n+1 stalling tactic
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n+1 stalling tactic
I've pretty much always got the urge to get new bikes. The one exception is when I'm riding one particular bike. It just rides so wonderfully and fits so well, I can't imagine being happier on a bike. The only problem is my aesthetic tastes have changed since I got it and the finish doesn't really move me anymore. I'm thinking maybe I can avoid buying a new bike (that I really can't afford) by spending half that on refinishing. Has anybody used this as a n+1 stalling tactic? Could this really work?
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I've pretty much always got the urge to get new bikes. The one exception is when I'm riding one particular bike. It just rides so wonderfully and fits so well, I can't imagine being happier on a bike. The only problem is my aesthetic tastes have changed since I got it and the finish doesn't really move me anymore. I'm thinking maybe I can avoid buying a new bike (that I really can't afford) by spending half that on refinishing. Has anybody used this as a n+1 stalling tactic? Could this really work?
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I don't know about stalling or preventing the purchase of a new bike but if you really, really like the bike and making it prettier will make you like it even more then go for it.
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N = '96 Colnago C40, '04 Wilier Alpe D'Huez, '10 Colnago EPS, '85 Merckx Pro, '89 Merckx Century, '86 Tommasini Professional, '04 Teschner Aero FX Pro, '05 Alan Carbon Cross, '86 De Rosa Professional, '82 Colnago Super, '95 Gios Compact Pro, '95 Carrera Zeus, '84 Basso Gap, ‘89 Cinelli Supercorsa, ‘83 Bianchi Specialissima, ‘VO Randonneur, Ritchey Breakaway Steel, '84 Paletti Super Prestige, Heron Randonneur
N = '96 Colnago C40, '04 Wilier Alpe D'Huez, '10 Colnago EPS, '85 Merckx Pro, '89 Merckx Century, '86 Tommasini Professional, '04 Teschner Aero FX Pro, '05 Alan Carbon Cross, '86 De Rosa Professional, '82 Colnago Super, '95 Gios Compact Pro, '95 Carrera Zeus, '84 Basso Gap, ‘89 Cinelli Supercorsa, ‘83 Bianchi Specialissima, ‘VO Randonneur, Ritchey Breakaway Steel, '84 Paletti Super Prestige, Heron Randonneur
#4
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Best Laid Plans Of Mice And...
I've pretty much always got the urge to get new bikes. The one exception is when I'm riding one particular bike. It just rides so wonderfully and fits so well, I can't imagine being happier on a bike. The only problem is my aesthetic tastes have changed since I got it and the finish doesn't really move me anymore. I'm thinking maybe I can avoid buying a new bike (that I really can't afford) by spending half that on refinishing. Has anybody used this as a n+1 stalling tactic? Could this really work?
What are you going to ride while your pride and joy is being refinished?
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Been there, done that! It works, but it ain’t cheap. Still happy with the bike though. It comes down to, what’s more important, money, or getting exactly what you want? The answer is never both!
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Obviously the correct answer is to get the favorite bike refinished AND buy a new bike. That's probably not helpful, is it?
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Buy the new bike now so you can lovingly work on your old bike at your leisure while you ride and complain about the new bike.
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I've pretty much always got the urge to get new bikes. The one exception is when I'm riding one particular bike. It just rides so wonderfully and fits so well, I can't imagine being happier on a bike. The only problem is my aesthetic tastes have changed since I got it and the finish doesn't really move me anymore. I'm thinking maybe I can avoid buying a new bike (that I really can't afford) by spending half that on refinishing. Has anybody used this as a n+1 stalling tactic? Could this really work?
Go for it.
#11
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...I have done that for the last five years. Yes, it really does work. And I have some nicely refinished bicycles as a bonus. Doing a good job requires a lot of disassembly and reassembly, time and effort. So that's time you can't spend cruising CL. And the painting process itself takes time because of the re-stickering and various stripping and primer/color coat/finish coat steps. Also you'll discover that all the effort you put into a complete refinish/rebuild will make you a lot more reluctant to take on too many new projects at the same time.
Go for it.
Go for it.
