What is the best bike deal you have ever gotten?

[jh_on_the_cape]

There is another thread about a guy selling a Richards Sachs for $750 on CL, which in the end did not happen.
Have you ever made that amazing purchase?

Let's hear the story.

[oliver1850]

My first Serotta purchased circa 1994 was a pretty good buy. 1990 Nova Spl. from a guy that was quitting road riding. Complete bike with New Success, Topline crank, 3 or 4 extra wheelsets and spare rims, $350 as I recall.

[thirdgenbird]

I had a family friend offer me a Nuevo Record equipped Rossin and a few wheelsets. I tured him down because it was too small and I knew he could make good money on it (He did). I do regret not throwing him some cash for one of the wheelsets. It was tricolor hubs laced to some nice tubular rims of the same vintage. They looked NOS. they would have been perfect for a cross bike.

[toytech]

I have had a few, most notable was a Miyata 1000 for 60.00, a Floval Flyer for 100.00 which when parted net me about 800.00.
I also bought a Park Pro work stand (the big heavy one) for 50.00 that came with the Miyata 1400 that was on it, and finally a full boxed set of Campagnolo with spare bb tools, head tube facers and french italian and english threading tools for 650.00. It was free after spares sold. :eek:

[MarleyMon]

In 2008 I bought a 2004 NOS all steel Fierte w/ uncut fork and warranty card for
$526.00 plus $60 shipping & insurance. Love that bike.

[54ny77]

couple years ago full lbs retail on a conti 4000s tire & tube on a hot & humid 100+ mile summer ride. tire freakishly sliced/blew apart when i got a flat. good irish luck had me placed only a few miles from an lbs that i was praying was by chance open (which was not typical on a sunday). after a little careful ridin' and then finally some walking, by the grace of someone up above there were employees in that store.

that was best deal, ever.

[phcollard]

I was in Belgium for the holidays several years ago and browsing the local classifieds at Mum's when I found an ad for a Colnago Master Olympic. The ad was two weeks old but surprisingly nobody called the guy so I went to pay a visit. We're in Belgium so of course I first had a beer with the owner and he told me that he knew nothing about bikes, the Colnago was his step father's bike who passed away a year ago. Then he pulls the bike out of his garage and I almost fainted. It was mint... no... like new! With full period correct Campy Record group to boot. He said as there was no interest I could have it for $300 if I wanted to. Deal done!

I brought it back to Canada, rode it once as it was my size, and then sold it on eBay - that was before I registered to the forums. That paid for the whole trip.

Like this one...

http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4047/4545675450_a38a262bf6_z.jpg

[jtakeda]

Landshark frame set plus extras for $200. There were some cosmetic issues though.

[ahumblecycler]

If cdn_bacon doesn't post in this thread, I am knocking on his door ... lol.

Me, my CAAD7 not because it was a screaming deal but it introduced me to real road cycling.

[Liberace]

Confente for $1,000 and sold it for $8,600.

This money financed a couple custom bikes and years of flipping to lose.

[one60]

picked up a handbuilt, fillet brazed frame/winwood fork/hs CX team frame that had never been raced & used solely as a commuter bike for $300.

I use it for CX, gravel rides like the Iron Horse/John Wayne trail & as a fendered winter training bike.

[jr59]

VERY LIGHTLY used Trek 5200, 70.
Full Campy chorus alloy 10 speed group, including a set of handbuilt record wheels ....200.

But the best of all was right here on the forum from Cat6; Thompson stem..FREE!!

[cash05458]

Good buddy of mine, a guy I had lived with for nearly a decade while going to school, in Belgium had a Merckx I knew he had bought quite a few years before used...we hadn't talked in abit so on phone asked him how his riding was going...the Merckx he had decided was too large for him and he was having back problems...I didn't know what sorta Merckx he had and he said I think it is a MXleader with full campy 9 record...in beautiful shape even...it was my size and I told him I would buy it from him...he said no, but if I would pay the shipping he wanted to give it to me...I explained to him he could sell it there or anywhere for good money...but told me he wanted me to have it and it would keep it in the family ect...I paid for shipping and forced him to accept at least 250 from me to pay for half of some nice cookoo clock his wife wanted for xmas...I got the Merckx, she got the nice clock he couldn't entirely afford and he got a serious karma bump all round...

[yummygooey]

Not too many amazing deals on my end, but I have a handful of good deals...

I got my Reynolds 853 TET track frame for $250 with a Reynolds Ouzo Pro fork and some extra bits.

