Bike Flipping 101
#602
Senior member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 175
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 66 Post(s)
Liked 124 Times
in
51 Posts
Here rigid 90s mountain bikes are in big demand as so many people get back into cycling. They make perfect all-rounder bikes and they're simple. If it's got a cool 90s paint job like a fade or splatter paint, they go for even more. Easily $350 for a nice example.
Likes For kross57:
#604
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: SoCal
Posts: 2,301
Bikes: Cuevas Custom, Cimmaron, 1988 "Pinalized Rockma", 1984 Trek 510, Moulton custom touring, Raleigh Competition GS, Bridgestone Mb-2 & 3, 1980's Peugeot - US, City, & Canyon Express (6)
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1099 Post(s)
Liked 3,757 Times
in
1,842 Posts
Tires, tires, tires, replacing tires and tubes costs money. Take time to inspect the bike for damage and replaced parts. Do your research, particularly the model, most bike makers made a wide range of quality. Look at group set/components and tubing over brand often find better deals that way. Be patient and wait for the deals, if you can. Be ready to buy when you find something and don't wait, the good deals go fast.
#605
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: SoCal
Posts: 2,301
Bikes: Cuevas Custom, Cimmaron, 1988 "Pinalized Rockma", 1984 Trek 510, Moulton custom touring, Raleigh Competition GS, Bridgestone Mb-2 & 3, 1980's Peugeot - US, City, & Canyon Express (6)
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1099 Post(s)
Liked 3,757 Times
in
1,842 Posts
#606
Junior Member
I think a sticky thread on flipping is a great idea for a place where flippers and wannabe flippers can share tips on what they do and how they do it. As for flipping as a way to a self-supporting bike habit I don't see that as a realistic goal. I flipped around 25 bikes in the last year and each and every one of them was considerably improved and immaculately cleaned. You can buy cheap, be careful about what you buy, know your target market--I live in a city with a large university so a good share of my flippers went to students--stockpile parts, buy cheap but decent parts when you need to but in the end any hope of really making a profit goes directly to the term 'opportunity cost' from Econ 101, i.e. could the time you spend on your flippers have been invested more profitably elsewhere. For me its a hobby and an avocation but my wife, who is a wonderful person but far too mercenary in this respect constantly harps about me not recovering the cost for my labor, Pedro's bike wash, chain lube, Phil Wood waterproof grease, the rags I wash in our washer and dry in our dryer, the solvent I use to clean up dead and damaged parts so the recycling dude will pick them up at our curbside dropoff, and generally ignores me when I say 'but honey it's a hobby fer chrissakes, would you rather have me collecting Corvettes and chasing hookers?'
#607
Junior Member
- When buying, look for original and complete bikes.
- Avoid housepaint.
- Avoid bikes missing parts; sometimes they are missing the most expensive or hardest-to-find parts.
- Don't overpay. Wait for a good deal.
- When you find a good deal, be sure to have the cash and the storage space
- Collectibles are down, riders are up
- Avoid housepaint.
- Avoid bikes missing parts; sometimes they are missing the most expensive or hardest-to-find parts.
- Don't overpay. Wait for a good deal.
- When you find a good deal, be sure to have the cash and the storage space
- Collectibles are down, riders are up
Thanks so much for the advice!
#608
Member
Bikes are in high demand in the city. The subway has a high risk of infection, making more people willing to cycle. I made a long term loan to a nurse who came to the city to help with the pandemic. I don't even know the person so I look at it as a charitable act. I hope to get the bike back but I also know that I took a risk and may not see it again.
#609
aka Tom Reingold
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 40,504
Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem
Mentioned: 511 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 7350 Post(s)
Liked 2,475 Times
in
1,438 Posts
I did get it back and in fine condition. It is a fixed gear bike. I didn't have time to make it easier for the uninitiated, and the person had never ridden a fixed gear. Luckily they were the type of person who adapts easily to riding fixed. I got no trouble reports.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#610
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: Inside a brick pizza oven called Phoenix.