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I am more familiar with the N-1 stalling tactic: I've had a bike on CL for couple weeks that was priced a little high. Then I swapped wheels and went for a ride on it. It was such a fun ride -- just my commute on familiar roads but I was flying. That bike is so fast and smooth and fun that I took it off CL.
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I am more familiar with the N-1 stalling tactic: I've had a bike on CL for couple weeks that was priced a little high. Then I swapped wheels and went for a ride on it. It was such a fun ride -- just my commute on familiar roads but I was flying. That bike is so fast and smooth and fun that I took it off CL.
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N = '96 Colnago C40, '04 Wilier Alpe D'Huez, '10 Colnago EPS, '85 Merckx Pro, '89 Merckx Century, '86 Tommasini Professional, '04 Teschner Aero FX Pro, '05 Alan Carbon Cross, '86 De Rosa Professional, '82 Colnago Super, '95 Gios Compact Pro, '95 Carrera Zeus, '84 Basso Gap, ‘89 Cinelli Supercorsa, ‘83 Bianchi Specialissima, ‘VO Randonneur, Ritchey Breakaway Steel, '84 Paletti Super Prestige, Heron Randonneur
N = '96 Colnago C40, '04 Wilier Alpe D'Huez, '10 Colnago EPS, '85 Merckx Pro, '89 Merckx Century, '86 Tommasini Professional, '04 Teschner Aero FX Pro, '05 Alan Carbon Cross, '86 De Rosa Professional, '82 Colnago Super, '95 Gios Compact Pro, '95 Carrera Zeus, '84 Basso Gap, ‘89 Cinelli Supercorsa, ‘83 Bianchi Specialissima, ‘VO Randonneur, Ritchey Breakaway Steel, '84 Paletti Super Prestige, Heron Randonneur
#14
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I did this paintjob thing with my Ron Cooper about 6 years ago, instead of buying a Surly for touring. It worked well, and the value of my Ron Cooper is definitely higher than the $400 I spent to get the thing powder coated and the $25 I spent on decals. In the meantime I rode an old Trek 400, which was really just fine. As a bonus, I feel like I crossed some sort of Rubicon by diving into that paintjob. It was my first tubular steel racks instead of Blackburn aluminum rod, first metal fenders instead of plastic, my first time filing custom attachments out of aluminum, and my first wheelbuilding. Since then I've been doing the C&V thing pretty hard. I can't imagine the way things would have gone if I had bought that Surly.
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So, it's not just me.........
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Yeah, but there's always that other color, and it pops up out of nowhere unnoticed by the flippers for a steal of a price.
Or that geometry you've never had a chance to try out.
Or the tubing...or the sheer vintage of the machine...
You've made up your mind before you know it.
N+1
Or that geometry you've never had a chance to try out.
Or the tubing...or the sheer vintage of the machine...
You've made up your mind before you know it.
N+1
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A problem of refinishing a frame to a nice standard, no matter is DIY or professional sublet, is that the existing parts often do not look in harmony with the refinish, scratches and wear are more visible.
Those cracked hoods scream replace, as does that scuffed saddle, the rims can look dreary, the tires dinghy, even if you re-cable and install fresh housing, the brake blocks need replacement too... oh, those old toe straps...
new bar tape- necessary.
Be prepared to spend some money and effort to put all in harmony again.
But, a freshly rebuilt bike with a clean and well lubricated chain and fresh good tires is always a treat to go test ride.
Those cracked hoods scream replace, as does that scuffed saddle, the rims can look dreary, the tires dinghy, even if you re-cable and install fresh housing, the brake blocks need replacement too... oh, those old toe straps...
new bar tape- necessary.
Be prepared to spend some money and effort to put all in harmony again.
But, a freshly rebuilt bike with a clean and well lubricated chain and fresh good tires is always a treat to go test ride.
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A problem of refinishing a frame to a nice standard, no matter is DIY or professional sublet, is that the existing parts often do not look in harmony with the refinish, scratches and wear are more visible.
Those cracked hoods scream replace, as does that scuffed saddle, the rims can look dreary, the tires dinghy, even if you re-cable and install fresh housing, the brake blocks need replacement too... oh, those old toe straps...
new bar tape- necessary.
Be prepared to spend some money and effort to put all in harmony again.
