NOS Frames?
#1
NOS Frames?
Where are they? I mean, when a manufacturer produces frames, they must produce at least a couple hundred more than demand. So where do they all go? Say a KHS Flite 100 frame for example. The 2004 model is out now, so where are all the 2003 frames? Do the manufacturers recall the frames and melt them down to make the new line?
I would think that there's a warehouse out there somewhere with all these old frames in it. Anyone have more knowledge about all this? More theories perhaps?
I would think that there's a warehouse out there somewhere with all these old frames in it. Anyone have more knowledge about all this? More theories perhaps?
#2
I suspect they just repaint them with the current color.
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I'm not one for fawning over bicycles, but I do believe that our bikes communicate with us, and what this bike is saying is, "You're an idiot." BikeSnobNYC
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#3
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Portland, Oregon
Bikes: 95 GT Force, 95 Gary Fisher Hookooekoo, 75 Takara fixie
I have the same question. On fixedgeargallery.com a guy has a NOS 1989 Colnago! Where do they come from? I shall leave no stone unturned.
#4
Senior Member

Joined: Feb 2004
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From: The Poconos, PA
Bikes: Converted 1997 Trek Singletrack 930 singlespeed and a Kona Lavadome singlespeed, fixed Dahon folding bike, fixed 27" Miyata road bike, early 70's Raleigh Chopper
Probably in some unused backroom of an LBS waiting to be put up for auction on Ebay only to fetch the finder a good sum of money!
#5
Industry Maven

Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Wherever good bikes are sold
Bikes: Thylacines...only Thylacines.
You're assuming that companies produce more than the demand. They don't. They produce less. Any NOS usually comes from some crusty shop that has had some stock lying around, or a wholesaler has some older frame that get lost in the warehouse before someone discovers them.
What happens increasingly these days, is mail order places buy up all the remaining stock at the end of a season for a discount and liqidates them.
What happens increasingly these days, is mail order places buy up all the remaining stock at the end of a season for a discount and liqidates them.
#6
Originally Posted by little5guy
I have the same question. On fixedgeargallery.com a guy has a NOS 1989 Colnago! Where do they come from? I shall leave no stone unturned.
I saw this on Monday and almost fell over. What a beaut!
#9
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Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Portland Oregon
Bikes: Litespeed Arenberg, Litespeed Atlas, Fuji Track, Trek Fuel 90, Felt S32 TT bike, Bianchi Axis '05, and a lot of older bikes...
Depending on the bike manufacturer- they have a lot of ways to get rid of last years frame. It may be this year's frame in another country...
Seriously this does happen with all sorts of manufactured products.
On bicycles though- some mfg'ers like American Bicycle Group have their own outlet online (www.preownedbikes.com if I remember right) others may use ebay under a subsidiary's name to not peeve their dealers. Others still may just sell the lot to a 3rd party like PricePoint or JensonUSA for disposal. These new owners have bought the frames/bikes as an investment. They are likely to wait until whever they think they can get top dollar to sell. I have a high school friend who's dad bought 4 of the last VW Bug convertibles made in Germany in the late 70's and still has them in storage as an investment. People do wierd things.
Look at all the '02 and '03 Jamis Nova frames still around when you can't get an '04 anywhere. Jamis over-corrected and stocked-out early this year on that bike.
If the bike is built- I don't think the mfg'er is going to pay to have the bike disassembled and then re-painted as mentioned in an earlier post. I work for a large consumer products company- this just doesn't make sense.
Seriously this does happen with all sorts of manufactured products.
On bicycles though- some mfg'ers like American Bicycle Group have their own outlet online (www.preownedbikes.com if I remember right) others may use ebay under a subsidiary's name to not peeve their dealers. Others still may just sell the lot to a 3rd party like PricePoint or JensonUSA for disposal. These new owners have bought the frames/bikes as an investment. They are likely to wait until whever they think they can get top dollar to sell. I have a high school friend who's dad bought 4 of the last VW Bug convertibles made in Germany in the late 70's and still has them in storage as an investment. People do wierd things.
Look at all the '02 and '03 Jamis Nova frames still around when you can't get an '04 anywhere. Jamis over-corrected and stocked-out early this year on that bike.
If the bike is built- I don't think the mfg'er is going to pay to have the bike disassembled and then re-painted as mentioned in an earlier post. I work for a large consumer products company- this just doesn't make sense.
#11
The Colnago's pretty sweet, but I generally like their more subdued stuff. But frankly, I'd go for *any* Colnago. 
Speaking of which: https://www.zweknu.org/blog/index.rhtml?s=p@633&c=T

Speaking of which: https://www.zweknu.org/blog/index.rhtml?s=p@633&c=T
#12
www.cambribikes.com
They have several NOS frames and claim to have 25 NOS Colnago. If anyone does phone for prices, please post here.
They have several NOS frames and claim to have 25 NOS Colnago. If anyone does phone for prices, please post here.
#14
troglodyte

Joined: Jul 2004
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From: the tunnels
Bikes: Crust Romanceur, VO Polyvalent, Surly Steamroller, others?
#15
All Things Go

Joined: Feb 2004
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From: dayton, oh
Bikes: 01 bianchi pista, custom. 04 felt f-15, full record.
Originally Posted by Thylacine
Someone should tell that guy he threw up on his frame on Saturday night. Gawd, isn't Eurotrash cool?
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#17
these guys have a few:
https://secure.netonline.nl/ssl/rena...opean.asp?t=51
just got an NOS colnago bititan to play around with
https://secure.netonline.nl/ssl/rena...opean.asp?t=51
just got an NOS colnago bititan to play around with
#18
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Joined: Aug 2004
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Most NOS come from shops who had them for a long time in storage, builders who decide to just shelve them since some people have the frame and was in an accident they can buy it without the builder rebuilding the frame again and the maker no longer stock that model, builders also sell to local shops they know and give a discount to them to off load them.
S/F,
CEYA!
S/F,
CEYA!
#19
Originally Posted by labratmatt
I assume you're talking about this one:
I saw this on Monday and almost fell over. What a beaut!
I saw this on Monday and almost fell over. What a beaut!
if i had to nit pick... the high-flange front hub isnt cool.. and the paintjob could be 'quietier'... but still my favorite bike on the fg gallery.........
my local shop has a ton of NOS mercian frames... and im talking n.OLDDDDD.stock... pretty, simple, frames.. but piss-poor paint jobs (lugs outlined by a monkey)
#22
Gizmo

Joined: May 2004
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From: Austin, TX
Bikes: custom Moyer track bike, '94 Bianchi track bike, 99ish Bianchi Reparto Corsa 9speed record/chorus, '81ish Koga Miyata FullPro, '84 trek 720 touring bike, mid-80s Montagner slowly being built w/period campy
Originally Posted by redfooj
if i had to nit pick... the high-flange front hub isnt cool.. and the paintjob could be 'quietier'... but still my favorite bike on the fg gallery.........
my local shop has a ton of NOS mercian frames... and im talking n.OLDDDDD.stock... pretty, simple, frames.. but piss-poor paint jobs (lugs outlined by a monkey)
my local shop has a ton of NOS mercian frames... and im talking n.OLDDDDD.stock... pretty, simple, frames.. but piss-poor paint jobs (lugs outlined by a monkey)






