Strategies for finding frames
 

I just got introduced to the wonderful world of cycling and vintage bicycles. I was gifted a Centurion Turbo one speed almost fully restored and LOVE it now I caught the bug and would like to embark on my own fixie project.

Where locally are you finding success finding old bikes? I'm not expecting to find some $800 Italian frame for a steal, rather something of decent quality that I can use to really learn the ins and outs of bike maintenance.

-Kevin

Where are you located?

Places I've gotten bikes:

. Thrift stores
. Craigslist
. Garage sales
. The dumpster
. The city dump
. Church tag sale
. Pawn shops
. Acquaintences

In short, always be on the look-out. Talk about it enough that those around you know you are interested in vintage bikes without being a bore. You don't find vintage bikes; vintage bikes find you.

When you find a bike and you're wondering if it's any good, look for:

. Lugged frames
. Forged dropouts
. Quality tubing (there's usually a decal saying what it is; look around the C&V forum to get a feel for what's good)
. Bikes with quality components (even if you think you might convert it to fixed)

Avoid:

. Stamped dropouts
. Department store bikes
. Bikes with low-end components (note that Shimano builds both high-end and low-end stuff)
. Just about any bike with "Sport" in the name. The Sport was often the low level/entry level bike in a company's lineup

I've hit up a few thrift shops so far but no success. I need to start making it a habit to check them out more. The guy at the LBS said that there are some seriously committed vintage gear heads in my area and wished me luck because they snatch up everything.

I'll definitely take your advice and get the word out that I'm trying to find vintage frames and who knows maybe I'll make a very generous friend.

I am located in Monterey Bay, California which includes Marina, Seaside, Monterey, Carmel, and Pebble Beach.

For your first excursion you might consider going with something on the less expensive side, and you probably want to stay away from vintage French and Italian bikes (at least for your first rodeo). Japanese bikes are a great starting point. Parts are generally standard sizes and good quality frames are plentiful and can frequently be had at a very reasonable price.

Miyata, Fuji, Univega, Nishiki...

I've gotten my best deals by posting WTB ads on craiglist. I simply say I'm looking for "x" and wait for offers.

Get used to the Murphy's Law of Collecting: If you really want a certain frame, or a certain type of frame, there will be none available anywhere except on eBay at five times it's real worth. And if you're not really looking for anything, miracles will suddenly happen.

Addendum: Pray that the fixie craze dies soon. At which point, nice frames will be a lot more available.

To find thrift store or garage sale deals, you either have to get super lucky (doubtful), or you have to spend a lot of time looking. Don't underestimate the time you will end up spending looking for such deals.

Or pay more and you can find decent deals on Craigs List or similar. On Craigs List, the best deals go super fast, so you have to be willing to jump in the car and chase after a deal any time of day, not just convenient times (thats when the competition is looking too). And you probably will need to be willing to drive farther distances, not just in your immediate area, to snag deals. And with the best deals, there is not enough time to do research, so the quicker you can spot a deal, the better your chances are of getting there first.

The more of these methods you are able to do, the better your scores.

And you have to be open to bikes not just your size, selling the ones that don't fit to fund bikes that do fit. 90% of the bikes I buy are not my size.

+1 All of the other ideas above are great too. Post a WTB ad in Craigs List frequently, check recycle centers, church sales, ads in the neighborhood newsletter, etc.

Thank you for all the great feedback. I've gone to the dump 3 times so far without any luck however I ran into and befriended a two gentlemen who also collect/restore vintage bikes. They were hesitant at first but eventually started giving me pointers and advice for local luck.

A Turbo "one speed almost fully restored"....??

I don't quite get it, and hope it's not what it sounds like.

If anything was ground/cut off, there's another word for it....just not my cup of tea.

Good luck.

I also find luck looking on porches and back yards. Check for auctions, garage sales, and craigslist, although I find that CL is rather overpriced here (then again, I am near Bloomington, IN and IU). If worse comes to worse, start knocking on doors.


And as far as low end and sports, if it's a Raleigh, Phillips, or other English "Sport" type bike, it might be heavy, but it certainly isn't low end.