KonAaron Snake 

Is it not part of all of them?

Velo Mule

So I think I have a plan. The hierarchy is first, is it cheap in my price range. Next is is it a an American brand, then was it made in the US.

After buying what I like over the years I have discovered that I tend to like American brands, or at least have a preference for them. My racing bike was a Serotta. I found that I had a lot of American brands, Schwinn, Cannondale and Trek right now.

This is one reason that I recently bought a Schwinn Continental. Of course, $25 asking price was a motivator as well. At some point, I would like to get a Trek 930 so that I can get a US make Trek.

What I am missing out on is the 70's French bikes that I have an appreciation for and the '80's Japanese bikes that I have had many and I know what a good value they are. I do have a Panasonic Sport 1000 Mixte for my wife.

wrk101

I typically look for something interesting at an attractive price. I only used the "focused" approach on my Chicago Paramount and my two Prologues. I know "focused" means I will pay full market value, maybe higher.

I routinely use the "component-aholic" method, figuring I already have the frameset in hand. I am usually reselling the parts. I do keep a stash of a couple of groups for future builds.

The other thing I will buy is the orphan, battered, but interesting bike that "needs" a save. I did this with an early 1970s Raleigh Gran Sport. Everything was stuck, missing lots of parts, and lots of rust. But I just thought it could use a save. So I did it.

I've stopped buying the mid level road bikes. They do not have components useful for my stash or to sell, there is no return in my market anymore. Curiously, I have starting buying more 1980s MTBs. I never thought that would happen. But there were some interesting ones out there, and the parts have value that significantly exceed the purchase price.

Some 2019 purchases:

1973 Nishiki Safari: It was just too original and TOO funky to pass up. It was in the part out pile when I saved it.


1973 Nishiki Safari by wrk101, on Flickr
1972+/- Crescent 320:

Crescent 320 by wrk101, on Flickr


1972 Paramount in dreadful condition, picture doesn't show the flaws well enough:

1972 Paramount by wrk101, on Flickr

1987 High Sierra, as found, incredibly good condition. Roller cams, thumb shifters, lots of desirable parts. Sold complete for about what the wheels bring...

1987 Schwinn High Sierra by wrk101, on Flickr

nlerner

Indeed! Last year I was at a seminar where the idea was raised of being skeptical of “the stories we tell ourselves” or those ways we rationalize a decision or try to explain a phenomenon from an egocentric point of view. Not that there’s anything wrong with that!

Wildwood 

Hey, you just made 2 more!
Frugal is not necessarily Bottomfeeder.
Obsessed is beyond Focused - like SearchLighted with Blinders = as in -
i know it's a 19XX ______ in my color, in my size, but the saddle and rims aren't original!
or
Cobalto brakes or i'm not investing
or
NOS includes the box, darn you idioto!
or
Restored? That looks barely refurbished..... or properly cleaned...

Wildwood 

I think.... Chromed deserves a separate category?

Is 1 category enough for Chrome - not just frameset - full socks, headlugs only, even good chrome paint

Barrettscv 

I need chrome, even if it’s just on the drive side chainstay. I have a fully chromed 1972 Paramount and this Pinarello Gavia gives me plenty of chrome;

Last ride 76 

​​​​​​ I
been all of the above, except the 2 "egalitarian" s.

I'm into race bikes, and the idea of going fast. It's where I stopped riding, Bitd. M
focus is on prospecting, rehabilitating and "creative building" (ha, ha) type projects. I have a feeling my old TT constructs will have to be reduced back to their component parts in order to sell, but building them and having them around meant a lot to me. I'm too old and slow to have done them Justice, but I felt good "warming up" on them. ​​​​​​

dedhed

Lately I've been more of a "Hey, I have this old bike in my garage/basement/storage/shed, you want it?" people.
Might be that I'm working on clearing a 60 year accumulated house, garage, barn, all of them full, estate and think I should downsize a bit.

Mad Honk 

As a former bike shop manager, I still see opportunity in a good bike, if it needs some TLC. But I have six bikes I hold in high regard and continue to work on restoring and riding. I am getting shorter due to age,and will likely need to size down, and change my ways. But as I work in my co-op I am more of a bottom feeder. Smiles, MH

morri869 

I am usually focused, and look for makes/ models that I am interested in riding myself. Or when looking for friends/family I find that one that fits their needs the best.

However.... I have a soft spot for those opportunistic mystery frames. Repainted and with a random mix of components but with the potential to be a diamond in the rough? Count me in! I feel like that's how I have learned most in this forum, asking questions and hearing from the vast cycling knowledge that is here. 😁

SJX426 

I have a bucket list or desirable list that is all Italian. That does not preclude others. It is a priority list for me. I am selective about each. Chrome is highly desirable for any. Campagnolo or Superbe Pro is also a deciding factor. Purpose also is a consideration, i.e. I NEED a gravel grinder and a touring bike. I also need a fat bike!
If I had to choose between the bucket list item and any other, the bucket wins.

non-fixie 

Opportunistic bottom-feeder, I suppose. Although there is some focus creeping in, driven by a lack of storage space.

But if its is cheap, my size (or mrs non-fixie's for that matter) AND interesting, I'll find it hard to resist.

Latest example below. Rare brand, looks nicely made (and it says "Pro" and "handgearbeitet"!), interesting tubing, perfectly sized, €40. "Yes, I'll have that, please".

Wildwood 

Maybe there should be a Bonehead category for me. Since it happens periodically.
I'm clearly not Egalitarian - not trying to save them all.
Bottomfeeder could apply, but not exactly.
Or maybe the category is "It might be worth it"

Hajo

A few years I bought a frame every 2-3 months, rebuild it and got it sold. As I do not have a large garage I can't keep them all. So I now only have Gazelle bikes with a proven history (2x Team from a genuine team and 1x Special from a very well known former world champion ice skating) and I have to sell everything else. Still regret selling my Chesini Precision though but it is not a Gazelle.

Allthough I am on the verge of buying a really nice Vitus 979, but that is only because I still have a NOS Dura Ace first generation groupset in stock to put on it.

So I may be a specific buyer for a single brand, I prefer Shimano over Campagnolo, do not mind driving a few hours to pick up an interesting bike, frame or parts, also I buy a lot of parts from all over the world.
I love higher end frames or something less common, but most of all I absolutely love all the people I have met during the last few years buying and selling bike related stuff. Almost all passionate lovers of vintage stuff, long conversations over coffee, always a joy to do so, and I certainly will for many years to come.

squirtdad

I guess opportunistic bottom feeder

I have 3 bike that meet my needs/desires (one just get on it and do errands bike, one eroica bike and one nice but everyday rider) and am not really looking to add (other than a Kirk custom in my dreams which would probably displace on of my bikes)

that said I don't have anything italian now, so if trip over something interesting, cheap i might bight (think really nice torpado super light in my size as interesting)

and a Miyata 1000 in super condition and my size would tempt me

thumpism 

How about Semi-focused?

I already have more bikes than I need or use, and have my wife's three to sell off. I could easily (sorta) part with a few of mine and settle on one to replace them.

One bike I would like to have is an '80s touring machine in 24"/62cm that will ride rock steady when loaded with four panniers and stuff. Trek 5/6/720, Nishiki or Miyata or Specialized or whatever. That's the "semi" part of the focus. Focus is the type, brand not so much.