RustyJames 

We're always on the lookout for various bits and bobs for our machines and perhaps you have uncovered a unique way of finding the gems you seek. Yeah, there is always CL, Marketplace, the 'Bay, etc. but maybe you came up with another method?

Mine;
- I recently discovered you can pick a location anywhere in the world to scour FB Marketplace and it will show ads for that locale. (IMO - Marketplace seems to be the preferred way to sell these days.) Warning - this can become a serious rabbit hole/time suck. I haven't tried to buy anything this way yet but I suspect finding sellers willing to ship internationally may be challenging.
- For me, OfferUp seems to have some gems but you need to use unconventional search methods. "Old bike seat" has revealed a few Brooks' for far less $$ than other selling sites.
- Back to FB. There are many groups dedicated to specific enthusiasts so join one of those and see what's available.
- Google search. Mixed results but some success.

Any more? Lets hear about 'em!

Catnap 

Here’s a few:
1. unless a seller specifies they ship to the USA, they won’t be listed on eBay.com. Visit eBay.fr for cheap prices on rare French items, eBay.it for Italian, etc. most European sellers will ship to the USA if you message them.

2. Yahoo Japan Auctions - you can buy via their owned & operated service Buyee. They handle shipping to the USA.

3. Kijiji is Canadian Craigslist. There are similar ones for European countries.

4. Paceline forums, Pinkbike, and other specialist bike websites

nlerner

A bit scary to add this up, but looks like I acquired 6 complete bikes and 12 framesets in 2021. Here were my sources:

Complete bikes
CL = 2
trash picked (i.e., free) = 3
purchased from a friend = 1 (though wheels were not included)

Frame/fork
CL = 1
BF C&V = 3
eBay = 1
trash picked = 1
free from friend = 3
purchased from friend = 2
iBOB = 1

Only a couple have remained in the fleet, the rest sold off, given away, or still hanging in the basement. I should add that I rarely look for bikes or framesets to buy and haven’t for years. But somehow they seem to find me!

thook

Locally, at least, there are estate sales, CL (iffy), yard sales, thrift stores, pawn shops, and flea markets. With the latter four, there won't be advertisement so you just have to pop around to see what's out there. Most of what I have are from thrift stores and flea markets within about 40-50 mile radius. And, I've had to pass on a number of great finds because of frame size or price restriction, but there's a bunch out there. I ran across a 70's Moto' Jubilee with a Crane Rd, some Campy bits, some French stuff, just a lot of noteworthy points for $150. It was just a couples size too small. So, find out where the shops/markets are on your phone, load up your gas friendly automobile with hot tea and some snacks and make a Saturday afternoon of it. Or, if you just happen to be in the area kinda thing. Rogers, AR is a bit over an hour drive from me, so when I'm up there I alwasy try to do some hunting. They usually have a lot of cool stuff in that area. Not just bikes, either

ps. Oh yeah, I heard from a fellow I met at a thrift store that the metal recycling yards can have some great pickings, too. He rode up on a Norco mtb and I had to ask where he got it. He'd also found a 'Dale black lightning at the same yard

jeirvine 

When meeting a seller of a locally listed bike, always ask if they have any other old parts or tools. I have stumbled into some NOS Campy hubs, a Silca pista pump, and numerous other parts of interest this way. I once passed on a very shagged and overpriced Paramount, but walked away with the complete tool kit for $10.

iab

I hate to sound like a corporate a-hole, but network. Guys I know get me stuff easier, better and cheaper than any key-word search.

Target-rich locations. The right swap will bring plentiful bounty. You have to be willing to go to it.

RustyJames 

100% agree about networking. People love to help friends. Unfortunately I’m kind of new to this game so this forum is really my jumping off point.

The ‘rona has shut down all the swap meet events in my locale but looking forward to 2022.

HMJ

I have had very good luck finding various parts at bike co-ops and swaps. Stuff is usually priced well or negotiable - plus you can actually view and determine workability in person.

As an added bonus you get to chat with like-minded others for a bit

non-fixie 

That is an important part of the fun. I vastly prefer to pick up stuff I've bought on our local CL variants, even if it is a long drive, because I get to meet the nicest and most interesting people.