Posts: 18
Bikes: 1992 Bridgestone MB-1, Nishiki Maxima, ‘72 Raleigh Proffessional Mark IV, 1990 Klein track bike, ‘95 Cannondale Silk Road, State Bicycle Co. custom “Fixie”, Custom eBike I named it my UAV (Urban Assault Vehicle), 2010 Novara Randonee
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Liked 7 Times
in
7 Posts
#611
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2021
Location: Inside a brick pizza oven called Phoenix.
Posts: 18
Bikes: 1992 Bridgestone MB-1, Nishiki Maxima, ‘72 Raleigh Proffessional Mark IV, 1990 Klein track bike, ‘95 Cannondale Silk Road, State Bicycle Co. custom “Fixie”, Custom eBike I named it my UAV (Urban Assault Vehicle), 2010 Novara Randonee
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Liked 7 Times
in
7 Posts
I think a sticky thread on flipping is a great idea for a place where flippers and wannabe flippers can share tips on what they do and how they do it. As for flipping as a way to a self-supporting bike habit I don't see that as a realistic goal. I flipped around 25 bikes in the last year and each and every one of them was considerably improved and immaculately cleaned. You can buy cheap, be careful about what you buy, know your target market--I live in a city with a large university so a good share of my flippers went to students--stockpile parts, buy cheap but decent parts when you need to but in the end any hope of really making a profit goes directly to the term 'opportunity cost' from Econ 101, i.e. could the time you spend on your flippers have been invested more profitably elsewhere. For me its a hobby and an avocation but my wife, who is a wonderful person but far too mercenary in this respect constantly harps about me not recovering the cost for my labor, Pedro's bike wash, chain lube, Phil Wood waterproof grease, the rags I wash in our washer and dry in our dryer, the solvent I use to clean up dead and damaged parts so the recycling dude will pick them up at our curbside dropoff, and generally ignores me when I say 'but honey it's a hobby fer chrissakes, would you rather have me collecting Corvettes and chasing hookers?'
Likes For Franken Stone:
#612
Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Posts: 42
Bikes: Giant Trace 2 '16, Pinarello Asolo, 80's Gardin (TNT?), Miele's, Falcon Team Banana, Marinoni Delta Dura Ace 25th Anniversary, '94 KHS ZH2B Aero Turbo, Raleigh R700 '99, Fuji Ace '88, Softride Powercurve, Norco's, Devinci's
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Liked 7 Times
in
5 Posts
Still love his thread!
I am selling around 10-15 bikes a year here in the Toronto area, just as a hobby, and have never seen a hotter market than the one we are in currently...Good advice above, but one thing I have noticed is that buyers are paying attention to ratings on Kijiji. I use Kijiji as my primary buy & sell site (Facebook Marketplace a close second, for buying), and my last couple of sales have been, in part, due to having a dozen 5 star ratings on Kijiji, according to the buyers. If you are selling bikes at a higher level, or at good (but not gouging!) price, these ratings are a definite factor.
I guess the moral is; always respond promptly and politely, even with the trolls and silly low--ball offers. Treat your buyers well, be patient, honest, and be clear in your advertising. Also, offer some back-up, like a phone number for any questions after they take the bike. Not everyone will want to do this, but I have offered a no-questions asked 3 day return and refund to the buyers of the last 60 or so bikes I have sold. I tell them if they have `buyers remorse` they can bring the bike back in the same condition and I`ll give them a refund. This really reassures the buyer and leaves them feeling good. Guess how many people have brought a bike back to me.....not a single one
I am selling around 10-15 bikes a year here in the Toronto area, just as a hobby, and have never seen a hotter market than the one we are in currently...Good advice above, but one thing I have noticed is that buyers are paying attention to ratings on Kijiji. I use Kijiji as my primary buy & sell site (Facebook Marketplace a close second, for buying), and my last couple of sales have been, in part, due to having a dozen 5 star ratings on Kijiji, according to the buyers. If you are selling bikes at a higher level, or at good (but not gouging!) price, these ratings are a definite factor.
