Thoughts on N-1
10-17-18 | 03:39 AM
#26
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 12,567
Likes: 2,740
From: Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada - burrrrr!
Bikes: 1958 Rabeneick 120D, 1968 Legnano Gran Premio, 196? Torpado Professional, 2000 Marinoni Piuma
What is this "selling of the bike" of which you speak?
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"98% of the bikes I buy are projects".
"98% of the bikes I buy are projects".
10-17-18 | 03:52 AM
#27
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,406
Likes: 107
From: Dayton, Ohio
Bikes: Trek 720, Trek 620, Trek 520, Steel Schwinns, AD Puch, Kona, Nishiki Pro, All City Disc Spacehorse, Waterford
N + 1
I am working my way into the philosophy that bikes are made to be ridden.
I have sold bikes I don't or can't ride anymore (they don't fit no matter how much I wanted them to fit). I have three nice C&V bikes on loan to folks I hope catch the cycling bug. So far I'm batting .333.
THE PROBLEM IS I SEE A BIKE AND BUY IT. So the +1's outpace the -1's....and I have the market cornered on 24" grey Treks.....
Anyone want to buy some bikes????
I have sold bikes I don't or can't ride anymore (they don't fit no matter how much I wanted them to fit). I have three nice C&V bikes on loan to folks I hope catch the cycling bug. So far I'm batting .333.
THE PROBLEM IS I SEE A BIKE AND BUY IT. So the +1's outpace the -1's....and I have the market cornered on 24" grey Treks.....
Anyone want to buy some bikes????
10-17-18 | 04:27 AM
#28
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,328
Likes: 525
From: Dublin, Ireland
Bikes: Bianchi Ti Megatube; Colnago Competition; Planet-X EC-130E; Klein Pulse; Amp Research B4; Litespeed Catalyst; Trek Y11
I was watching some TV show, might've been American Pickers - I think they were featuring an Elvis memorabilia collector in this case - and he said something quite prescient: "Owning is only a part of collecting cool stuff. Selling it, and letting someone else enjoy it, is also part of it. Otherwise we'd all just be hoarders."
There will come a time when I will sell bikes. Just not now.
There will come a time when I will sell bikes. Just not now.
10-17-18 | 06:34 AM
#29
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,085
Likes: 95
From: Central California
Bikes: 2001 LeMond Nevada City, ‘92 Merlin Titanium, '84 Torpado Super Strada, ‘84 Schwinn Tempo, '81 Bianchi Limites, '73 Raleigh Supercourse
Well, my “stable” is complete (for me). I have 4 built and 2 frames. I just sold the grupo off of one (hope you are enjoying it). But I have decided that these 4 are all keepers. They all have a story, a use, and will not be leaving. The frames probably won’t go anywhere either, as it seems that frames are not terribly valuable and I would rather keep them than give them away...they too have a story. So I guess I am just at n.
10-17-18 | 07:17 AM
#30
I never finish anyth
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,114
Likes: 137
From: Western KY
Bikes: 2008 Merckx LXM, 2003 Giant XTC mtb, 2001 Lemond Alpe d'Huez, 1997 Lemond Zurich, 1989 Cannondale ST, 1988 Masi Nuovo Strada, 1983 Pinarello Turismo
There's no N-1 here, I'm actually at N+3 for the year, and 2 framesets will be listed soon. Does listing a frameset count as N-1? Not sure on that. Does buying a frameset count as N+1? Not sure on that one either.
For some reason, I found some small framed bikes this year that have been scarce in past years. My favorite is a 1983 Piinarello, which is in the middle of a rebuild right now. Definitely a keeper. A 1989 Cannondale ST600, a keeper as well. And a 198? Masi Nuovo Strada, likely to be a keeper too, but the rebuild has barely begun on it.
For some reason, I found some small framed bikes this year that have been scarce in past years. My favorite is a 1983 Piinarello, which is in the middle of a rebuild right now. Definitely a keeper. A 1989 Cannondale ST600, a keeper as well. And a 198? Masi Nuovo Strada, likely to be a keeper too, but the rebuild has barely begun on it.
