Velocivixen

@oddjob2 - I wasn't whining. I'm definitely up for it. I guess I'm envious of those, like you, who find these great deals. You're right about being ready with cash and being ready to go check out the bike NOW. Otherwise it's gone. I live in a suburb of PDX also, but we've got bikes. That Miyata 310 is in my area.

Velocivixen

I just called the guy, Frank, about the Miyata 310 and he apologized and said he sold it about "1 minute after I posted it". So he hasn't taken it down.

clubman 

Yes but I've got to get rid of parts! How about 2 categories, 1) built from newly sourced components and 2) parts bin specials. In no way can I justify buying more.

Come to think of it,maybe those without parts can request cheap parts from those with deep caches. I've got lots of old parts I'd sell or give away for postage.

Bikes and Jeeps

Maybe we should wait for the people who volunteered to make the rules, to post them.

I have a bike and some parts. I really don't want to buy something I already own.

nlerner

One problem with digging stuff out of the parts bin is that it can get hard to put a value on it. For a previous iteration of this contest, we went with whatever seemed to be market value, but that's a pretty huge range. For example, I have a 21" men's Raleigh Sports frame plus crankset and brakes hanging in the basement. Someone on CL gave it away for free, and it looks like it's been living under a dirt mound for a few decades. What the heck would the value of that be?!

Of course, the "judges" have maintained radio silence, so it's all moot. Wake up, @noglider!

Velocivixen

Yeah, I totally see what you guys are saying. No need to acquire if you already have. Well, it sounds like we've all given our input and analyzed it every which way, so we will have to wait.

clubman 

This is spot on and "market value" of parts could make it all murky and divisive. If you paid 5 bucks for a campy high flange pista hub, great. If you itemize the cheap or free parts honestly for what you really paid then we can let the judges sort out through the gray areas and give merit when it's due.I think in the end, most of us just want to build a funky bike and post pics!

I hope the judges will keep the door fairly open and maybe encourage some creative, inspirational builds.

noglider 

OK, I'm back. I'll see if Pastor Bob and David are still willing to participate... Thanks for the nudge, @nlerner. Hey, what happened to your avatar? I'm pretty sure you had one.

auldgeunquers

I feel your pain.

Here's an example of the kind of optimists I have to deal with here.

moutain bike | mountain | Sault Ste. Marie | Kijiji

... sigh!! ...

oddjob2

Ask @PedalTraveler if he can help you, he's fairly close by on Mackinac Island.

auldgeunquers

He is, eh? Cool. May talk to him - but the CL scene in Northern MI is not much better ...

Fortunately I have other resources ... but I rarely come across cool vintage steel here at any price - but I have turned up a number of lower end boom bike, which, though they have little market value, are of interest to me. Any number of big box mountain bikes too, from any era since the invention of the MTB.

obrentharris 

I'm not too concerned what the rules are... I'm just looking for a good excuse to build up a bike on the cheap.

I do kinda like the proposed rule that you have to offer the bike up for sale at the price you say you paid for it. I've got too many bikes hanging around here: Maybe someone will take it off my hands after I'm done with it!
Brent

David325

The rules are in progress. We took a bit of a holiday leave but will be posting them soon- we're trying to incorporate what has been mentioned in this thread as best we can!

auldgeunquers

Yep yep this. It's an excuse for one more bike. Bwa ha ha!!

noglider 

OK, I think we're almost there. Rules posted soon, in a new thread.

It occurs to me, since there is an incentive to do this cheaply, you could even make money on the bike after the contest is over. Most road-ready bikes of decent quality sell for more than $150, right?

Savagewolf

LOVE that idea.

Savagewolf

In my area? Yes.

clubman 

Sure, I'll mount a pair of new Dunlop Stainless lightweight rims for which I paid $20 and could get $150 on ebay? And sell the bike to someone to part out? Don't think so. It's why I suggested 2 categories. If I build a real crappy velo-Cheapo with ****e parts, which is easy, I'll end up with a POS bike I don't want and no one will want to pay shipping from Canada. Maybe I'll end up building a bike that meets the cost criteria and post it independent of the contest.

Anyway, I just want to play and will wait for the rules to come down.

Savagewolf

I completely understand what you are saying, but I think it adds credibility and realism to how people build. Those sweetheart deals people find from the widow or just make up (it happens) won't be used to build a bike that we all know is worth far more than the $100 challenge implies. It maybe makes people focus on finding quality parts that are very functional but not always desired, or to work on real projects rather than just buying some gem and calling it good. It challenges people more.

Savagewolf

Regardless, I'm looking forward to seeing the rules and seeing what I might be able to find. Finding tall bikes is very spotty for me, feast or famine.

big chainring 

To me velo cheapo is more about creativity than simply building a bike out of parts that you acquired cheaply. Using materials not necessarily bike related, or making things from scratch, or finding discarded items that can be repurposed.

oddjob2

Watching too much HGTV or DIYnetwork?

Savagewolf

I agree.

clubman 

I wish you were closer. I've got 5 decent big frames for you to pick from, not in bad shape either.

I'm not trying to show off (too much). I do have a bunch of old unique parts that scream to be built. I'm just needing motivation as the cold weather sets in and have a deep seated need to be included.

Savagewolf

Ha ha...it's all good. To be honest, once the rules come out and I consider if want to enter or not, the bike that I build will most likely be donated or sold cheaply. I'll probably end up just raising up the saddle and stem for the ride and suffering with a smaller bike than I'd like.