deux jambes

Covid-19 is certainly impacting society’s lifestyles across the country, and sparking uncertainty for many.

I raise this observation specifically with regards to those of us who enjoy procuring parts, and building bikes. While the endeavor brings much pleasure, and reward, I do wonder to what extent is it practical for some of us in a time such as the one we find ourselves in now.

With agencies, and businesses closing, some folks have already lost employment, and others surely will. Our status levels of financial security will of course look different from one another, but I’m sure we all find that sense of security to be equally important.

I’ve had a frame slated for a spring build. And while the season has arrived, the timing it seems, just isn’t right. The parts still needed to put the bike together would cost about as much as a frugal month’s grocery shopping. I have the funds to complete the bike right now, but what about tomorrow?

My place of employment is at risk of shutting down. In fact, every day we stay open is rather amazing. And I am one who lives paycheck to paycheck. It’s possible that we remain running though this pandemic, but it doesn’t feel wise to bank on that idea.

In considering these things, I hate to admit that for me, it’s not a time when I can reasonably justify $200 worth of parts to build a bike when I already have a bike to ride. I’m feeling that the project will have to stay on the shelf until we reach a point of stability around covid-19. Food and shelter have to be a priority, and any current surplus funds, in my case, should be directed towards such priorities,

Is anyone else finding themselves facing the same decisions? Have you made them already? I’d love to hear about it.

bikemike73 

You are making the right decision to wait to build the bike. Like you said....you have a bike to ride.
I know it's exciting to build/ get a bike to refurbish.
I have this passion as well,........ Love taking old bikes, especially the ones that nobody wants and make them usable again.

A little elbow grease, some patience, and maybe a tube or 2 and you have a good running bike.

I picked up a bike last Fall and spent 6 hours the next day cleaning it up !!

You take care of yourself with the things we all " need"........sometimes the things we " want" will have to wait .

I know it's hard....but patience, especially during this time...is a must.

Good Luck and stay safe

Classtime 

We have halted all spending. I've got a bike on CL and if it sells, the $ will not be bike money☹️ Fortunately, I have some tires and chains among my bikes with many miles left in them for rides like today's.


Fewer cars--Fresher air.

wrk101

I am in the process of moving my bike workshop to a smaller space (garage). In so doing, I pretty much have to touch everything. Needless to say, I am "discovering" stuff I forgot about TEN FREAKIN' YEARS AGO!

To add to the challenge, the space I am moving into is FULL. So stuff has to leave..

Eight loads to various thrift shops in town so far, and one load to the co op. I need to clear about 1000 sq ft of "stuff". Sold a motorcycle lift table I haven't used in five years this morning.


Nothing like having to touch stuff to realize "what the crap is going on here?"

Absolutely nothing to do with C-19. Its a combination of "having too much stuff" and "the death of the flip market" which has been discussed many times.

katsup

All my projects are complete and I had already started downsizing before the C19 panic. I still have 2 bikes to sell, but I have space to hold onto them if needed.

As for spending, if the right bike came along, I'd pick it up. Things would be different I lived paycheck to paycheck.

deux jambes

Beautiful ride, both the machine, and the location.

“Halted all spending.” That’s where my mind is inclining to as well. Seems all funds are now for basic needs, and emergency purposes only if we’re being careful about it.

Enjoying the bike, or bikes we do have in the meantime should be good enough.

deux jambes

It truly is a case of wants vs. needs, and practicing patience until we pull out of this. Here’s hoping for the day when we can all spend a little more playfully.

Thanks for the feedback, and you take care as well.

cleroica

I had no intention of spending any money on C&V goodies, but a frameset that I've wanted for quite some time popped up for sale in my size, so I couldn't resist. An international shipping suspension will prevent me from spending any time or money on it for the foreseeable future.

squirtdad

I am fortunate in that I am working, albeit from home due to shelter in place so my income overall is not impacted. I don't have any have to do projects right now, consumables only, so nothing is delayed.

the biggest potential impact is that my son who is graduating college in May (with no commencement ceromony) is facing many headwinds with is fledgling business.... but it will make him stronger

I live on block where people have dropped notes in mailboxes saying if someone needs help with an errand they will help

overall i am lucky and thankful for that

texaspandj

Yes it's affecting me in that regard. I was about to purchase a frame but it's not a priority now. I already have everything needed for the build just needed, ok, wanted the frame. Maybe it'll still happen.

abshipp 

I live pretty much paycheck-to-paycheck as well while maintaining some kind of emergency savings, so my bike spending is always fairly limited.

One thing that has been present lately that never has before is a hesitation to meet someone for an in-person transaction.

For instance, there is a Cannondale frame in what looks like my size for a really good deal, but due to my obligation towards the more vulnerable members of society to limit unnecessary social interaction, it's just going to have to wait.

