a willing buyer is unacceptable.
The current manager is an ex-elementary school principal. He doesn't know bikes. But he does know people. I'm sure you'll get much better treatment if you are willing to give them another shot.
Last edited by base2; 06-15-24 at 09:58 PM.
06-16-24 | 12:11 PM
#479
-----
Mr. 66 -
do you know what years the yellow/orange/red/black Nerozzi transfers in you posted image were in use?
asking because have not seen them previously
---
unworthy1 -
suspect gentleman shown in the race finish photo you posted be Ted Ernst, Senior
the Ted Ernst (Il Grillo) who be yet with us methimks be Ted Ernst Junior
-----
Mr. 66 -
do you know what years the yellow/orange/red/black Nerozzi transfers in you posted image were in use?
asking because have not seen them previously
---
unworthy1 -
suspect gentleman shown in the race finish photo you posted be Ted Ernst, Senior
the Ted Ernst (Il Grillo) who be yet with us methimks be Ted Ernst Junior
-----
06-16-24 | 01:14 PM
#480
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 15,369
Likes: 4,393
From: Alta California
No the photo is dated 1950 so has to be the currently alive but a senior 90-plus years old Ted Ernst, not his dad (who had the same name). Ray G. died in 1996 AFAIK so was approx the same general age as this Ted-the-younger, who lives around Palos Verde Estates, I believe. His bike shop was in Manhattan Beach which he sold to his long-time mechanic Manny
thank you!
recall visiting the Manhattan Beach location, must be more 'n twenty year in the rearview mirror now
Ted helped to identify an unknown I had taken in as a Sieber
Machine ended up going to R. Brian Baylis, he said he wanted it for his wife, it was a distaffer
-----
06-26-24 | 12:10 PM
#481
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 3,975
Likes: 3,995
From: Pac NW
Bikes: several Eddy Merz (ride like Eddy, braze like Jim!)
Man came in w 2 pristine bikes. These were his wife’s.
stumper:
Tossed the hated RD with the big top pulley that grabbed dirt.
stumper:
Tossed the hated RD with the big top pulley that grabbed dirt.
__________________
"Leave the gun. Take the Colnagos."
"Leave the gun. Take the Colnagos."
06-26-24 | 08:48 PM
#485
Happy banana slug
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 4,574
Likes: 2,530
From: Arcata, California, U.S., North America, Earth, Saggitarius Arm, Milky Way
Bikes: 1984 Araya MB 26L, 1992 Specialized Rockhopper Sport, 1993 Hard Rock Ultra, 1994 Trek Multitrack 750, 1995 Trek Singletrack 930
That Stumpy... 
Is it warm in here, or is it me? 
Is it warm in here, or is it me?
06-26-24 | 09:14 PM
#486
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 3,975
Likes: 3,995
From: Pac NW
Bikes: several Eddy Merz (ride like Eddy, braze like Jim!)
Stumpy, $700
Univega, haven't figured a price yet. Open to suggestions. Message me and I'll present the offer.
Univega, haven't figured a price yet. Open to suggestions. Message me and I'll present the offer.
__________________
"Leave the gun. Take the Colnagos."
"Leave the gun. Take the Colnagos."
06-26-24 | 09:19 PM
#487
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 3,975
Likes: 3,995
From: Pac NW
Bikes: several Eddy Merz (ride like Eddy, braze like Jim!)
he said his wife said "no new bikes unless he gave up two."
So he gave up hers.
__________________
"Leave the gun. Take the Colnagos."
"Leave the gun. Take the Colnagos."
06-26-24 | 10:26 PM
#488
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 16,201
Likes: 9,590
From: PDX
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
See here.
https://duckduckgo.com/?t=ffab&q=Tom...v%3D1710056175
Last edited by merziac; 06-27-24 at 09:44 AM.
07-10-24 | 12:19 PM
#489
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 3,975
Likes: 3,995
From: Pac NW
Bikes: several Eddy Merz (ride like Eddy, braze like Jim!)
How is this size 48 (seat tube) 51 (top tube) Sequoia still here?
they lowered the price to $450 with racks/bags or $375 without.
NW Hub, Salem Oregon
The packs are really nice
Huret
Blackburn racks
The h-bar bag is perfect. Not even yellowed or cracked!!
they lowered the price to $450 with racks/bags or $375 without.
