Reform
 

A decent Gitane popped up on CL last night that happened to be right down the street from me. It was a decent lugged steel frame in my size, but was otherwise unremarkable. Steel 700c rims, stem shifters, low end simplex components, crappy seat. I could have had it for $45. I passed! I think it's the first bike I ever looked at that was cheap , complete, and ridable that I passed on. It felt good :)

In the winter time when I'm in wrenching mode I tend to load up on bikes, then when it gets warm and I start to really enjoy my favorite bikes I start to think about quality rather than quantity and I start to think about trimming down my collection. How many bikes do I really need that I don't ever ride? The answer is zero.

So I think I can happily exist with just 4-6 bikes :) Sure, if the perfect flip opportunity presents itself I'll be forced to take it, but overall I'm going to try to stick to a smaller , more efficient collection of bikes.


At least until next winter.

I think something is going around, is that a symptom of swine flu? There was a nice 10 dollar fuji on CL a couple weeks ago and I didn't pursue it either.

I bought another bike yesterday, a top-of-the-line vintage Bianchi mountain bike, with Deore XT components. It was about to sell for a low price, so I went for it.

And afterwards, I really kind of feel bad about buying another bike-- I certainly don't need another one.

Hah, I can beat you all.

I checked North Jersey Craigslist a few days ago, saw nothing. But a little later I checked again, I really don't know why... and now there was a mid 70's Raleigh Competition in my size, 24" or so, in apparently unmolested "needs tires and a tuneup" condition. I don't remember the price, I think $175. I didn't even call. How's that for self control?

I'm pretty much on the wagon also. I think I'm about at the same space as -holiday76, but with a couple more bicycles.

My way of looking at it is - you discover what sort of riding you enjoy, then you find some bicycles that make that riding more pleasant, then you get the bikes set up how you like, then you ride - and then possibly come back and make adjustments. I'm at the point in life where I may have only another 30 years left to enjoy riding - which is the part I enjoy the most. I'd love to get to where I'm down to just routine maintenance - maybe a winter project for flipping to help pay for the parts that wear out - and riding. Perhaps when I get older, or am limited in my ability to ride, I'll get more into collecting, tinkering, building, or other stuff.

I've noticed that a couple of local flippers seem to be on the wagon also, they've been listing the same handful of bikes over and over for the last month or so.

That's a forum members bike :). - think its sold now. At least I hope it is....

I was referring to the Raleigh here. Stupid blackberry...

You are all so selfish. Its not about what you need, it is what the bicycles need.:)

In that case... I added another bike to the collection, but I didn't add any square footage to my apartment.

My bicycles need more space.

I'm pretty content with my current stable of bikes. Coaching my son's baseball team has cured me from looking for another deal - for now.

Although I will say I passed on an opportunity yesterday. I noticed some bike frames sitting behind some chairs at a house next to the one I was at. Of course, I had to take a look. The first was a decent looking Takara in pretty good shape. The other two were Novara's. I didn't even knock on the door.

with the Huret Jubilee?? Dang, that would have been tempting!

Heh. I was going to forward that CL bike to you but the forums were down. It looked like your size.

Pete

Ebay offerrings seem low - mainly in the bike parts area (lower demand/supply - I guess). I've been picking up some really good deals on parts with low bidder volume.

It's a good time to upgrade. Check out completed auctions in some areas of interest, you may be surprised.

I actually sold a bike today, ending a streak that has mostly seen bikes flowing in, not out. Of course, it was too small for me.

Neal

yep, i've slowed down too. the turning point was getting a storage space. i told myself that i's switch out the bikes occasionally and ride all of them. have i? no. time to unload. there are several that are going to go on the chopping block this summer, nothing spectacular, but i think i can get enough out of them to build up my atlantis very nicely.

Ugh. I have done well not buying (much) recently. Then I put a low-ball bid on an early Klein MTB on Ebay on Sun. Seller accepted the bid. Serious buyer's remorse immediately. It is a nice bike, but I have absolutely no need for it.

When am I finally going to learn that just because something is a good deal does not mean it is a good deal for me? Help? I need a buying buddy or something.

j

I would be quite happy to sink even further into the depths of velo insanity.

Sadly, all my local sources have been pretty worthless lately, I'm mostly broke, and I'm out of space.

So I should probably just finish some other projects. :D

At this point, I'd much rather get existing bikes in my collection up and running, than keep adding to my collection. Doesn't mean I won't bring something interesting home if something happens to strike my fancy, but I'm really getting tired of endless acquisition.

Compared with your LBS prices, a lot of things look like a bargain. :p

Some very wise words, Really I'm glad I have not found anything lately. What I have waiting in the project line is better than anything I generally find around here.

I'm here for you buddy. :)

Yeah, right. You are an enabler.

Redneckwes used to be a major dealer for me, but fortunately he seems to have gone straight. Unless he needs a Klein, that is...

j

I was going back and forth with a local CL seller today regarding an Austro-Daimler SLE, early 80s vintage I think that I have absolutely no use for (and I already have a Puch in the basement). He went from $175 to $70, but I just couldn't allow myself to pull the trigger with the bikes I already have...the frame looked a little small for me...at least that what I keep telling myself...:)

Every day I do not log onto Ebay is a good day. One day at a time. My name is Jim and I have not logged on to Ebay in 2 days.

j