Spaghetti Legs 

I know, heresy around here, but thought I'd put this out to the forum. For the past couple of years I've really thought I should sell a couple of my bikes to make room physically as well as fiscally for any new ones that might strike my fancy. I really like them all too much to really part ways and end up putting it off for another day. Most recently I determined that my Francesco Moser had to go. It had been months since I'd ridden it and in my collection it doesn't really stand out as special in the pantheon of Italian racing bikes. I originally bought it for the Super Record group; it was my first C/V bike, but it also happened to fit and I was pleased when I took it out for a spin before tearing it down. Well today I again made the mistake of taking it out for a ride and it blew me way with how fun it was. Crisp handling, smooth shifting and completely silent and fast! No rattles, no squeaks. So here we are again, no way I can sell this bike. Truth be told, with a few exceptions, most of my bikes are worth more to me than someone else and if I sold any of these at market rates, especially these days, I would feel like I was giving it away. Do any of you list a bike somewhere at a really high price and let sit for that one buyer looking for that exact thing? Example this Moser - Columbus SL, 51.151 pantographing, Super Record 6s group which today is probably worth maybe $600 - list it for $1200 or $1400 and be prepared to let it sit for a year, of course with some comment that I will continue to ride the bike and update with any changes in condition.

And please - no need to comment on valuation of this bike - it's not for sale and I'm not fishing for offers, just wanted to post an example and thought this topic was better for this forum.

Kobe 

I like the idea of N-1, but the reality is I like my little collection even if some have not been ridden in a few months. I have sold enough bike to know that I would miss them and just replace it with something similar. Keep the Moser, it's not costing you anything.

Phil_gretz

Sell blood plasma instead?

markwesti

I have 3 I'm building a 4th . I have 2 listed at what I think is a pretty fair price . My Nishiki is for sale and so is my track bike . I'm getting pretty much no interest . I will not list them for give away price . Obviously I have a small stable but my work space is even smaller . I also have a lot of parts most is not really high end stuff but to me killing half a day to sell something for $20.00 is not worth it .
N-1 according to the Velominati that is the one that separates you from your mate . I was getting pretty close to that , for real . So we had the talk , fortunately Ms.westi is a understanding woman but things have to be kept real , long story short 2 are for sale but she does not expect me to give away .

non-fixie 

Jon T

Well, if I did N-1 I'd have no bikes at all. I think I'll keep my Pug. Bought it new in '85. I'm kind of attached to it.
Jon

Slightspeed

My Clyclavia ride.

Same deal with me. Six bikes are a pain to store and to access the one I'm looking for. My 2002 Allez is kind of the odd bike out, neither modern, nor vintage. I've come close to selling it 3 or 4 times, but each time the buyer backed out. I only paid $399 new for it as a leftover when Performance stopped selling Specialized. It was a quick replacement for my steel Bianchi killed by a car. I've upgraded it with Easton carbon fork, Ultegra FD when the Sora broke, and 105 brakes. I rode it last month on the Cyclavia in Hollywood. It meant taking the Metro train, and dealing with the bike traffic on the "ride". Each time I drag it out, I realize how much fun it is to ride. I use it for post office and bank runs, where I can lock it up, and not worry too much about leaving it out of sight. I was kind of glad the sell offs fell thru. I know exactly how you feel. It's the one I care least about, but it brings a smile every time I drag it out.

Ominous cloud hanging over the Allez.

rccardr 

dweenk

I have decided to get to N-8. I have 4 road bikes for sale now, and will list 4 3 speeds soon. I got carried away with the hobby and do not want to be the guy who died with a garage full of bikes. My wife has been patient and even supportive at times (it keeps me out of trouble and at home), but I think it is time to let go.

nesteel 

List it. Who cares if it sits? At the end of the day, do you really care if it even sells?
Rider #11 just got put together, and I have four other projects in the build que. I enjoy it, but I do consider the stable full at the moment. Two are up for sale with very reasonable prices, and they're sitting, because the market sucks. They're cheap enough, and I still ride them, so they can wait patiently for the next owner. However, should the right project come along, I can and will drop the price on those two to make room for the next one if it warrants it.

ridelikeaturtle

I nearly sold one. But the guy who was looking at it said, "Do you think it's too much bike to lock up outside my office in city centre?"

(It's a very clean 2000 Bianchi M Alloy Pro, celeste & yellow, with Campy 9 speed. I was asking 680eur.)

me: "Yeah, that's certainly gonna attract a lot of unwanted attention."
him: "Would you take 500 for it?"
me: "No. And the price is now 800."
him: "Oh... OK."

And that was the last time I tried to sell one of my bikes. People just don't appreciate them - nevermind "as much as I would", but straight up not at all. Seriously, if you're gonna commute in city traffic every day and lock it to a street post or gate on a busy city street, in all weather, don't buy a well-cared-for Bianchi.

GrainBrain

If you're hung up on selling the Moser, have you considered giving it away? To me?

I hope to own a collection at some point, but honestly I don't want so many that I'm in your shoes. If it was me I'd trade it off for something in a different nich, like a nice gravel bike. A nice machine from each "focus" would be my style.

RiddleOfSteel

I understand N-1. I'm on the precipice of enacting N-2 or 3, with framesets to be sold as well. A combination of too many, not enough differentiation, with a few of the new ones (nice as they are!), a desire to have a lot more space in my apartment, and "I know what I like" after building and riding many bikes. There are good and great individual qualities in the ones I'm looking to sell, but the ones I'm keeping have many great qualities and after messing around with the new interesting things, loyalty to the ones I've had for longer burns fiercely and I stake my allegiance to those bikes.

madpogue 

N-1 is fine when it's called for. Remember, N-1 for you just means N+1 for someone else.......

due ruote 

Ex Pres 

I didn't think listing my '82 PX10 on here @ $375 meant that I would have to wait a year+ to sell, but here I sit. So I think you can feel safe (about not selling) just listing bikes.

seedsbelize 

My 92 Paramount PDG 7 has been on the block multiple times. It can be a harsh ride without good tires on it. But with good tires, and kept within its capabilities, it can give a fine ride. Truthfully speaking, in my market, the possibility of actually selling a 62 cm vintage bike is slim to none. Everybody wants plastic, and no bigger than 54 cm. It has sat unridden for months at a time though.

Spaghetti Legs 

markwesti

Man I don't read the rules enough Velominati ? The Rules . It's s-1
Festum Prophetae

rccardr 

ryansu

In the spring I did a clear out, mostly to sell projects I was never going to finish and make space, I was down to 3 bikes....I am back to 6 right now, two of which are going to get sold as they don't fit which I guess will make room for more that do. I have sworn off stem shifter and safety lever bikes, for now, which has helped.

Drillium Dude 

I sold one this year - but I kinda cheated 'cause I only sold the frame/fork/HS/gear levers/BB and not a complete bike. So N-(1/3) here. It doesn't hurt nearly as bad as one would think

DD

scozim 

I've got 3-4 that I keep telling myself I need to strip and sell/give away the frame or just sell the bike. Still haven't gotten around to it. For the most part they all get ridden every year to some degree.

Spaghetti Legs 

randyjawa 

Though not exactly how I would have said it, I do, none the less, absolutely agree with non-fixie on this issue. That said...

I get a kick and a chuckle when I hear other forum members insist that "bikes are made to be ridden". Think about this...

Of the eight million, or so, bikes produced every year, how many were made to be ridden? Very darn few, in my opinion. The bikes were made to make profit, simple as that, in my opinion.