I got my Ti GT frameset for $550, which I consider a good deal because I have yet to see another for sale in my size.

And I used to have a 2009 Fuji Track Pro complete (stock build) that I got for $450 with extras. I'm pretty sure the first owner never rode it more than a block. I rode it for a bit and had some back problems, so I swapped some parts around and ended up making some money while keeping the nice wheelset.

[cmg]

I was in Belgium for the holidays several years ago and browsing the local classifieds at Mum's when I found an ad for a Colnago Master Olympic. The ad was two weeks old but surprisingly nobody called the guy so I went to pay a visit. We're in Belgium so of course I first had a beer with the owner and he told me that he knew nothing about bikes, the Colnago was his step father's bike who passed away a year ago. Then he pulls the bike out of his garage and I almost fainted. It was mint... no... like new! With full period correct Campy Record group to boot. He said as there was no interest I could have it for $300 if I wanted to. Deal done!

I brought it back to Canada, rode it once as it was my size, and then sold it on eBay - that was before I registered to the forums. That paid for the whole trip.

Like this one...


http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4047/4545675450_a38a262bf6_z.jpg



So............why did you sell it? That master is gorgeous.

[moose8]

I bought a complete davidson signature lugged with campagnolo (I'm spacing on the groupset) for $550 (I think, definitely no more than $600) - it had been built in 1997, then before it was delivered the owner got ill and never used it but stored inside his living room so there was no dust or rust or anything. It was in mint condition, and even came with the original receipt showing he had paid north of $2000 for it. It was through one of those weird craigslist ads that seems like a scam but wasn't - he wouldn't answer any emails and only wanted phone calls. The other catch was that the bike was for someone about 6'3" or taller, which worked out perfect because I was bike shopping on behalf of a very tall friend. It is a beautiful bike, so if you ever see a yellow giant lugged Davidson in Iceland, say hi to the owner for me, as that is where its new permanent home is.

A lot of other stuff I've bought and sold has been good value, but the Davidson was really never ridden, which made it such a cool find.

[cmg]

sold this colnago after 4 years of use for a $100 less than i paid for it.

[Mr Cabletwitch]

I bought 4 bikes of a guy that had them awarded to him as part of a settlement from an ex employee that stole from him and was currently residing in federal prison. One was a Colnago HP4 with full record 10, another was a mint Serotta Club Special that was retrofitted with a Ultregra 9 speed group, and the big score was a 1991 Klein Attitude, and then there was also a cannondale silk road something or other that was nothing special.

I turned around and sold the klein for $2200 on ebay and only had 2300 invested in all the bikes. The guy I bought them from was happy to get rid of them all in one transaction so he gave me a sweet deal.

The colnago I parted out as I had just ordered my wife a new bike although I did keep the wheels on it for her (ksyrium SLs). The Cannondale I sold on CL for $325 and the club special I rode for about a year.

[Ralph]

There is a 56 CM CAAD 5 in classifieds now for $260 shipped that may qualify for that title.

[phcollard]

So............why did you sell it? That master is gorgeous.

I wasn't a fan of the color honestly. That's acquired taste. And this bike was drawing way too much attention in a city like Montreal. It was also quite a rough ride if I remember correctly. I did not miss it.

Maybe a year later my parents picked up another Colnago from a guy in Flanders, for just a little bit more. They kept it at their place until I visited them the next summer and I also brought it back to Canada for resale. This one had better colors and I liked the ride. I definitely should have kept it. Making money is not always the best thing to do. That was stupid from me!

That was the actual frame - a picture from the eBay auction...

http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4082/4918061965_a69dd8fe91_z.jpg

[Roger M]

I found this Rossin on Craigslist a few years ago. It was listed for $100, I responded and set out to pick it up. Long story short, seller gets a bunch of calls and higher offers. I end up paying $200 for it.

As found

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff169/72tunaboat/Bikes%20and%20Stuff/Rossin/winter2010photos443.jpg

I sold the front wheel for $240..

I cleaned it up and rode it like this for a couple years

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff169/72tunaboat/Bikes%20and%20Stuff/Rossin/spring2011pictures086.jpg

I just finished rebuilding it last week. Here it is now(still need to get some gum hoods for the record levers I have, and replace the headset with a record part also. The decals and paint are pretty tattered..

http://i241.photobucket.com/albums/ff169/72tunaboat/Bikes%20and%20Stuff/Rossin/IMG_20130405_163900_878.jpg

[mktng]

1980's Rossi - Super Record.
Full bike - paid $400.00

Had it for a full 4 months. Fathers day....got hit... went through a week of pain and several months of back and forth with insurance company.