I have been kicked out of a seller's house once by his wife because, after three hours or so, she was really fed up with the two bike geeks in her kitchen.

juvela

-----

...one venue discovered are the depots for the major thrift store chains

the volume of donations received is absolutely overwhelming and they must process it all...one manner or another

as far as bicycles go they need to be complete and in fairly decent condition in order to be sent out to the individual stores

incomplete or broken cycles and loose parts generally remain at the depot

one i used to frequent had both daily auctions for large bins full of items and also areas where shoppers can browse

---

the pandemic may have caused these operations to suspend or greatly reduce their activities

in my area at the beginning of the pandemic there was a period of months where thrift stores had to remain closed

then they were permitted to reopen on a limited basis in terms of days/hours and there was a limit on how many persons could be inside the premises at one time

the big chains seemed to shut down and never reopened; at least in my area

while the small chains and individual store operations found ways to get and stay open on a limited basis

-----

Kabuki12

I have used the Classic Rendezvous list , this forum , Craigslist, and of course eBay. I have also been to swap meets and cycling events. Most of the time I don’t buy anything but on the occasion that I do buy , it comes out well. Also I have used a local bike cooperative but usually to donate things I no longer need. Always keep eyes open and let people know that you are looking for vintage bikes and parts , I have stumbled onto stuff in some unlikely places. About seven years ago I answered an ad on CL for a Campagnolo NR rear derailleur and came home with two boxes of Campy spare parts and tools along with a set of wheels from an old racing bike (Rigida/ Campy record HF) all for $60! Don’t be afraid to ask if the seller has other stuff. In this case he was retired and moving , he just wanted to find somebody who would appreciate it. I bought a Medici from a guy and got a great deal , when I asked about any parts he had , he said yes that he would text me. I ended up with a couple of Campy skewers and three Campagnolo record brake calipers and a couple of free wheels for $35.

ehcoplex

Using search terms like 'antique' or common mis-spellings of particular cycle marques can sometimes yield results.

I'll add that I really hate the fact that Facebook Marketplace has largely taken over and I despise their algorithms- one minute something is there, then it's not (and doesn't show up in a targeted search...), then it reappears a week later...

wrk101

Believe it or not, many of the thrift stores in my area have stopped taking donations. Others have very limited donation hours.

it’s gotten very hard to donate stuff! I think the lack of help is impacting this here. For the same reason, store hours have been reduced, and closed more days.

FB marketplace is a good place to buy, except bikes are scattered throughout many categories. Lousy place to sell.

My best pickups have been while we were traveling (on vacation). I always end up full before the end of the trip, and this is with my pickup truck that starts empty. Next big trip will be with my wife’s SUV so any serious buying will require shipping home.

Finally, I continue to find parts in the form of complete bikes. Looking past defects you can find $$$ in parts.it’s not unusual to see 5x value in parts on a complete bike. You have to know what you are looking at and look past defects.

Two recent pickups. The orange bike had a stuck stem and seat post, old rotten tires, etc. The blue bike was rattle canned, and had issues as well. You have to learn to spot the redeeming qualities. Both were for sale locally at low prices.

Sellers pictures.




Blue bike has Cyclone GT generation 1 derailleur set, Sugino Mighty crankset, and Universal Super 68 brake calipers.

RustyJames 

Has anyone in the US set up an account on subito.it? I tried to but it said my birthday was invalid. I've had the same birthday for quite awhile so I'm pretty sure it is valid.

Catnap 

europeans often sequence birthdates differently than the USA; I.e. day / month / year instead of month / day / year.

RustyJames 

It gives you drop downs that are numerical, 1-31, 1-12 and rolling selection for year and still a no-go.

non-fixie 

I think I found the explanation. It is that you were born before 1920 - which as as far back as the system goes.

RustyJames 

My memory seems like it some times.

ehcoplex

You could try using a VPN and setting the server to Italy.

bark_eater 

I gave up on scrolling through craigslist, but still get a couple email notifications for saved searches. I just picked up a restorable Raleigh Competition off craigslist. I happened to check my email and was the first guy to respond. Also finally found a lugged Trek 750 because I got a facebook notification. Going thru 100,000 listings for "bike $50" to find full Campy 531 Reynolds goodness is a time suck. If I do find something its usually a 2 hour drive each way to the hunting grounds. There are a number of such Trophy's in the garage but its too much time invested. As far as stuff I did'nt know I needed, I hit the scrap yard every morning after dropping the kid off. I figure I'm buying a lottery ticket with every 15 minute visit. Depending who's yard boss for the season I've been able to make a pile and have a parts stripping party on Fridays. They guy running the machines now doesn't have a lot of patience, and Its kind of a race to get there before he starts the engines for the day. If its a realy clean bike, occasionally, he'll "forget" to crush it, because no one wants to see a grown man cry.... No mater the condition its about $10-12 a bike so even if the bikes are not practical to flip, my parts bin overflowed. I also do pretty good on cast off wheels with or with out free wheels.

RustyJames 

That’s beyond my current abilities but I could learn…..maybe….?

ehcoplex

It's well worth figuring out & installing for security reasons alone!