should I scavenge/hoard or not
#1
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should I scavenge/hoard or not
I posted a couple times yesterday regarding some old beaters I scavenged to make one bike out of for my wife. So 4 miles away from me lived a gentleman and his wife who had a program where people donated used toys and bikes. Everything was free. People were encouraged to come over and get a bike for their kids or themselves. Often times people would take parts off one bike to fix another. He'd been doing this for years! To say he has quite an accumulation is an understatement. Everything is outdoors exposed to the elements. He has a couple acres of old bikes laying around. This is where I found my 85 Panasonic DX 3000 a few years ago that I restored. I found a Trek road bike and fixed it up for a friend. We found some 60s Schwinns that were beat up badly and made good garden art. This place has been picked pretty clean of the good stuff. Most of what's left are old dept store bikes from the 70s, 80s, and 90s. I got to admit it's cool seeing an old seized up Mossberg 10 speed. Never knew they used to make bikes. Anyways the fella recently passed and his widow is cleaning house. The program is finally at an end. I find myself wanting to dig deeper in case there are any pieces worth anything before it's too late. I know there are a couple old bikes with solid ashtabula cranks that have internal geared rear hubs. But I don't know if the bikes were cheap bikes in the day or decent. Is any internal geared hub worth grabbing or are there cheaper ones that are better left to the trash pile?
#2
Disraeli Gears
My counsel: avoid getting into hoarding if you can help it; it is a sickness, even if relatively benign compared to others. If you live with others, it's an imposition on their lives too -- speaking from experience here, and I am guilty of it.
But, whatever floats your boat.
But, whatever floats your boat.
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#3
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The same probably goes for Fichtel & Sachs hubs, but you won't see so many of those. You'll probably see a lot of Shimano ones... it's hard to work up much enthusiasm about those, though.
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#4
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My counsel: avoid getting into hoarding if you can help it; it is a sickness, even if relatively benign compared to others. If you live with others, it's an imposition on their lives too -- speaking from experience here, and I am guilty of it.
But, whatever floats your boat.
But, whatever floats your boat.
#5
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Sturmey Archer hubs have their fans. The usual model (AW) is durable and reliable and people often need spare parts for them; so, in general, worth picking up. A lot of the less common models are more desirable. Any Sturmey Archer hub with an aluminum shell is worth picking up. So... yeah, grab the Sturmey Archer hubs and related parts if possible.
The same probably goes for Fichtel & Sachs hubs, but you won't see so many of those. You'll probably see a lot of Shimano ones... it's hard to work up much enthusiasm about those, though.
The same probably goes for Fichtel & Sachs hubs, but you won't see so many of those. You'll probably see a lot of Shimano ones... it's hard to work up much enthusiasm about those, though.
Good hunting!
#6
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Thread Starter
In addition to @rhm's sage advice above, maybe keep an eye peeled for SunTour derailleurs, in particular the V and Vx models. Lots of those were used as replacements because they were relatively inexpensive, and they're still very fine units and worth rescuing before they become scrap metal. The same goes for their ratcheting shifters. You might see an old Shimano 600 or two, as well - those were once relatively inexpensive and were also used as replacements for Delrin Simplex Prestige units that failed.
Good hunting!
Good hunting!
#7
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Okay, so you will need to take a wrench to loosen the claw adapter from the dropout. Even high-quality derailleurs were often fitted to the adapter claws, because there were many, many fine bikes built that did NOT have an integral derailleur eye as part of a forged dropout - those came later. Even Campagnolo derailleurs were often fitted to adapter claws, because plain horizontal dropouts allowed the use of different derailleurs in the years before everyone standardized on the Campagnolo pattern we all use today. Simplex had integral forged dropouts with their own unthreaded, bolts through from the inside setup, and Huret had a threaded one that requires the use of an adapter because the shoulder (?) is at 4 o'clock instead of 7 o'clock - and then there were other systems before then that are now long gone.
Anyway, the SunTour V-GT Luxe and its cousins are ALL good rear derailleurs, whether used with adapter claws or not.
Anyway, the SunTour V-GT Luxe and its cousins are ALL good rear derailleurs, whether used with adapter claws or not.
#9
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Thread Starter
Okay, so you will need to take a wrench to loosen the claw adapter from the dropout. Even high-quality derailleurs were often fitted to the adapter claws, because there were many, many fine bikes built that did NOT have an integral derailleur eye as part of a forged dropout - those came later. Even Campagnolo derailleurs were often fitted to adapter claws, because plain horizontal dropouts allowed the use of different derailleurs in the years before everyone standardized on the Campagnolo pattern we all use today. Simplex had integral forged dropouts with their own unthreaded, bolts through from the inside setup, and Huret had a threaded one that requires the use of an adapter because the shoulder (?) is at 4 o'clock instead of 7 o'clock - and then there were other systems before then that are now long gone.