Those cracked hoods scream replace, as does that scuffed saddle, the rims can look dreary, the tires dinghy, even if you re-cable and install fresh housing, the brake blocks need replacement too... oh, those old toe straps...
new bar tape- necessary.
Be prepared to spend some money and effort to put all in harmony again.
Years ago I had a fairly beat up westfalia Vanagon camper van and the pop top fiberglass looked terrible, I wanted to sell the van, so I repainted the pop top, man it looked good, but it made the rest of the van look terrible *sigh*.
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Hmmm... is my bigger problem lack of money (refinish job) or lack of space (n+1)?
Oh wait - its my wife! The best solution is to loudly and publicly get rid of three or four bikes before making a decision either way.
Oh wait - its my wife! The best solution is to loudly and publicly get rid of three or four bikes before making a decision either way.
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● 1971 Grandis SL ● 1972 Lambert Grand Prix frankenbike ● 1972 Raleigh Super Course fixie ● 1973 Nishiki Semi-Pro ● 1979 Motobecane Grand Jubile ●1980 Apollo "Legnano" ● 1984 Peugeot Vagabond ● 1985 Shogun Prairie Breaker ● 1986 Merckx Super Corsa ● 1987 Schwinn Tempo ● 1988 Schwinn Voyageur ● 1989 Bottechia Team ADR replica ● 1990 Cannondale ST600 ● 1993 Technium RT600 ● 1996 Kona Lava Dome ●
#21
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I've got a couple bikes at the Co-op on consignment priced for high enough that only someone who realy wants the bike will buy it. If they sell, I'll get about what I would take selling on craigslist with out the hassle. I'm not sure how to "N" those?
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Understand the logic but as others have said it is short lived, leads to build upgrades, new box of old build parts, etc. I just tried a new one with my latest rescue, 1993 Allez Pro with a great ride but complex (untouchupable) artsy respray over small dings in the top and seat tubes. Rather than letting my framebuilder spray another frame for me I had it powder coated, base and clear $200, so it is pretty but no decals and $$$ saved. I now admit the Ultegra 600 group is now DA 9 with Mavic Ksyrium SL and the Ultegra wheels are collecting dust on hooks. New saddle being shipped and looking for just the right bars. The great ride is still a great ride but no longer a bargain or even a cost effective alternative to N+1.
#23
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Sounds like a plan. Projects are a distraction and time-filler.
Seems I'm acquiring a new project before my old ones are finished... N+infinity?
Seems I'm acquiring a new project before my old ones are finished... N+infinity?
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#24
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I mean, it worked for me. To a certain extent.
My first good bike was an '87 Bianchi Campione d'Italia. Nothing amazing, but a lot of memories and nostalgia. I "upgraded" into other bikes and left it at my parent's house where the stem and seatpost eventually froze, and then I used it as a trainer bike for a decade or more. It was in bad shape. I resurrected it for Eroica California a few years ago, pulling the seatpost and cutting out the stem. I found I liked the ride enough that it was worth a repaint to me. So I had some work done on the frame and fork to help it fit 700x32 tires at the absolute limit of short-reach brakes, then had Groody Brothers give it a powder coat, re-decal, and clear coat. In my opinion, it turned out great.
Now, I still browse the classifieds and Craigslist, but whenever I get seriously interested in another classic steel bike or frame, I ask myself whether it would be any better than the Bianchi. So far, the answer is "no", so I haven't needed to chase n+1.
My first good bike was an '87 Bianchi Campione d'Italia. Nothing amazing, but a lot of memories and nostalgia. I "upgraded" into other bikes and left it at my parent's house where the stem and seatpost eventually froze, and then I used it as a trainer bike for a decade or more. It was in bad shape. I resurrected it for Eroica California a few years ago, pulling the seatpost and cutting out the stem. I found I liked the ride enough that it was worth a repaint to me. So I had some work done on the frame and fork to help it fit 700x32 tires at the absolute limit of short-reach brakes, then had Groody Brothers give it a powder coat, re-decal, and clear coat. In my opinion, it turned out great.
Now, I still browse the classifieds and Craigslist, but whenever I get seriously interested in another classic steel bike or frame, I ask myself whether it would be any better than the Bianchi. So far, the answer is "no", so I haven't needed to chase n+1.