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Dale, NL4T
Dale, NL4T
10-17-18 | 08:38 AM
#31
Thrifty Bill
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,645
Likes: 1,109
From: Mans of NC & SW UT Desert
Bikes: 86 Katakura Silk, 87 Prologue X2, 88 Cimarron LE, 1975 Sekai 4000 Professional, 73 Paramount, plus more
Every couple of years I find its time to prune back my "keeper fleet". I've sold many keepers during those prune times. It now is time to do it again. Over time, I get overlap with very similar bikes.
There are some keepers that I won't let go: my 1974 Paramount, my 1986 chrome Katakura Silk, my two 1987 Prologues, my Dean World Tour (1988+/-), and my 1988 Cimarron LE drop bar conversion. Everything else is on the needs to go list.
As far as selling frames being "cheating", I've sold a lot of frames, and sell the parts later. Easier to pack and sell a frame, and many times, the parts aren't original. I have sold a few frames where the buyer contacted me later for parts, so then I sold them a "build kit".
There are some keepers that I won't let go: my 1974 Paramount, my 1986 chrome Katakura Silk, my two 1987 Prologues, my Dean World Tour (1988+/-), and my 1988 Cimarron LE drop bar conversion. Everything else is on the needs to go list.
As far as selling frames being "cheating", I've sold a lot of frames, and sell the parts later. Easier to pack and sell a frame, and many times, the parts aren't original. I have sold a few frames where the buyer contacted me later for parts, so then I sold them a "build kit".
Last edited by wrk101; 10-17-18 at 08:41 AM.
10-17-18 | 01:51 PM
#32
aka Tom Reingold
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,302
Likes: 6,559
From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
What size is it?
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
10-17-18 | 02:30 PM
#34
aka Tom Reingold
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,302
Likes: 6,559
From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
A forum member was buying and selling a fair bit and then remarked that he ended up building each one like the others, so he stopped. There's a lesson in that for me.
I try to convince myself that each different bike has a distinct purpose. That helps me justify owning several.
Since I can develop an appreciation for each bike's unique properties, I know I can become an obsessive collector. That's why I haven't bought any bikes recently. I'm afraid that a bike I didn't need before becomes something I can't live without.
I try to convince myself that each different bike has a distinct purpose. That helps me justify owning several.
Since I can develop an appreciation for each bike's unique properties, I know I can become an obsessive collector. That's why I haven't bought any bikes recently. I'm afraid that a bike I didn't need before becomes something I can't live without.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
10-17-18 | 02:31 PM
#35
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 11,495
Likes: 4,912
From: San Jose (Willow Glen) Ca
Bikes: Kirk Custom JK Special, 86 De Rosa Pro, '84 Team Miyata,(dura ace old school) 80?? SR Semi-Pro 600 Arabesque
I just did N+1 and will soon do N-1 with my torpado, as I try to keep the fleet at 3. the torpado overlaps 2 of my keepers (it is italian so is the de Rosa, de rosa wins, torpado is also eroica qualified....so is (or will soon be the '84 team Miyata, Miyata wins)
I was given the torpado by the head of a local bike charity and I have reached out to him to see if there is a deserving volunteer or other person to pay this forward to. Karma. worst case I will sell and give proceeds to the charity.
as to OP conundrum. If your have the space keep the bikes your want, if you are on the fence nothing wrong about setting a can't refuse to seel if I get it price, as long as you don't look back with regret. Looking back with good memories and fondnest is ok
I was given the torpado by the head of a local bike charity and I have reached out to him to see if there is a deserving volunteer or other person to pay this forward to. Karma. worst case I will sell and give proceeds to the charity.
as to OP conundrum. If your have the space keep the bikes your want, if you are on the fence nothing wrong about setting a can't refuse to seel if I get it price, as long as you don't look back with regret. Looking back with good memories and fondnest is ok
__________________
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can.
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can.
10-17-18 | 05:05 PM
#36
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 3,379
Likes: 2,020
From: Pacific Northwest
Bikes: Yes.
