Well, boys, it was a good run!
 

Well, I'm going back to work, so my time as a make-believe bike shop is coming to a close. I never thought that wrenching on bikes would be a full time gig, even for a little bit. It was incredibly fulfilling, and I'm grateful that my hobby was able to pay the bills for a while, and also put ~50 bikes under new riders when there was such a critical shortage. Here's a selection of the vintage bikes that came through my garage; I'm just glad more weren't in my size, or else I'd have to build a new shed!

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...003e8a83dc.jpg
89 Trek 420, non drive side, please forgive me.
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...405ed71694.jpg
Austro Daimler - AD SL. Sold instantly, that's when I knew the market had flipped.
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...a4b212a9e8.jpg
Bianchi Premio. People REALLY like Bianchi, even in red, even with Shimano
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...af82b90242.jpg
Lotus Challenger SX. Probably one of the best bikes ever to have stem shifters AND turkey levers.
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...06f61c15ef.jpg
Marin Limited Edition. Road bike built from Tange Mountain bike tubing. Because 'Murica
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...856fca38bc.jpg
Mercier Mixte. French. Because I hate myself.
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...48d75d9f95.jpg
Miyata 312. Funny story, sold this one twice.
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f9f2a5c5bc.jpg
Miyata Triple Cross. "Flat Bar Gravel Bike" is way sexier than "Hybrid"
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...403a61637b.jpg
Miyata 610, beautiful time capsule, if only it was my size.
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...66dbbbf4fb.jpg
Miyata 712. Tiny bikes sell fast!

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...8e5dcc6e11.jpg
Novara Corsa touring bike, surprisingly hard to sell! "REI Brand" is way more enticing.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...251ae38177.jpg
Peugeot PH something, turned from a junker SS to a rideable 1x5
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...09913bb47c.jpg
Peugeot Mixte, rare in such a large size, converted to 700c & 6spd, broke my heart to sell this one.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...4a5825aecd.jpg
73 Raleigh Grand Sports built up with mustache bars. 531 frame, Stronglight cranks, would have made more parting it out!
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...df36b06009.jpg
Later Raliegh Grand Sports, Hi-Ten frame :-( But made more profit on this one than the '73
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b3d549c4b0.jpg
St. Etienne Mixte. Seriously, someone stop me, why do I do this to myself.
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...9961905a8f.jpg
'92 Schwinn Paramount PDG. Almost kept this one for myself. Still on the hunt for a waterford paramount, though...
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...127b7be5ae.jpg
Schwinn Traveler, A bike for giants.
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...7e32288e26.jpg
Schwinn Voyageur 11.8, people like red bikes.
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...5348cd2da6.jpg
Finally, a cro-mo Mixte, god bless the Japanese!

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...0a7e24daf6.jpg
Bought this one based on a fuzzy picture, turned out to be a Hi-Ten frame with all steel components. Thought someone filled the seat tube with lead shot, it was so heavy. Swapped all aluminum components from a donor and shaved off 3.5 lbs.
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...d195ac666b.jpg
Specialized Sirrus! Does anybody else love RSX? Flush with solvent, spray in white lithium grease, ride for another 20 years.

Looks like a good run. Hard to make ends meet on used bikes. Good luck with the new job.

Really, really cool stuff. I've been tempted by a few of those crmo Shogun mixte frames myself, hah. One had an immaculate looking blue/green Deore group...

What a great story, thanks for sharing. Those bikes will accumulate untold miles and memories. And although the bikes look incredible, I was drawn in to the diverse methods by which they were propped up for photos: a rock, a brick, a curb...and extra style points by using a can of Modelo!

I have to be thankful that even though my primary skill set was devastated by the pandemic, my secondary skill set (bicycle repair) was in unprecedented demand. Prices were inflated enough that, for a brief moment, I could make ends meet by doing something I enjoyed!

Not gonna lie, a cro-mo Nishiki mixte with forged lugs slipped into my personal collection, and I'm building it up with 600 Arabesque...

Of all the skills, my photography probably improved the most! And while I did settle in on the pet brick as my favorite; Modelo get's a shout out as being my personal quarantine MVP!

I wouldn't hesitate to take any of those bikes on a long ride! I'm surprised how many mixtes you had, I don't own one myself, yet....

Mixtes have been mainstay for me, but I live in a university town with good cycling infrastructure. I always try to have a few mixtes ready to go in August, September time-frame when the students come back. The mixte equivalent of the entry level road bike is almost always more desirable than the pure road or "men's" version

Nice work on the bikes, looks like you had some fun!

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e18ecb916a.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...29c99e13c8.jpg
The aforementioned Shogun. Straight gauge Champion 5 crmo and an original Deore group. Got posted for $350 and gradually reduced in price to $250 when it got snapped up. Good thing, because if I had room, I totally would have been tempted...

It shows that you loved that job. I’d buy a bike from you any time.

I've also noticed very well equipped Novara and Performance bikes just don't sell. Seen a few extremely high end hardtail bikes (Tange Ultimate tubes) for good prices and they just refuse to sell.

guy1138

Thats a big affirmative on the liking RSX! Sweet shifting set up.

That's a beauty!

Wow, I would have been tempted as well! That may be the nicest Mixte I've ever seen.

Friend of mine's teenage son started up a garage business fixing bikes late spring. Word of mouth only, and people keep coming by to drop off more repairs. He started patching tubes when they became hard to get for awhile. Kid was making about $25/hr.

There was a sign on our trail for someone 2 blocks from me taking on repairs, I would guess the person was laid off.

Seems our vintage bike skills are our emergency backup jobs!

That's super cool!

Indeed!

These bikes are so beautiful!

wow!

I have a Univega Hybrid up on CL, if it doesn't sell this week I am stealing flat bar gravel bike :D

< insert drool emoji here >