Finally got a insurance/court settlement of $2600.00 + sold SR group for 400$.

Good deal? (at the cost of my own life)

[jh_on_the_cape]

Some crazy deals! I feel like it is less likely to find these now with easy access to information with the internet lubricating the market.

I had a Merlin Extralight I rode for a while and sold for what I paid for it.

[cdn_bacon]

ahumblecycler has presented me with the best deals I've ever received.

It's actually a little gross how nice he is.

And should I win the lottery, you shall get your Moots my friend.

BBB Carbon bars and Douglas Ti/Reynolds fork, shipped to my door without a penny out of pocket.

The most generous person I've met to date.

[CaptStash]

I pay for my bike toys by buying low and selling high on eBay and CL. I think my best deal was probably the first bike I bought on eBay, a titanium McMahon with a full DA 7400 group including DA hubs to Open CD rims, all for $600. That frame is now my travel bike with Bilenky installed couplers and an Ouzo Pro 1" fork I bought across the hall for all of $30!

My other favorite deal was the Giant TCR I bought for a frined. IT was a full DA bike with nice wheels and a higher end carbon frame, but was listed as a "Ginat",. I snagged it for him with the minimum bid, about half its value.

Last was the Colnago Master with a full SRAM Red group and Ksyrium SL wheels. I bought the bike, scavenged the parts for a different project, and sold the frame and a few misc. parts (aka Record Carbon Seatpost and alloy Record brakes) for about what I paid for teh whole shebang.

CaptStash....

The deals just keep on coming....

[jh_on_the_cape]

1980's Rossi - Super Record.
Full bike - paid $400.00

Had it for a full 4 months. Fathers day....got hit... went through a week of pain and several months of back and forth with insurance company.

Finally got a insurance/court settlement of $2600.00 + sold SR group for 400$.

Good deal? (at the cost of my own life)

Worst deal ever! I hope you recovered enough to ride and treated yourself to a nice bike.

[mktng]

Worst deal ever! I hope you recovered enough to ride and treated yourself to a nice bike.

Yup. Replaced it with a 80's Marinoni Special road

[technicolor]

1984 Cinelli Super Corsa w/Super Record group. $550

[ahumblecycler]

ahumblecycler has presented me with the best deals I've ever received.

It's actually a little gross how nice he is.

And should I win the lottery, you shall get your Moots my friend.

BBB Carbon bars and Douglas Ti/Reynolds fork, shipped to my door without a penny out of pocket.

The most generous person I've met to date.

What did I get out of this? I made my friend smile ... no $ can ever beat that. Cheers.

[axel23]

Do you have pix? The kind of deal we all dream about.

1984 Cinelli Super Corsa w/Super Record group. $550

[axel23]

I think the best deal ever occurred just this month. Texbike alerted me to a Merckx EX in my wife's size. The seller just wanted to get rid of it, and the components were cosmetically challenged (Ultegra, Mavic wheels).
$450 for the entire bike.

I cleaned up the group and sold everything but the frame for . . . yep, $450. A couple of weeks later (and with much help from the forum), it is now DA 7800 equipped w/ FSA SL-K cranks. So basically a free Litespeed-made Merckx ti that rides like a dream.

I did invest a fair amount (including NOS Reynolds Ouzo Pro fork), and still need a wheelset (probably will go with DA 7800 as well), but what a sweet deal . . .

[dpmackey]

A titanium Carrera complete bike for about 500 - sold parts so basically the frame was free if not better...

A free pair of Atlanta 96 NOS rims - which I sold to help defray the cost of the tommasini frame I had purchased from the seller

50 dollars for a serotta ATX frame in great shape.

I think that is it...

[Joachim]

Best deal I ever got was from Akelman for an Ottrott and it has been passed on to another great forum member, Happycampyer. One day it will probably make its way back to Ari. O yes, and my Peg 8.30am from the forum. It arrived and looked like NOS.

[bikerboy337]

I picked up a set of hollowgrams (as new SISLs) on ebay for around 225 shipped if i recall... everything but bearings... this was 1.5 years ago and the SISLs were running at least $450...i can trash these things and sell them for cost in a few years if i wanted tooo

I also picked up a BBQ Black Caad9 frameset, new for around $400 shipped and ended up selling it for just north of $900 a few months ago (upgraded to an ENVE 1.0 fork)...

I missed out on a SISL hollowgram set for $150 the other day on ebay.. waited about 30 seconds too long... listed as a BIN for $150, everything but bearings... crazy deal...