The one thing I do not need is the tricycle. It is a Schwinn Meridian with 26 inch wheels. Of course, being a single speed that tops out at 12mph at a furious cadence just wouldn't fit the bill. So it got a thumb shifter & pulley rigged to an E-type derailleur and Shimano triple. Then it went through a few BMX freewheels until I found a tooth count I was happy with. After that it got a vintage Arai drum brake from a fellow forum member...It goes. It stops. It hauls groceries & my dog just dandy. Better than new actually. The problem is it just takes up too much room and is a burden to own in the sense that it displaces other bikes that could be in the stable.
I don't have any duplicates. Theres a race bike,
a Dutchie grocery bike,
a commuter/gravel bike,
a 2 person bike,
a klunker bike,
a mountain bike,
a trainer/"like cycling? Borrow this" bike.
And of course, my favorite bike. It's a house brand of a national chain. It's the "it just fits" bike. That I'm off to do a metric on right now.
It's only loyalty and a sense of duty to the trike that I keep it around. Maybe in a few years, when my dog finally goes to fetch the endless bowl of treats in the sky will I sell it, but I really think I'd feel better morally if it was gifted to someone who would appreciate it. I don't think I'd feel right about accepting cash. Is that so weird?
I don't have any duplicates. Theres a race bike,
a Dutchie grocery bike,
a commuter/gravel bike,
a 2 person bike,
a klunker bike,
a mountain bike,
a trainer/"like cycling? Borrow this" bike.
And of course, my favorite bike. It's a house brand of a national chain. It's the "it just fits" bike. That I'm off to do a metric on right now.
It's only loyalty and a sense of duty to the trike that I keep it around. Maybe in a few years, when my dog finally goes to fetch the endless bowl of treats in the sky will I sell it, but I really think I'd feel better morally if it was gifted to someone who would appreciate it. I don't think I'd feel right about accepting cash. Is that so weird?
10-17-18 | 07:00 PM
#37
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 6,567
Likes: 1,065
From: Berwyn PA
Bikes: I hate bikes!
A forum member was buying and selling a fair bit and then remarked that he ended up building each one like the others, so he stopped. There's a lesson in that for me.
I try to convince myself that each different bike has a distinct purpose. That helps me justify owning several.
Since I can develop an appreciation for each bike's unique properties, I know I can become an obsessive collector. That's why I haven't bought any bikes recently. I'm afraid that a bike I didn't need before becomes something I can't live without.
I try to convince myself that each different bike has a distinct purpose. That helps me justify owning several.
Since I can develop an appreciation for each bike's unique properties, I know I can become an obsessive collector. That's why I haven't bought any bikes recently. I'm afraid that a bike I didn't need before becomes something I can't live without.
10-17-18 | 07:37 PM
#38
Senior Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 5,056
Likes: 4,923
From: Point Reyes Station, California
Bikes: Indeed!
I was watching some TV show, might've been American Pickers - I think they were featuring an Elvis memorabilia collector in this case - and he said something quite prescient: "Owning is only a part of collecting cool stuff. Selling it, and letting someone else enjoy it, is also part of it. Otherwise we'd all just be hoarders."
There will come a time when I will sell bikes. Just not now.
There will come a time when I will sell bikes. Just not now.
I won't say I'm not a collector... but I'm more of a rider. I've probably owned 20 or so vintage bikes but have passed most of them along when I discovered that I wasn't riding them. I've met some great buyers through craigslist who were thrilled to have the bike I no longer wanted. No regrets there.
My collecting is like the tides: Bikes come in and bikes go out with an almost imperceptible regularity. I have 4 modern bikes and 2 vintage bikes now that I think are keepers. I also have a list of about 5 bikes that I would buy if I found them, just to find out if I really want to keep them. But most of the bikes I seek are pretty obscure so the tides will continue to turn very slowly.
