Did you ever miss out on a bike that popped up for sale...
10-03-22, 01:41 PM
#26
Junior Member
I call that the vending machine of Life. Sometimes you get two Snickers bars, sometimes it gets stuck.
All evens out in the end (I hope).
All evens out in the end (I hope).
10-03-22, 02:01 PM
#27
2k miles from the midwest
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Nothing fancy. I was supposed to meet a seller for a Norco ST on a Saturday. On Friday she messages me and says she decided to sell it first come first serve. It seemed like a nice bike, reminded me of my 83 Centurion Pro Tour. I had a suspicion it's the same frame with a different name but alas. I could have just offered to send her a e transfer then pick it up but I wasn't sure if I could convert the 27" wheels to 700c.
....
....
10-03-22, 02:34 PM
#28
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Specialized Expedition on Ebay - labelled as "stretch bike" horrible pics - had too many bikes at the time, couldn't justify another - was a deal I likely won't match again
Various Merz Allez's - before I knew the difference, they were farther away or a few more bucks, so I let them go
Various Merz Allez's - before I knew the difference, they were farther away or a few more bucks, so I let them go
10-03-22, 03:21 PM
#29
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Yes, it was a beautiful 1989 Cinelli SC in pearl white. I did not really miss it, more like I bailed out of buying it. Got first dibs but I just could not make the numbers work out to fit my budget at that time, despite the seller willing to pare down the sale to mostly just the frameset with only the BB and headset, per my request. I was even going to drive all the way to Eureka from SF to pick it up and save a little bit from shipping.
I had to let it go to the next forum member in line.
I was really depressed about it for a while, but in the end, I was glad it went to a fellow Bike Forum member that can really appreciate it....
I had to let it go to the next forum member in line.
I was really depressed about it for a while, but in the end, I was glad it went to a fellow Bike Forum member that can really appreciate it....
Last edited by Chombi1; 10-03-22 at 03:25 PM.
10-03-22, 03:42 PM
#30
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I forgot-
Masi A57 1.S.1 was on eBay, $4k buy it now.
was very expensive at the time.
I owned a first batch bike previously.
yanked from offer before I could press the button.
so it goes. Someone has it.
there was a Confente on eBay- my size, crazy high price. Fortunately withdrawn before anyone could leap. Jim Cunningham made mention after that the family was just testing the valuation waters... that could have gotten ugly.
Specific Performance...
Masi A57 1.S.1 was on eBay, $4k buy it now.
was very expensive at the time.
I owned a first batch bike previously.
yanked from offer before I could press the button.
so it goes. Someone has it.
there was a Confente on eBay- my size, crazy high price. Fortunately withdrawn before anyone could leap. Jim Cunningham made mention after that the family was just testing the valuation waters... that could have gotten ugly.
Specific Performance...
10-03-22, 05:37 PM
#32
2k miles from the midwest
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I really like it as my go-to rig whenever I'm carrying less than 20lbs or so. It now has a VO front rack/basket for burritos, empanadas, and library books and an old Blackburn rear rack for heavier grocery runs. I'm sure it's relabeled as something else, Centurian, Nishiki, something.
10-03-22, 06:40 PM
#33
Happy With My Bikes
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The guy was selling a Norco, a Schwinn of some sort, and a crappy Allen bicycle rack. His buddy had left them all in his shop and he was going to sell it all to raise money for a case of beer. I didn't want the Schwinn or the rack, but the Norco I wanted to call my Canadian Takara and looked like a decent bike for the price. I didn't make a priority of going to look at it and then it was gone.
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"It is the unknown around the corner that turns my wheels." -- Heinz Stücke
"It is the unknown around the corner that turns my wheels." -- Heinz Stücke
Last edited by Chuck M; 10-03-22 at 07:30 PM.
10-03-22, 07:10 PM
#34
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Yeah- I found out who bought it and I bought it from him. For WAY too much money.
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*Recipient of the 2006 Time Magazine "Person Of The Year" Award*
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
10-03-22, 07:32 PM
#35
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...I guess I have enough bicycles where that was never a problem. Nobody gets every bike they inquire about on Craigslist. I think that's probably a positive, not a negative. You must be a lot of fun at closing time.
10-03-22, 07:42 PM
#36
Fuji Fan
I missed out on a nice deal on an Ebisu by being too late. I sold and had a chance to buy back a beautiful Motobecane LeChampion, but let it slip through my fingers. I won't lose much sleep though, because I've been luckier with bikes than unlucky.