NW Hub, Salem Oregon
The packs are really nice
Huret
Blackburn racks
The h-bar bag is perfect. Not even yellowed or cracked!!
__________________
"Leave the gun. Take the Colnagos."
"Leave the gun. Take the Colnagos."
07-10-24 | 12:43 PM
#490
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2023
Posts: 38
Likes: 13
I
Simply managing and disposing of the onslaught of BSO's and Bike Boom garbage in and of itself was a full time job. Let alone inventory recovery of anything even remotely valuable or salvageable for bike repair.
Maybe you should get involved in actually running a Co-Op before you pass judgement on how/why the prices are what they are. I lasted 2 years. Making magic from nothing is hard work.
Here's me on the local station. I'm in the green shirt.
https://www.fox13seattle.com/video/1111188
Simply managing and disposing of the onslaught of BSO's and Bike Boom garbage in and of itself was a full time job. Let alone inventory recovery of anything even remotely valuable or salvageable for bike repair.
Maybe you should get involved in actually running a Co-Op before you pass judgement on how/why the prices are what they are. I lasted 2 years. Making magic from nothing is hard work.
Here's me on the local station. I'm in the green shirt.
https://www.fox13seattle.com/video/1111188
When the inventory guy at the T-town coop got a sweet state job it was a sad day. He did such a great job of keeping "types separated"
1. Fancy case items
2. Bin Items
3. Parts for bike referb
4. Priced used Items
5. New Items
He just made it happen during covid.
Now when you pull something out of a bin they want to price it on the spot.... le sigh. The old big wooden windowed case is now a tiny unsorted mishmash.
07-28-24 | 11:05 AM
#493
08-13-24 | 04:22 PM
#494
Senior Member
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 3,986
Likes: 3,230
From: Bloomington, IN
Bikes: Paramount, Faggin, Ochsner, Rossin, Ciocc
Yesterday was a good one at the co-op for me. I found a vintage cycling item that came from our friends at Vetta during the early 1980's. The Vetta cycling box. A cool plastic box that mounted on a rack and held personal items. Also lock-able so things would stay safe. A picture as found, with a few goodies inside.
The box as found. The co-op folks thought it was a piece of junk and were going to toss it out.
What was inside the Vetta Box; a NOS front derailleur, a complete NOS bottom bracket, a pair of levers, two tubes and a couple of bells.
And they were going to throw it away! The box had one key for the lock and some attaching hardware. A trip to the locksmiths and a second key now makes it even better! And it only cost $3 after 15 minutes of work to make the key fit correctly. Smiles, MH
The box as found. The co-op folks thought it was a piece of junk and were going to toss it out.
What was inside the Vetta Box; a NOS front derailleur, a complete NOS bottom bracket, a pair of levers, two tubes and a couple of bells.
And they were going to throw it away! The box had one key for the lock and some attaching hardware. A trip to the locksmiths and a second key now makes it even better! And it only cost $3 after 15 minutes of work to make the key fit correctly. Smiles, MH
08-13-24 | 04:35 PM
#495
Cantilever believer
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 3,205
Likes: 4,967
From: Phoenix, AZ
Yesterday was a good one at the co-op for me. I found a vintage cycling item that came from our friends at Vetta during the early 1980's. The Vetta cycling box. A cool plastic box that mounted on a rack and held personal items. Also lock-able so things would stay safe. A picture as found, with a few goodies inside.
The box as found. The co-op folks thought it was a piece of junk and were going to toss it out.
What was inside the Vetta Box; a NOS front derailleur, a complete NOS bottom bracket, a pair of levers, two tubes and a couple of bells.
And they were going to throw it away! The box had one key for the lock and some attaching hardware. A trip to the locksmiths and a second key now makes it even better! And it only cost $3 after 15 minutes of work to make the key fit correctly. Smiles, MH
The box as found. The co-op folks thought it was a piece of junk and were going to toss it out.
What was inside the Vetta Box; a NOS front derailleur, a complete NOS bottom bracket, a pair of levers, two tubes and a couple of bells.