Brent
10-17-18 | 08:05 PM
#39
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 8,206
Likes: 86
From: Metro Detroit/AA
Bikes: 2016 Novara Mazama
The way I justify it? If they are just sitting in my closet or garage, not being ridden, they aren't really being enjoyed (assuming they aren't a rare collectible, which I don;t own). Selling them clears up space, funds something I will use, and makes someone else happy. Plus, the bike gets used, like it should 
10-17-18 | 11:54 PM
#40
Senior Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 2,036
Likes: 550
From: Pacific Northwest
Bikes: ‘87 Marinoni SLX Sports Tourer, ‘79 Miyata 912 by Gugificazione
In our garage-less, limited storage space house and less income in retirement, my avid cyclist wife and I have agreed that two each is enough. “If one comes in, one needs to leave”, although some timing flexibility is permitted. I find that having one permanently fendered bike (the ‘79 Miyata 912), and one bike that’s easy to transport in the car for our frequent out-of-town rides (the ‘87 Marinoni), both functionally useful sport tourers as well as being just great rides, has felt quite sufficient for several years. I was allowed a third for a while that didn’t have an obvious ‘fit’ in our scheme so it was easy to let go.
Last year, I differentiated them by performing a serious Gugificazione conversion on the Miyata (Thank you again, [MENTION=381793]gugie[/MENTION]!), making it an effective travel bike with rando front bag and front panniers for our trip to Europe next year and more of that kind of cycling fun. And the Marinoni occasionally gets its 650B transformation for rides like that great Palouse adventure led by [MENTION=135635]scozim[/MENTION] last summer. Both are extremely satisfying to ride any distance, fun to wrench, and easy on the eyes. Making them different has enhanced my appreciation for both of them.
But I have the distinct advantage of watching [MENTION=401497]RiddleOfSteel[/MENTION]’s fleet come and go in-person, permitting me vicarious thrills of serious C&V bike ownership, even beyond those from being active on this forum. Plus we occasionally get to do fun builds together as volunteers at Bike Works, like that 1987 Fuso and a 1997 Marinoni Special; and ROS just helped me complete the rebuild of a lovely early 80’s Rodriguez for a good friend.
Last year, I differentiated them by performing a serious Gugificazione conversion on the Miyata (Thank you again, [MENTION=381793]gugie[/MENTION]!), making it an effective travel bike with rando front bag and front panniers for our trip to Europe next year and more of that kind of cycling fun. And the Marinoni occasionally gets its 650B transformation for rides like that great Palouse adventure led by [MENTION=135635]scozim[/MENTION] last summer. Both are extremely satisfying to ride any distance, fun to wrench, and easy on the eyes. Making them different has enhanced my appreciation for both of them.
But I have the distinct advantage of watching [MENTION=401497]RiddleOfSteel[/MENTION]’s fleet come and go in-person, permitting me vicarious thrills of serious C&V bike ownership, even beyond those from being active on this forum. Plus we occasionally get to do fun builds together as volunteers at Bike Works, like that 1987 Fuso and a 1997 Marinoni Special; and ROS just helped me complete the rebuild of a lovely early 80’s Rodriguez for a good friend.
10-18-18 | 08:41 AM
#41
aka Tom Reingold
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,302
Likes: 6,559
From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Still doing my best to live by that observation Tom! I have 4 bikes total. Two of which I "share" with my son, we ride the same size. Two are mine and that seems to be more than enough at the moment. I recently got rid of almost all my extra "stuff" at the Trexlertown swap meet. I realized that 1 fendered bike, with a rack and lights plus a light, fast, bike (relatively speaking) covered all of the bases for me. I still see lots of bikes I enjoy looking at and thinking about but having fewer things to manage is a nice feeling as well.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
10-18-18 | 10:18 AM
#42
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 7,474
Likes: 559
LINK to sale thread.
In addition, I have another set of two tires matching those on this PX10 [that I picked off another bike] and would throw those in for a some additional consideration.
In addition, I have another set of two tires matching those on this PX10 [that I picked off another bike] and would throw those in for a some additional consideration.
10-18-18 | 11:04 AM
#43
Banned.
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 27,199
Likes: 1,463
N-1 should be addressed, for many of us, about 2x a year.
Just to get us back to reality.
There is little downside in selling a really nice bike unless it's a dire situation.
It's even more fun to say LIFE IS SHORT and give one away.
Just to get us back to reality.
There is little downside in selling a really nice bike unless it's a dire situation.
It's even more fun to say LIFE IS SHORT and give one away.
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