[akelman]

Best deal I ever got was from Akelman for an Ottrott and it has been passed on to another great forum member, Happycampyer. One day it will probably make its way back to Ari. O yes, and my Peg 8.30am from the forum. It arrived and looked like NOS.

One reason you got that deal was that I knew you'd pass it on to another forumite. Not to mention, I've received so many deals through the years from people here -- including happycamper -- that I can't sort them all out.

[Bob Ross]

Not sure which would be considered the better deal:

- in 2007 I bought a 1986 Bridgestone 600 off eBay that was 100% original -- including the tires and tubes!!! -- and in very good condition (just some minor paint chips on the chainstays) for $285. Someone probably bought this, rode it once, and then stuffed it in his garage for 20 years.

- ...however, the stock bars & stem on that Bridgestone were much too small for me. Thanks to the good people at the Piermont Bicycle Connection, I was able to sell those original Sakae Custom Road Champion bars and SR Custom stem for more than the cost of a brand new Nitto quill stem and Deda bars!

[christian]

Thanks to the good people at the Piermont Bicycle Connection, I was able to sell those original Sakae Custom Road Champion bars and SR Custom stem for more than the cost of a brand new Nitto quill stem and Deda bars!What? That's the height of madness.

[zmudshark]

If I told you the deals I have gotten, you would hate me even more ;)

[bike]

If I told you the deals I have gotten, you would hate me even more ;)

lol wondering if youre the one that landed the RS deal posted here...

[dekindy]

2007 lightly used demo from the Serotta Garage. Serotta Legend SE ST with F3 fork; frame was size that I needed as well as the fork stiffness. $1,690. Could not tell that it had ever been built up.

[zmudshark]

lol wondering if youre the one that landed the RS deal posted here...

Nope, all I wanted from that was the saddle and seat post. I did pick up a Seven Axiom (steel) a couple of weeks ago for $375 complete w/9s 105 and OP's.

Sorry for crappy pic:

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-hDN-VpAaJpI/UWM3UV8dmAI/AAAAAAAAIT0/72WRL4r8W_Q/s720/photo.JPG

Fits my wife like it was made for her.

[gomango]

My 1999 Colnago Master Extra Light.

Frame, Precisa fork and Shimano 600 headset for $300.

Added the the mixed DA 7700/105 bits, along with a Velocity Aerohead/DA 7700 wheelset for $275.

Needless to say, it was a fun bike. Sold it so I could send my oldest son to Sweden, Norway and Denmark for soccer tournaments a few years ago.

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2723/4124873629_54c94c2089_o.jpg

[technicolor]

Do you have pix? The kind of deal we all dream about.
Sure.
http://cdn.velospace.org/files/cinelli-side-1.jpg
http://cdn.velospace.org/files/cinelli-cluster.jpg

[zmudshark]

1984 Cinelli Super Corsa w/Super Record group. $550

I paid just slightly more for my '85, so I can believe that. Sometimes the poor economy benefits those who have walking money.

[zmudshark]

One more, a flipper that I paid $1.25 for. Raleigh Competition with Huret Jubilee/TA cranks. I bought a De Rosa with the profits.

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-YzxZNaoHgLU/SKxZD9581CI/AAAAAAAABqg/eL4_WUntd9I/s720/P8072363.JPG

Album here:
https://picasaweb.google.com/109802741580612257492/RaleighCompetition

[zmudshark]

Then there is the Motobecane Grand Jubile with long cage Huret Jubile RD, Campy seat post and Brooks saddle.

https://picasaweb.google.com/109802741580612257492/Motobecane#

I think that paid for another De Rosa, and then some ;)

Ah, the good old days!

[InspectorGadget]

1984 Cinelli Super Corsa w/Super Record group. $550In a 3 way deal where person 1 owed person 2 and person 2 owed me, I got this same bike as settlement of the debt owed me. The amount owed me paled in comparison to the value of the bike. And the price paid by technicolor. :rolleyes:

A gorgeous bike that I would have happily kept it had not been way too big for me.

[cachagua]

1979, I'm working in a bike shop in Atlanta. UPS called on the phone to say they'd dropped a bike frame they were about to deliver to someone, it's a See--, uh, a Sir--, um, it's some S bike, and they dropped it, and it's bent, and do we want it?

The manager took the call, he said send it right over. They brought it in and he says Hey, isn't this your size?