I saw a purple Rivendell Saluki several years back, then the CL ad went down. I mentioned how I was sad that I missed it on the RBW list and the seller read that post, drove to Chicago for a wedding, I think, and delivered the bike as part of the sale. I love this bike!
I also got a NOS Fuji Design Series on Ebay around 2010 for a bargain price. I've tried a Colnago Master, 753 Waterford, Gios, Klein, and Litespeed Classic. Out of all the 80's and newer racing bikes, the Fuji is easily my favorite rider.
I saw a purple Rivendell Saluki several years back, then the CL ad went down. I mentioned how I was sad that I missed it on the RBW list and the seller read that post, drove to Chicago for a wedding, I think, and delivered the bike as part of the sale. I love this bike!
I also got a NOS Fuji Design Series on Ebay around 2010 for a bargain price. I've tried a Colnago Master, 753 Waterford, Gios, Klein, and Litespeed Classic. Out of all the 80's and newer racing bikes, the Fuji is easily my favorite rider.
10-03-22, 07:55 PM
#37
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A couple.
Late ‘60’s Mondia. Frame was too small but full Campagnolo and the guy only wanted $150. Had no-name brakes, too.
Second one was a mid ‘60’s Bianchi that was again all Campagnolo but had wood rims and bivalent hubs. That one was near San Antonio and the seller would not transport to a local shop for shipping.
Back in the late ‘90’s I did see a couple Confente bikes for sale in the $4k range.
And a beat up ‘60’s Cinelli that I should have jumped on.
so it goes
But, I have also gotten some pretty amazing bikes over the years. No major complaints. There’s another one around the corner
Late ‘60’s Mondia. Frame was too small but full Campagnolo and the guy only wanted $150. Had no-name brakes, too.
Second one was a mid ‘60’s Bianchi that was again all Campagnolo but had wood rims and bivalent hubs. That one was near San Antonio and the seller would not transport to a local shop for shipping.
Back in the late ‘90’s I did see a couple Confente bikes for sale in the $4k range.
And a beat up ‘60’s Cinelli that I should have jumped on.
so it goes
But, I have also gotten some pretty amazing bikes over the years. No major complaints. There’s another one around the corner
Last edited by satbuilder; 10-03-22 at 07:59 PM.
10-03-22, 08:21 PM
#38
Trekkie
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Really no, never, not at all. I've experienced a couple of different but possibly related circumstances however. Unhappy and happy.
Unhappy - I stupidly bought a skinny tire racing bike for my wife, she couldn't ride it at all, gave up after 10 minutes, and never rode it again. That was 30 years ago. That bike is down in the barn right now, having been ridden once for 10 minutes. I should sell it to someone who wants a nice vintage bike. Which brings me to. .. .
Happy - I've sold a couple bikes to people, really nice bikes, I sell my bikes by the person, not by the price, so it's been quite a pleasure to see the joy and exuberance of a new person owning and riding a bike that had done the same for me. Those are happy memories.
Unhappy - I stupidly bought a skinny tire racing bike for my wife, she couldn't ride it at all, gave up after 10 minutes, and never rode it again. That was 30 years ago. That bike is down in the barn right now, having been ridden once for 10 minutes. I should sell it to someone who wants a nice vintage bike. Which brings me to. .. .
Happy - I've sold a couple bikes to people, really nice bikes, I sell my bikes by the person, not by the price, so it's been quite a pleasure to see the joy and exuberance of a new person owning and riding a bike that had done the same for me. Those are happy memories.
10-03-22, 08:31 PM
#39
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A few years ago a Merz popped up locally and merziac wanted me to go get it for him. I had newborn twins and no cash or time. I don’t know if he found another facilitator
10-03-22, 08:53 PM
#40
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Besides this Kuwahara that just slipped out of my net, I can really only think of 2 others (and I've had hundreds of bikes go through my flippin' hands in the last 12-15 yrs.) A Trek 720 appeared one day, and it just looked right for me. I was faster than all but 1 other guy. Also, a sweet "Team Coors" Serotta popped up for a tidy $100 early one morning. Possible the same slightly quicker guy beat me to it.
10-03-22, 09:21 PM
#41
Passista
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Pinarello Gavia TSX frame and fork in my size, Record headset and BB, $200. I hesitated because decals were ghosts and paint had a lot of scratches, and it was gone.
10-03-22, 10:28 PM
#42
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Not vintage, but there was a modern classic Waterford (complete bike) that got reduced in price to the point where I should have bought it immediately. I waited a few days before I made up my mind to pull the trigger, but it sold in the meantime. That was a few months ago; I'll get over it. But not yet.
