David325

A few years back we had a "Velo-Cheapo" contest, the goal of which was to put together a neat vintage bike for a relatively small amount. This is the thread: https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...-rules-10.html

I thought this was a really fun event. Would anyone be interested in running it again?

oddjob2

You can take up the baton and orchestrate it. We did a similar event earlier this year, Narhay's clunker challenge, but it was a wee bit more ghetto.

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...challenge.html

dweenk

Narhay's Clunker Challenge was fun. I sold my entry before the deadline. I would be interested in seeing the rules you propose.

RobE30

I'm game.

David325

I could certainly write up a set of rules. I might be inclined make it more scientific, with categories and points for each by some set of standards. Or, judges could be sourced. Firstly, I just want to see if anyone is interested!

daf1009

Could be interested...dependent on rules...

r0ckh0und 

Though ive never made it to the finish line in time, it has inspired a couple of successful builds....I'll play.

AZORCH

Let's do this. (Says the guy with a good candidate for the contest.)

David325

Glad there's some enthusiasm. Perhaps I (or anyone else who wants to!) will draw a draft of rules and post it up, probably tomorrow.

Essthreetee

This sounds fun. I MAY be in...

Velocivixen

I might be in too. I didn't make it in time for the Klunker challenge last summer. Now that I've got some components saved up might work out.

redscampi

I think I'd be in too - It might be a good rule to stipulate that the bike has to be a new find - one that you haven't acquired yet, put miles on, or changed equipment on already. Looking at the clunker thread it seems it immediately became clogged with everyone's cheap finds they had already restored, ridden, etc. which for me kind of defeats the purpose. A second rule might be that only contest bikes be posted in the thread - there are plenty of other threads to show off your finished bikes. A third rule might be that it has to be a cheap brand, or at least a lower end bike. The once in a lifetime free designer bike is a great thing indeed, but it would kind of outshine all the other polished...er...specimens in the thread. I'm not trying to be a negative Nancy, my point is that the thread would be more fun, interesting and rewarding for everyone if you didn't know ahead of time which bikes were going to show up and already have heard the back story for them.

BluesDaddy

I'm interested in seeing what is proposed. I like the ideas of having a dollar limit, having a penalty on using a high-end bike, having a requirement that it be a new find just for the contest, and having points awarded for distance successfully ridden.

Bike Cottage

I like this, will give me a fresh excuse to go hunting for bikes.

dwightisright

Sounds like fun. What are the rules? But first I'll need to find a frameset that is worthy.

dwightisright

I really like rules 1,2 I don't know about rule 3. But if you go with rule 3 I'll agree to it. This is a good post.

David325

I think we have a lot of common ground on rules. I certainly agree the bike should be found for the contest and the thread should only have contest bikes in it. I don't think the bike has to be low end- if someone is able to find a great deal, that's part of the hobby, isn't it? What should really make the difference is the creativity and effort that goes into the build, which I think should be the biggest factors for points. A set dollar limit is a great idea, too. Points for miles ridden may be a tough one, for example, if the bike isn't your size and was intended to be used by someone else.

nlerner

The 2010 contest was actually the second go round for Velo-Cheapo. The first was a couple of years before that:

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...-buildoff.html

I'm still bitter because I didn't get any votes for my entry in 2010. I went from this dumpster find:



To this final version:



Unfortunately, at about $160 in costs, it wasn't as cheapo as others.

r0ckh0und 

I would be in favor of allowing a currently existing, unmolested find because......well....just because....... ;-)

redscampi

I'd be up for that if the bike was previously undocumented in C&V. If you already have the bike, does it count against your total or is it a freebie?

David325

I think if we include bikes/frames that you already have but have not yet touched, then you simply count what it cost you to obtain whenever you obtained it.

r0ckh0und 

I liked Narhays' version of this contest because it required participants to do x amount of miles on their entry. This turned out to be the stickey wicket for me last year. I completed the build but didn't do the miles.

David325

Perhaps bonus points for logging more miles than dollars? And minus points for less?

oddjob2

^ It's already a sticky wicket for midwest areas already being hammered by snow.

Bikes and Jeeps

I haven't bought a bike or parts in over a year, and I have a 105 group just waiting for something....