(and this is proving to be quite hard, because I've been wanting a Cannondale for a while now...)

USAZorro

Hoping that I won't have to. Completely understand why some folks will need to. This does have me rethinking how and where I do spend. There are some local businesses that I intend to make a point of doing business with, so they'll hopefully still be around when things straighten up - most especially, one of our LBS's.

Spaghetti Legs 

Oddly enough, I've sold way more parts over the past few days than I have in a long time so my PayPal slush fund is bigger than normal (usually zero). I'm not a regular parts seller but a couple of parts loitering on ebay sold and I happened to have a few items for WTB's on another site. That being said, other than some Silca pump parts I bought today, not much motivation for major projects even though I have a couple of frames begging for attention. I've been tinkering on some lingering minor projects in the shop using parts on hand. I am in health care, so, for good or ill, I don't have to worry about my job although my thoughts have turned to possibility of disability on a more regular basis recently. I think it's prudent in general now to hold off on spending otherwise disposable cash for the next few weeks. Hard to go on a spending spree when you see 25% of your retirement funds evaporate.

gugie 

Dead halt here. Food and bills only.

jreeves 

I imagine that your investments will rebound so long as you can wait a few years and survive this zombie apocalypse. Just recall where we all were in 2008.

I work in construction here in Florida and we aren't seeing any slowdown at all so far. Bid requests are still streaming in and our small office has no prospects for closing down unless and until we're required by law. I checked in with a couple of the local bike shops and they had no plans to close either. Hope that holds. Seems silly that would change while our Governor is leaving all the beaches open for Spring Breakers! Even so, my small expenditures in this hobby are on hold for the time being.

Good luck and best to you all.

deux jambes

This is a really important point. Thanks for bringing it up.

Like the Cannondale frame you’re desiring, there is a very nice wheelset available locally. I needs wheels for the frame I have, and these are priced right. However, when I take into account that I may not have a job tomorrow, I also need to consider that meeting the seller in person is rather precarious.

I’ve spoken to him on the phone. He’s quite talkative, and he shared his age with me. He’s not quite senior citizen yet, but he is in the upper age bracket, and that puts him in a more vulnerable population if I understand right. In all honesty, I could be a carrier without symptoms, and I’d hate to pass the contagion to him. And if I’m going to be honest, my place of employment is in the trenches. I work at a homeless youth shelter, so there is a strong possibility I’ve been exposed even though we don’t have any reported cases. If that was the situation, the last thing I’d want to do would be to infect an older gentleman through an accidental handshake.

More, and more, neither the bike project, nor a good deal on a killer set of wheels appears to be important right now.

tkamd73 

No!
Tim

crank_addict

Just for you bike flippers or those looking for a new sideline. A brother in Miami tells me, this is the latest fartsy (fashion artsy) trend. Suggest only a matter of time the sheer and lacey, vintage on eBay will be hot. Lol

iab

Just went on a buying "streak" of 2 things from Italy and 1 thing from the UK. They shipped prior to the complete shut down, at least in Italy. Currently I am eyeballing a preWW1 Maino that I plan to take a closer look at in February of 2021, assuming things have cleared. If things are not better then, I can be patient and wait. If not that bike, there will be another. Always true with this hobby.

I am "fortunate" that my company does well when the ICU fills up.

nlerner

I'm lucky to work in a relatively stable industry (higher ed), at least for now. I've been spending bike money lately, but not on C&V goods; instead, on new stuff. I'm afraid I've been to the other side, and it sure rides nicely.

delbiker1 

I am putting a hold on all bike spending, unless something essential needs replacing. I have a NIB Soma Smoothie frame and CF fork, new 105 7000 complete groupset, and like new other components to make a complete build. I have seven other bikes and am going to be trimming that number down to a total of 3 or 4. No hurry to do that. I have a backup supply of most expendables, so not spending on bikes should not be an issue. However, I anticipate suppliers offering good sales opportunities at some point, and that could convince me to loosen up the strings just a bit.

daviddavieboy

Being a truck driver social distancing is part of my job description. Yesterday I had a conference call with my manager and the only change to our business is to drop the loads and mail the invoices. As far as spending things won’t change for me as well as I have 2 frames in the process of restore. I was supposed to head to the USA in April but that decision was changed for me.

dweenk 

I haven't bought anything in months (other than to donate) and have no plans to do so in the near future. I have not been able to sell anything, so if I can't move one out, I can't move one in.

grayEZrider

Cut way back 2 months ago. It isn't the virus that is causing all our (future) grief, it is fear. But the next few months will cause a lot of people to realize their condition is actually like that of the (slightly modified) country song line of "I've got everything I need and most of what I don't".

jreeves 

I appreciate hearing stories like this. You guys are the backbone of the current economy and it's good to have the inside perspective.