I guess the moral is; always respond promptly and politely, even with the trolls and silly low--ball offers. Treat your buyers well, be patient, honest, and be clear in your advertising. Also, offer some back-up, like a phone number for any questions after they take the bike. Not everyone will want to do this, but I have offered a no-questions asked 3 day return and refund to the buyers of the last 60 or so bikes I have sold. I tell them if they have `buyers remorse` they can bring the bike back in the same condition and I`ll give them a refund. This really reassures the buyer and leaves them feeling good. Guess how many people have brought a bike back to me.....not a single one
Likes For messinbessin:
#613
OldBikeGuide.com
#614
Newbie
Is it just me or has it become harder to sell vintage bikes to normal people? People seem to be unwilling to pay anything for a steel bike these days, especially now when you can pick up an aluminum bike with sti levers for 250$.
Likes For Mr.Toolbox:
#615
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: SF Bay Area, East bay
Posts: 7,663
Bikes: Miyata 618 GT, Marinoni, Kestral 200 2002 Trek 5200, KHS Flite, Koga Miyata, Schwinn Spitfire 5, Mondia Special, Univega Alpina, Miyata team Ti, Santa Cruz Highball
Mentioned: 53 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1610 Post(s)
Liked 2,593 Times
in
1,225 Posts
I was at a swap recently and watched while a tall teen test rode a Juvela. He hopped off and said the gears were hard to get used to and the brakes were weak. Going to be harder selling to an indexed, disc brake crowd.
#616
Long time part timer
how goes it?
Just wondering what people are seeing out there right now.
I'm not a big time flipper but I have sold a few bikes here and there. I do it more as a hobby, giving myself something to do when it's raining or during the dark and cold winter months, and I enjoy keeping a bicycle on the road. I try to "make" a certain amount on a bike - but I tell people if I actually paid myself for labor I'd lose money on every bike I sell.
I have had a couple of bikes for sale recently and not only have they not sold but there has been near zero interest - something that wouldn't have happened even a couple of months ago. I guess this was to be expected because a) shops and stores in my area have been getting bikes in again, b) the general riding season is almost over (in the NE) and c) maybe the Covid bike boom is coming to an end (?)
I'm not a big time flipper but I have sold a few bikes here and there. I do it more as a hobby, giving myself something to do when it's raining or during the dark and cold winter months, and I enjoy keeping a bicycle on the road. I try to "make" a certain amount on a bike - but I tell people if I actually paid myself for labor I'd lose money on every bike I sell.
I have had a couple of bikes for sale recently and not only have they not sold but there has been near zero interest - something that wouldn't have happened even a couple of months ago. I guess this was to be expected because a) shops and stores in my area have been getting bikes in again, b) the general riding season is almost over (in the NE) and c) maybe the Covid bike boom is coming to an end (?)
#617
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: SF Bay Area, East bay
Posts: 7,663
Bikes: Miyata 618 GT, Marinoni, Kestral 200 2002 Trek 5200, KHS Flite, Koga Miyata, Schwinn Spitfire 5, Mondia Special, Univega Alpina, Miyata team Ti, Santa Cruz Highball
Mentioned: 53 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1610 Post(s)
Liked 2,593 Times
in
1,225 Posts
Pretty much crickets. I've bought and repaired a few for friends. A lot of people downsizing and dumping some pretty good bargains.
#618
OldBikeGuide.com
This is always a slow time.
The student needs have been filled and the weather is getting cooler.
Sit tight.
Don't drop your prices trying to unload one, things will start moving again in a few weeks.
The student needs have been filled and the weather is getting cooler.
Sit tight.
Don't drop your prices trying to unload one, things will start moving again in a few weeks.
#619
Thrifty Bill
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Mountains of Western NC
Posts: 23,526
Bikes: 86 Katakura Silk, 87 Prologue X2, 88 Cimarron LE, 1975 Sekai 4000 Professional, 73 Paramount, plus more
Mentioned: 96 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1236 Post(s)
Liked 964 Times
in
628 Posts
It's all about location. If you live in a strong market, great. In soft markets, not so hot.