Anyway, the SunTour V-GT Luxe and its cousins are ALL good rear derailleurs, whether used with adapter claws or not.
Anyway, the SunTour V-GT Luxe and its cousins are ALL good rear derailleurs, whether used with adapter claws or not.
#10
Senior Member
I volunteer at a high-volume, big-city bike Co-op. Want to cure yourself of hording? Then volunteer at a similar Co-op. Yesterday we had several bikes come in as donations, including a fully-functional $2,000 E-bike that was basically abandoned by a lady who could no longer ride. She could have sold it, but liked the shop and its volunteers. Plus we had many bags of tires, wheels and parts to sort through prior to sale. Yes, there were many decent Suntour derailleurs in the pile, plus Campy stuff.
I used to have a big stash of old bike stuff including Superbe Pro, Record, Dura-Ace etc. I purged and donated most of that to the shop a few years ago. I no longer want to hang onto anything that I am not riding. Good riddance.
I used to have a big stash of old bike stuff including Superbe Pro, Record, Dura-Ace etc. I purged and donated most of that to the shop a few years ago. I no longer want to hang onto anything that I am not riding. Good riddance.
#11
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Thread Starter
I volunteer at a high-volume, big-city bike Co-op. Want to cure yourself of hording? Then volunteer at a similar Co-op. Yesterday we had several bikes come in as donations, including a fully-functional $2,000 E-bike that was basically abandoned by a lady who could no longer ride. She could have sold it, but liked the shop and its volunteers. Plus we had many bags of tires, wheels and parts to sort through prior to sale. Yes, there were many decent Suntour derailleurs in the pile, plus Campy stuff.
I used to have a big stash of old bike stuff including Superbe Pro, Record, Dura-Ace etc. I purged and donated most of that to the shop a few years ago. I no longer want to hang onto anything that I am not riding. Good riddance.
I used to have a big stash of old bike stuff including Superbe Pro, Record, Dura-Ace etc. I purged and donated most of that to the shop a few years ago. I no longer want to hang onto anything that I am not riding. Good riddance.
#12
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I wouldn't bother with it. Low end old stuff is still low end, old doesn't make it any nicer or more interesting.
#13
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Sounds like some people in the know have already picked this pile over long ago. I agree it would be worth it to go through once more and pull out the remaining Suntour derailleurs, S-A hubs, high flange hubs, thumb shifters and forged aluminum cranks. Suntour didn't make much junk. They made some heavy derailleurs sure, but even those shifted very well.
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Last edited by Hudson308; 08-31-20 at 09:42 PM.
#14
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Nothing wrong with a little light junk collection, don't let people stigmatize! KonMari your life and you'll find you soon need some of that junk that didn't "spark joy" for you in some moment of death-cleaning-rampage. Then the commercial industrial complex dictates you must either rent or buy from robber baron Jeff Bezos. Better yet, pay him for some premium digital content and don't bother at all with earthly things. Feel zen yet? Or just discouraged? It turns out you can learn a lot from owning an object.
Junk ownership is a spectrum, and yes there's some sickness to be found at both extremes. There's satisfaction to be found in clutter. It's just not currently in vogue. Free yourself a little bit from wage slavery and the capitalist machine through junkpile ownership! And treat the so-called hoarder kindly. Lots of people getting labeled hoarders who shouldn't be (including me). It isn't a problem if it doesn't hurt anyone else.
Junk ownership is a spectrum, and yes there's some sickness to be found at both extremes. There's satisfaction to be found in clutter. It's just not currently in vogue. Free yourself a little bit from wage slavery and the capitalist machine through junkpile ownership! And treat the so-called hoarder kindly. Lots of people getting labeled hoarders who shouldn't be (including me). It isn't a problem if it doesn't hurt anyone else.
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#15
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Those Shimano 3-speeds made great winter-beaters!!!
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It's not hoarding if you just collect the good stuff.
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#17
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Hoarding? Or preparing for the future when some of those parts might be really scarce and in high demand?
Back around 2014 I came across a small bicycle shop just outside of another city near me. They were selling a lot of NOS stuff really cheap because there wasn't much demand for it. I was able to stock up on (hoard?) a number of NOS Uniglide cassettes and some other rare items such as Dura Ace AX brake pads.
Sometimes hoarding can be a good thing. I think I now have enough Uniglide cassettes and Dura Ace AX brake pads to last me the rest of my days.
Cheers
Back around 2014 I came across a small bicycle shop just outside of another city near me. They were selling a lot of NOS stuff really cheap because there wasn't much demand for it. I was able to stock up on (hoard?) a number of NOS Uniglide cassettes and some other rare items such as Dura Ace AX brake pads.
Sometimes hoarding can be a good thing. I think I now have enough Uniglide cassettes and Dura Ace AX brake pads to last me the rest of my days.
Cheers
#18
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I never had any problems with my early '70s Sears Free Spirit w/Shimano 3-speed. In fact, I preferred it to the S-A, because setting the shift cable was easier! The S-A had an annoying trait of having a null space between 2-3 that caused be to just about neuter myself on several occasions.
