How not to thin the herd
 

So I picked up a '77-ish Raleigh Competition off of CL last week, and had decided to flip it for a few bucks more than I paid because I really have enough bikes. But, I figured to make myself an honest man in the auction listing when I talked about ride and condition, I needed to take the thing out for a ride. Last night I cleaned it up, mounted new tubes and a new front tire, and went for a 20 mile hill ride.

About the third mile, I started reflecting on how smooth the Campy Gran Sport drive train shifted.

On the first big out-of-the-saddle uphill, I started to marvel at the balance and feel of the 531 frame.

On the following downhill, I wondered just how fast the already-smooth Campy hubs would be with a good cleaning and repack.

At about mile 18, it occurred to me that the ride was still comfortable, with no aches, pains or complaints, which with a 49-year-old, often-injured, ex-rugby player's body, isn't always the case an hour or so into a fairly strenuous ride.

Just before mile 20, I stopped kidding myself and realized that I'm not gonna sell this thing, and I have yet another 1970's 531 bike to find space for.

Moral of the story: if you really want to flip it, don't ride it. The addiction will kick in.

Been there, done that, got the bikes to prove it.
:D

+1

Sick.

I really should sell my Bianchi because I never ride it anymore, but I just can't bear to part with it.

Luckily three out of four bikes I buy to flip don't fit me.

I was going to flip the Paramount, keep it, then a Romic,,,, still here, then that damm Bridgestone came around, and she's hanging on the rack, now an old Trek !! HELP ME I'M SICK !!!!!!

Yeah, I'm running the same problem: Got three up on Richmond Craigslist as of this writing (one sold about an hour ago). I was also considering selling my Raleigh Sports - unfortunately, I'm using it at the lunchtime runner since the Raleigh Seneca is up for sale and the GT that the wife found at the dump isn't quite finished. It's bringing back wonderful memories of commuting around Erie 35 years ago.

Great, just what I need, another bike that I have to trailer somewhere to be able to ride (my immediate area is hilly and demands serious gears). The Shogun fixie I can deal with, but the Sports is pushing things a bit.

Has anybody found a good clinic yet? A BAA* maybe.
*Bicycling Addict Anonymous

I really need to check in myself.

I have the same problem, put a bike together get it all tuned up and fitting good to replace one of the old ones, ride it for a while, then make the mistake of riding the old one to make sure it's ready to sell, and then decide not to sell it.

pretty much the same reason I have three lathes and two mills in the garage, along with two sailboats....

Ken.

I feel your pain. When you buy an old, heavy Huffy Express, welded frame, 10 speed with low end parts and find excuses to keep it, you really need to see a doctor or enroll in group therapy.




My appointment is next week.:eek:

The old Raleigh is very primitive. You should really go test ride a Specialized Tarmac, be sure to crash it hard on the test run. You won't believe how strong composite frames are. The old Raleigh is probably too worn out and soft from years of riding. It's time to join modern times...Just kidding! I almost bought a Super Course but it sold too damn quick...

On a few bikes I have avoided riding them yet, just so that won't happen.

You were also seduced by the lure of the Campagnolo sirens, now you will be looking for Super Record.

There's still hope - you're still accumulating semi-quality. Now, if you're hoarding mid-70's white Iversons . . . . . . . . . :eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

Forget therapy, just go out and shoot yourself.

I have a Raleigh Professional track bike that I purchased to flip. It's a tad too big for me, has tubular tires which I'd rather not deal with and lacks a front brake, something I consider important. Still, I've had it for about 6 months. :rolleyes:

I've got a 1981 Miyata 1000 in my size that I got for $50 telling myself I would make a killing on the flip. Still awaintg a "thorough going over" prior to e-baying and I seem to be in no rush......:rolleyes:

Welcome to BAA
 

Welcome to BAA. My name is Symon and I am a bike adict.:p I just picked up 8 28" roadsters and 3 26" "Sports" bikes today. A nice mixture of BSA, Rudge, Empire (NZ made), Phillips ...

I am going to keep only three of the bikes. I will have to make sure that I only ride the ones I am selling the length of my drive to make sure that the brakes work or I will have to find space for most of them.:D

I don't think we're helping Major A. You know that recent study that says obeisity is contagious" or "your friends make you fat"? Well, if we really wanted to help Major A we'd all thin our own herds.....

Are we here for help or to help support our own habits?

HAH AH AH HAH HHHAHAHHHAHAH! just kidding. I'm there.

I just counted my bikes the other day, 14 complete bikes, (not including my wife's 1 and my 2.9 year olds 3 trikes (gotta start him off young)) and 8 frames.

You BUY huffies? :eek: By the way the word "huffy" and the phrase " low end parts" are synonymous. ;)
Let me know if your doctor is any good.

I thought that was because all we could afford were dollar hamburgers with cheese and bacon anymore!

I bought a Huffy last month for $7 but mainly to get the Araya rims. It was in decent shape, so I fixed it up for my daughter. She goes to college next year, so it would be great for her to take along. Not out much if it gets stolen or left out in the rain.

Actually, I think I will be thinning my herd a bit here soon. I believe there are stages to this disorder. Once I built up a bit of a herd, I've found myself being more selective, and developng a plan for what I want. I've decided that, in addition to my two nostalgia mounts (a Raleigh SuperCourse like the first bike I had that I really loved as an adult, and my late uncle's Superbe), I want one old soldier British bike (I have the sweet riding JA Holland), one MTB (have a rigid, Trek 830), a go-fast rider for club rides and potential racing if I can get in good enough shape (it's the Jackson for now, but I expect the Trek soon), a beater fixed gear (Schwinn Le Tour for now, Traveler instead soon), a touring bike for randonees (I'm making due on a nice Miyata 210 that Poguemahone gave me a sweet deal on a couple years ago, but as I've ridden, I've learned that it isn't quite what I want), and a nice riding, gorgeous bike to show-off (the Fuji finest fits that now, but once Shadowfax returns to the stable with a fresh Dr. Deltron paintjob, poor old Phantom will undoubtedly be relegated). Sorry for that really long sentence. My point is, that as I now know what I want, I've developed a plan, and I am preparing to set it in motion. It starts with selling the small Trek 520 that I currently have on eBay, and I expect it to proceed as follows.

The 1990 Bob Jackson that's been my "A" rider will be up for sale once I get my freshly painted Trek 760 back. built up and dialed in.

After that, I'll be looking for a Miyata 1000 (or some other vintage, light, touring bike with all appropriate braze-ons), and after I get that, my Miyata 210 will be up for sale (it's a fine bike, but a tad larger and heavier than what I'd really like).

After I swap bars and un-fix the True Temper Le Tour (I'm making one out of the same size Traveler), that one goes up for sale.

After Shadowfax gets back from paint and gets built-up and dialed in, I may bite the bullet, and put my 1973 Fuji, "The Finest" up for sale. That will be the true test of my mettle.

This thread got me to feeling guilty,so I put the Miyata 1000 on Flea bay with a BIN of $400. Sold in 41 minutes.

USAZorro,

I'll probably regret asking, but what size is the Fuji?

Yes, another one of those wondrous brands I used to sell back in the Erie days.

It's 56 ctc. Two year old pictures here.

My size, of course.

When the day comes (assuming it does), we'll need to talk.

And please don't rush it - I can't come up with the deal tomorrow. Gotta flip and sell a few more bikes first. The stuff I'm moving right now goes to winter riding clothes.