Meanwhile, vintage parts are doing as well or better than ever. Sadly, some of the nicer stuff, a part out can yield 2X, 3X or even more than selling the bike complete. It's a shame. I have sold several bikes complete recently, at a discount. And I have parted out several as well. Part outs where the bike is incomplete, or has serious damage, are easier decisions.
And some of the 1980s MTB parts cross into the vintage BMX market that is still hot. Some road stuff also crosses into BMX. I had a 600 arabesque double crankset recently. As a road double, it was worth X. With just a single ring with single ring bolts, it was worth 2X. So I went the 2X route.
You do risk discounting a complete bike, only to have the buyer turn around and part it out.
Meanwhile, vintage parts are doing as well or better than ever. Sadly, some of the nicer stuff, a part out can yield 2X, 3X or even more than selling the bike complete. It's a shame. I have sold several bikes complete recently, at a discount. And I have parted out several as well. Part outs where the bike is incomplete, or has serious damage, are easier decisions.
And some of the 1980s MTB parts cross into the vintage BMX market that is still hot. Some road stuff also crosses into BMX. I had a 600 arabesque double crankset recently. As a road double, it was worth X. With just a single ring with single ring bolts, it was worth 2X. So I went the 2X route.
You do risk discounting a complete bike, only to have the buyer turn around and part it out.
#620
Senior Member
Just wondering what people are seeing out there right now.
I'm not a big time flipper but I have sold a few bikes here and there. I do it more as a hobby, giving myself something to do when it's raining or during the dark and cold winter months, and I enjoy keeping a bicycle on the road. I try to "make" a certain amount on a bike - but I tell people if I actually paid myself for labor I'd lose money on every bike I sell.
I have had a couple of bikes for sale recently and not only have they not sold but there has been near zero interest - something that wouldn't have happened even a couple of months ago. I guess this was to be expected because a) shops and stores in my area have been getting bikes in again, b) the general riding season is almost over (in the NE) and c) maybe the Covid bike boom is coming to an end (?)
I'm not a big time flipper but I have sold a few bikes here and there. I do it more as a hobby, giving myself something to do when it's raining or during the dark and cold winter months, and I enjoy keeping a bicycle on the road. I try to "make" a certain amount on a bike - but I tell people if I actually paid myself for labor I'd lose money on every bike I sell.
I have had a couple of bikes for sale recently and not only have they not sold but there has been near zero interest - something that wouldn't have happened even a couple of months ago. I guess this was to be expected because a) shops and stores in my area have been getting bikes in again, b) the general riding season is almost over (in the NE) and c) maybe the Covid bike boom is coming to an end (?)
#621
Senior member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 175
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 66 Post(s)
Liked 124 Times
in
51 Posts
Yep, winter is "buying and wrenching" season for me. I'm going back through my "saved" ads on FB & CL to see which bikes are still around and if the owners want to drop prices.
#622
OldBikeGuide.com
I'm out of the buying and selling business but I did make some of my best purchases in the winter.
#623
Junior Member
Join Date: Feb 2021
Posts: 13
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
2 Posts
Remember from last year in the spring a lot of people were cleaning out their garages since they couldn't go anywhere. Hope to see some old bikes posted this spring.
#624
Newbie
Join Date: Mar 2022
Location: Savannah, GA, USA
Posts: 17
Bikes: 1968 Chrome Paramount, 1968 Chrome Paramount, 1972 Chrome Paramount, 1980 Eddy Merckx Professional, 1989 Paramount, 1976 Raleigh International, 2005 Cervelo P2, 2005 Bianchi Veloce, 1974 Schwinn Le Tour. 1952 Schwinn Cycle Truck, 1970 Schwinn Cotton
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6 Post(s)
Liked 23 Times
in
3 Posts
Thanks, this reply was especially helpful.