Those Shimano 3-speeds made great winter-beaters!!!
Those Shimano 3-speeds made great winter-beaters!!!
Cheers
#19
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If it involves bikes, it's not hoarding.
It's saving, preparation, predicting, preserving, collecting, discerning, triaging, fitness accumulation, spin casting, and landfill selecting.
If there's one thing this forum can do, it's irrational rationalization.
It's saving, preparation, predicting, preserving, collecting, discerning, triaging, fitness accumulation, spin casting, and landfill selecting.
If there's one thing this forum can do, it's irrational rationalization.
#20
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A couple years ago, I fell in with someone who had well over 1000 bikes. All were of "decent" quality - no wallymart junk - but he still triaged his stash. He would sell off anything he didnt want, which were primarily British three-speeds and average-quality road bikes. He was into bulk-deals, and he would sell me as many bikes as I could jam into the back of my pickup for $100. If I packed them right, and used enough straps, I could get 8-10 bikes in there. I looks like a giant porcupine rolling down the road!
Soon, my affiliation with him grew my personal stash up to 60 bikes, then 100 or more. I stopped counting after a while. That massive blob of bikes in my backyard, covered with blue tarps, made me feel kind of gross inside. I realized that it was time to take action or just set back and let it become a burgeoning hoarder's leviathan. So I started dismantling.
One at a time, I brought a bike in, stripped it completely and saved anything that was worth saving. It actually took three weeks of careful and deliberate work to eliminate that awful glut of bikes on my lawn.
I think its safe to say that I have a nice repository of spare parts, everything in labeled clear-plastic totes.
Moral of the story: Get all the bikes and parts you need or want, but just don't let them sit and become home for vermin.
Soon, my affiliation with him grew my personal stash up to 60 bikes, then 100 or more. I stopped counting after a while. That massive blob of bikes in my backyard, covered with blue tarps, made me feel kind of gross inside. I realized that it was time to take action or just set back and let it become a burgeoning hoarder's leviathan. So I started dismantling.
One at a time, I brought a bike in, stripped it completely and saved anything that was worth saving. It actually took three weeks of careful and deliberate work to eliminate that awful glut of bikes on my lawn.
I think its safe to say that I have a nice repository of spare parts, everything in labeled clear-plastic totes.
Moral of the story: Get all the bikes and parts you need or want, but just don't let them sit and become home for vermin.
#21
Senior Member
Thread Starter
A couple years ago, I fell in with someone who had well over 1000 bikes. All were of "decent" quality - no wallymart junk - but he still triaged his stash. He would sell off anything he didnt want, which were primarily British three-speeds and average-quality road bikes. He was into bulk-deals, and he would sell me as many bikes as I could jam into the back of my pickup for $100. If I packed them right, and used enough straps, I could get 8-10 bikes in there. I looks like a giant porcupine rolling down the road!
Soon, my affiliation with him grew my personal stash up to 60 bikes, then 100 or more. I stopped counting after a while. That massive blob of bikes in my backyard, covered with blue tarps, made me feel kind of gross inside. I realized that it was time to take action or just set back and let it become a burgeoning hoarder's leviathan. So I started dismantling.
One at a time, I brought a bike in, stripped it completely and saved anything that was worth saving. It actually took three weeks of careful and deliberate work to eliminate that awful glut of bikes on my lawn.
I think its safe to say that I have a nice repository of spare parts, everything in labeled clear-plastic totes.
Moral of the story: Get all the bikes and parts you need or want, but just don't let them sit and become home for vermin.
Soon, my affiliation with him grew my personal stash up to 60 bikes, then 100 or more. I stopped counting after a while. That massive blob of bikes in my backyard, covered with blue tarps, made me feel kind of gross inside. I realized that it was time to take action or just set back and let it become a burgeoning hoarder's leviathan. So I started dismantling.
One at a time, I brought a bike in, stripped it completely and saved anything that was worth saving. It actually took three weeks of careful and deliberate work to eliminate that awful glut of bikes on my lawn.
I think its safe to say that I have a nice repository of spare parts, everything in labeled clear-plastic totes.
Moral of the story: Get all the bikes and parts you need or want, but just don't let them sit and become home for vermin.
#22
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I never had any problems with my early '70s Sears Free Spirit w/Shimano 3-speed. In fact, I preferred it to the S-A, because setting the shift cable was easier! The S-A had an annoying trait of having a null space between 2-3 that caused be to just about neuter myself on several occasions.
Those Shimano 3-speeds made great winter-beaters!!!
Those Shimano 3-speeds made great winter-beaters!!!
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#23
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You sound like a Doomsday Prepper.
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#24
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I've found when you hoard, you become the parts supplier for other people. I'd say stay with what you like and let the rest go.
#25
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That seems like a reasonable strategy. Sometimes junk is just that.
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