Flippers !
#26
weapons-grade bolognium


Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 6,608
Likes: 3,309
From: Across the street from Chicago
Bikes: Battaglin Cromor, Ciocc Designer 84, Schwinn Superior 1981
I troll garage sales looking for LPs. As a by-product, I often find bikes. I enjoy wrenching on bikes, and can't resist bargins. I have learned to stay away from total basket case bikes. It's usually not worth the time to get them back up and running. I can never seem to find bikes my size (57-58 cm) Most bikes I find are too small, too big, or too French.
Novara Touring bike: paid $5 sold: $277

Trek 400 Elance w/531 frame: paid: $70 sold: $303

Peugeot paid: $5 sold: $176

Trek 400 paid: $1 (the guy tried to talk me out of it) sold: $77

Fuji Mountain bike Found in trash missing front wheel. Built it up for my girlfriend, but it was too small Sold: $86
Novara Touring bike: paid $5 sold: $277

Trek 400 Elance w/531 frame: paid: $70 sold: $303

Peugeot paid: $5 sold: $176

Trek 400 paid: $1 (the guy tried to talk me out of it) sold: $77

Fuji Mountain bike Found in trash missing front wheel. Built it up for my girlfriend, but it was too small Sold: $86
#27
You gonna eat that?
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,917
Likes: 543
From: Fort Worth, Texas Church of Hopeful Uncertainty
Bikes: 1966 Raleigh DL-1 Tourist, 1973 Schwinn Varsity, 1983 Raleigh Marathon, 1994 Nishiki Sport XRS
#29
Found this one at a tag sale, and bought it as a combo "hobby project"/"flipper". Had a buyer lined up within minutes of "post time". It is very difficult right now to find any affordable bikes on Craig's List around my area.
#32
Muscle bike design spec
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,688
Likes: 3
From: Sterling VA
Bikes: 70 Atala Record Proffesional, 00 Lemond, 08 Kestrel Evoke, 96 Colnago Master Olympic, 01 Colnago Ovalmaster, 76 Raleigh Gran Sport, 03 Fuji World, 86 Paramount, 90 Miyata CF, 09 Ritchey Breakaway CX, Bianchi Trofeo, 12 OutRiderUSA HyperLite
I got this triple butted Giant yesterday at a boy scout sale for $40. I replaced the saddle, cleaned her up, and sold her for $200 today. Why? I like working on bikes, my tire bill for my stable could pay someones monthly cell charges. I also bought a SWOBO 100% merino wool jersey for $60 shipped - with bike cash!


__________________
Korval is Ships
See my Hyperlite 411 it's the photo model on OutRiderUSA web page
See my Hyperlite 411 it's the photo model on OutRiderUSA web page
#33
Senior Member

Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 530
Likes: 2
From: SRQ
Bikes: '69 Raleigh DL-1, '72 Paramount, '75 Eisentraut, '80 A-D Vent Noir II, '82 A-D Inter 10, '83 Motobecane Grand Touring, '83 Stumpjumper, '84 Masi GC, '87 Recherche, '87 Tesch 101, '88 Tesch S-22, '88 Davidson...
I think we've started something.
#35
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 970
Likes: 3
Bikes: 1989 Dahon Stainless Classic III Folder - 1990 Dahon Mariner Classic III Folder - 2005 Dahon Jetstream P8 Full Suspension Folder
Dahon Mariner D7 after I used teh fenders rack and seatpost on my Dahon Jetstream P8 (paid $177 - sold $220)

Cannondale H300 (paid $90 - sold $259)

Madwagon (paid $15 - sold $140)

Cannondale H300 (paid $90 - sold $259)

Madwagon (paid $15 - sold $140)
Last edited by kingfish254; 01-21-10 at 08:32 PM.
#36
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 970
Likes: 3
Bikes: 1989 Dahon Stainless Classic III Folder - 1990 Dahon Mariner Classic III Folder - 2005 Dahon Jetstream P8 Full Suspension Folder
Lee Iacocca EBike (paid $160 - sold $379)

Dahon Jetstream P8s - (paid $1460 for four - kept one and sold three for $1640) - This is still my main ride

Dahon Mariner 26 (bought two for $125 - sold two for $325)

Dahon Jetstream P8s - (paid $1460 for four - kept one and sold three for $1640) - This is still my main ride

Dahon Mariner 26 (bought two for $125 - sold two for $325)
#37
With my newly opened foreign market I've been attempting to flip every bike I own except a few. Purchased most of them for less than $10, selling them all for $20 each. Most are just old cruisers and 3 speeds from the 30s-60s, but there's a few 70s and 80s 10 speed bikes in there.
#39
Senior Member

Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,136
Likes: 212
Bikes: Mongoose Crossway, Bianchi Grizzly, Cannondale F700,
+1 One of the keys of success on trolling garage sales and thrift stores is that you really need a second, more common item to look for. Good bikes are relatively rare, so if that is all you are looking for, you will get tired of trolling pretty quickly. We look for good consignment clothing. It is relatively common (1 out of 10 garage sales, 1 out of 5 thrift stores). Bikes are more like 1 out of 200 garage sales.
I have been flipping Bikes on CL for over three years. I can't believe how much money I get for them. Mountain Bikes do not sell that well, although a profit is always made. But Road Bikes just floor me. I can't believe what people are willing to pay for them. Sometimes I find a super nice Bike, and can understand. But I never do anything to the Bikes I sell, except clean them. I did put Tires, and Tubes on a Japanese Soma that I liked. Sold it for $180. I have made almost $4000 in the time I have been selling them. The Peugeot I found last night for $20 should make some nice coin.
I prefer Hybrid Bikes for myself. Not much of a Road Biker.
#40
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 970
Likes: 3
Bikes: 1989 Dahon Stainless Classic III Folder - 1990 Dahon Mariner Classic III Folder - 2005 Dahon Jetstream P8 Full Suspension Folder
#42
Man I loved that town...it's like New Orleans without the crime.
#43
Just keep pedalling!
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 439
Likes: 1
From: Spring, TX
Bikes: 1987 Schwinn Circuit, 1987 Panasonic DX-4000, 1984 Peugeot PSV10, 1989 Centurion Prestige, 1973 Raleigh Sprite, 1987 Peugeot Canyon Express, ~1986 Raleigh Capri, 1994 Trek 850, 1984 Centurion Pro Tour 15, 2012 Gravity Zilla
I flip because I like to work on bikes. I'm bad about getting attached.
Flipped:
Mid 80s Schwinn Caliente

International Bicycle Co.
Shogun Hi-Ten
Centurion Cavaletto
No name bike
Huffy POS, tried to trade for beer, but got $20 instead
Raleigh Pursuit
Trying to flip:
70s Raleigh Sprite
Raleigh Mixte
1984 Schwinn World Sport
Flipped:
Mid 80s Schwinn Caliente

International Bicycle Co.
Shogun Hi-Ten
Centurion Cavaletto
No name bike
Huffy POS, tried to trade for beer, but got $20 instead
Raleigh Pursuit
Trying to flip:
70s Raleigh Sprite
Raleigh Mixte
1984 Schwinn World Sport
Last edited by big_heineken; 01-22-10 at 11:20 AM. Reason: Tried to fix the spacing
#44
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 444
Likes: 0
From: Big Rapids, MI
Bikes: 81 or 82 Mayata 912, Mystery Peugeot
I flip for fun. I haven't done it as much since I moved. Here's my best flip $ wise. Paid $40 sold $200 next day with $17 in parts put into it. Not amazing compared to some here, but I was happy with it.
Bridgestone 450
Bridgestone 450
#45
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 970
Likes: 3
Bikes: 1989 Dahon Stainless Classic III Folder - 1990 Dahon Mariner Classic III Folder - 2005 Dahon Jetstream P8 Full Suspension Folder
Now I'm totally green with envy...I took Mrs. Cloud for a vacation there 3 or 4 years ago for 2 weeks. We stayed in one of those federal style row houses that was converted into a bed and breakfast. We took a couple of days to drive up to Charleston and Hilton Head, but spent most of the time relaxing in the squares. I'd move there tomorrow. Hoist a beer for me in Churchills.
Man I loved that town...it's like New Orleans without the crime. 
Man I loved that town...it's like New Orleans without the crime. 
#47
Senior Member


Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,095
Likes: 809
From: Ridgewood, Queens
Bikes: Zunow, 3Rensho, Look KG196
some of these i bought / built with the express intention to sell, others I built for myself and sold later.


















__________________
Check out www.djcatnap.com for articles on vintage Japanese & French bicycle restorations, components and history.
Check out www.djcatnap.com for articles on vintage Japanese & French bicycle restorations, components and history.
#48
WV is not flat..

Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,447
Likes: 593
From: Charles Town,Wv.
Bikes: 1 away from divorce!
This is a bitter sweet flip. I got this from a co-worker for $50, fixed it up and sold it for $350. I really did like the looks of it when I finished, but it was way too small for me. I regret not having it in the collection though.


#49
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 970
Likes: 3
Bikes: 1989 Dahon Stainless Classic III Folder - 1990 Dahon Mariner Classic III Folder - 2005 Dahon Jetstream P8 Full Suspension Folder
1996 Cannondale M300 SE
Paid= $50 Sold= $180 (8 days later)
Last edited by kingfish254; 01-29-10 at 04:39 PM.
#50
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 659
Likes: 1
1995ish Bianchi Trofeo
Paid $150, added 8s ergos ($50) and new cranks ($25), sold for $450

1991 Miyata 1000 LT
$250 + rims (trade) and saddle ($25), sold for $660

Schwinn Prelude single speed
$60, new tires ($20), sold for $140
Paid $150, added 8s ergos ($50) and new cranks ($25), sold for $450

1991 Miyata 1000 LT
$250 + rims (trade) and saddle ($25), sold for $660

Schwinn Prelude single speed
$60, new tires ($20), sold for $140