And they were going to throw it away! The box had one key for the lock and some attaching hardware. A trip to the locksmiths and a second key now makes it even better! And it only cost $3 after 15 minutes of work to make the key fit correctly. Smiles, MH
I used to have one of those. Great concept, loud execution. Even with a secure fastening to the rack, tape, weatherstripping, and an interior liner, that thing rattled worse than an ornery snake surrounded by hungry wildcats. I eventually passed it on to someone else. I can't blame all my permanent hearing loss on the Vetta box, but...
__________________
Richard C. Moeur, PE - Phoenix AZ, USA
https://www.richardcmoeur.com/bikestuf.html
Richard C. Moeur, PE - Phoenix AZ, USA
https://www.richardcmoeur.com/bikestuf.html
08-17-24 | 09:43 PM
#496
Senior Member
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 971
Likes: 745
From: Santa Rosa, CA
Bikes: Bianchi Campione d'Italia, Lemond Poprad, Kona Hei Hei (converted to drop bars), Felt F1PR, Specialized Sequoia, various other projects
^ maybe cut out a section of closed-cell foam to add more padding to the bottom of the box?
08-17-24 | 10:45 PM
#497
Cantilever believer
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 3,205
Likes: 4,967
From: Phoenix, AZ
The lid contacting the base caused a lot of the rattle on the ones I had, and it's not easy to address with tape or weatherstripping.
__________________
Richard C. Moeur, PE - Phoenix AZ, USA
https://www.richardcmoeur.com/bikestuf.html
Richard C. Moeur, PE - Phoenix AZ, USA
https://www.richardcmoeur.com/bikestuf.html
08-18-24 | 08:26 AM
#498
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,075
Likes: 2,173
From: NW Ohio
Bikes: 1984 Miyata 310, 1986 Schwinn Sierra, 1987 Ross Mt. Hood, 1988 Schwinn LeTour, 1988 Trek 400T, 1981 Fuji S12-1977 Univega Grand Rally, S LTD, 1973 Sears Free Spirit 531, 197? FW Evans
Great score!
I used to have one of those. Great concept, loud execution. Even with a secure fastening to the rack, tape, weatherstripping, and an interior liner, that thing rattled worse than an ornery snake surrounded by hungry wildcats. I eventually passed it on to someone else. I can't blame all my permanent hearing loss on the Vetta box, but...
I used to have one of those. Great concept, loud execution. Even with a secure fastening to the rack, tape, weatherstripping, and an interior liner, that thing rattled worse than an ornery snake surrounded by hungry wildcats. I eventually passed it on to someone else. I can't blame all my permanent hearing loss on the Vetta box, but...
08-18-24 | 09:19 AM
#499
Fuji Fan
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,887
Likes: 338
From: Central IL
Bikes: Was Fuji and got my grails (Pro, Pro SR, Design Series, & Ti). Now I hunt 50's/60's road bikes.
I have to admit that I am a bit jealous of some of the co-ops posted here. While I am thrilled to have Working Bikes in Chicago, I struggle to find anything I ever need when I go there. I do usually find something to buy, but in all of my trips there, I have never found what I went there to look for. For example, I am looking for some bolt-on wheels in 700c with alloy clincher rims. When I go in, all I ever see are mismatch wheels, and nothing but the cheapest derailleurs/brakes. I'm not opposed to paying a fair market value for items, but I suspect they get stripped out by resellers who take the better items to Ebay.
I've been to one of the co-ops up in Minneapolis once and was very impressed that they have a section with nicer parts at fair prices, just a little below Ebay prices. I so wish we had that locally.
I've been to one of the co-ops up in Minneapolis once and was very impressed that they have a section with nicer parts at fair prices, just a little below Ebay prices. I so wish we had that locally.
Last edited by beech333; 08-18-24 at 09:28 AM.
08-18-24 | 09:24 AM
#500
Senior Member
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 3,986
Likes: 3,230
From: Bloomington, IN
Bikes: Paramount, Faggin, Ochsner, Rossin, Ciocc
RCMoeur
I got this single crank arm last visit to the co-op. Maybe it should go somewhere else rather than riding around in the Vetta box. So as always, free for cost of shipping. PM me.
The co-op guy though I might have a need for it, but it doesn't say Campy or match anything here in the shop.
I got this single crank arm last visit to the co-op. Maybe it should go somewhere else rather than riding around in the Vetta box. So as always, free for cost of shipping. PM me.
The co-op guy though I might have a need for it, but it doesn't say Campy or match anything here in the shop.