Serotta Club Special, Columbus SL, in the heartbreakingly exquisite blue paint they used to do. The point of the seat lug was slightly bent forward. Just made it easier to get a seatpost in it. Other than that, flawless. At that time, there were all of a dozen guys in Atlanta that even knew what a tubular tire was -- not exactly Cycling Mecca. This was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen in my life

$50. They took it out of my pay in two installments.

I rode that bike for upwards of twenty-five years, during which time I also had numerous other fantastic bikes... but never loved any other bike better.

[jlwdm]

Does this count? I bought two $30 tickets for a raffle on the Serotta and VSalon forums and won a custom Spectrum Custom Super titanium frame. Went to the barn for a fitting.

Only problem was when my wife figured out that it was just a frame, and I had to buy all of the components.

Jeff


http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m617/6ridge9/Spectrum/SpectrumSeatStays-1.jpg

[terry]

god for people who have more money than brains/or must have the latest and greatest.
1. My Legend-$1500, JB paint job and less than 3 months old-too stiff-not for me, tho.
2. My Meivici-$2500, less than 4 months old, and three of those months were winters in Chicago!
3. Seven axion Ti mtb-$800-6 months old, seller decided he needed disc's-I don't.

[soulspinner]

Free Looks from the rep when I worked at a bike shop.Ti axles.

[pbarry]

Tag sale at an old dairy farm in Ashfield, MA. I pulled up, and tried not to walk too fast to an old black bike frame sitting on the lawn. 1905 Springfield lightweight, with no rust. The farmer came over and said he had the rest of the parts: Wood sew up wheels, beautiful leather seat with no cracks, inch pitch chain stored in a jar of oil. I asked what it was going for, and when he said $15, I couldn't get the cash out fast enough.

[Frankwurst]

Older Trek 520 all original parts leaned up on a guys mailbox post across from our warehouse with a for sale sign $10. Nice old guy who said his wife bought it for him at a garage sale to get some exercise of which he wanted no part of. Paid him his 10 spot walked it across the road and threw it in the back of my truck. The rest is history.:beer:

[Frankwurst]

Tag sale at an old dairy farm in Ashfield, MA. I pulled up, and tried not to walk too fast to an old black bike frame sitting on the lawn. 1905 Springfield lightweight, with no rust. The farmer came over and said he had the rest of the parts: Wood sew up wheels, beautiful leather seat with no cracks, inch pitch chain stored in a jar of oil. I asked what it was going for, and when he said $15, I couldn't get the cash out fast enough.

Tough to match that. I'll trade you a nice old Trek.......:beer:

[tuscanyswe]

Bought 5 nimble fly rims for about 300 usd on an ad i came across when randomly looking for carbon wheels.

Turns out 3 of them were 650c. Traded those 3 for a new ti frame/fork from a guy who competes in hand cycling who also happened to import titanium bikes and love nimble wheels. Sometimes it just seem like it was meant to be!

Jeff, thats an Interesting paint on that spectrum. Have you got a shot of the complete bike, looks nice!

[pbarry]

Tough to match that. I'll trade you a nice old Trek.......:beer:

Hee! On the right day, with the right beer bought by you, I might do it. Old Treks rock. :beer:

[pbarry]

Does this count? I bought two $30 tickets for a raffle on the Serotta and VSalon forums and won a custom Spectrum Custom Super titanium frame. Went to the barn for a fitting.

Only problem was when my wife figured out that it was just a frame, and I had to buy all of the components.

Jeff


http://i1134.photobucket.com/albums/m617/6ridge9/Spectrum/SpectrumSeatStays-1.jpg

Best deal ever! :hello: Hope your better half appreciated the value of what you won. Components be damned.. Jeff and Tom's experience in fitting and building cannot be matched. JMO

[spaced_ghost]

bought a Marinoni built Raleigh Team USA, complete with campy dropouts and racing number tag hanger, for $35. rode it for two years, sold it for $600.

Also, bought a complete Basso GAP with Campy SR for $250. rode it for two years, sold it for $800 (it was aesthetically beat by the time I got done with it)

[arazate]

Bought a Bridgestone RB-1 for $75, in pristine shape; girlfriend is very happy!

[pbarry]

Awesome! For another thread: Best GF/Wife/BF/Husband bike you bought/built... ;)

[TC Johnson]

For several days on my way to work, I saw a bike leaning against some garbage bags along with the usual yard sale detritus. Finally stopped on my way home, and saw it was a Bianchi Volpe touring bike. Spoke to the lady running the sale, and she said it was her son in law's and it had been sitting in her shed.

After a little discussion, picked it up for all the cash I had in my wallet that day: $24. She threw in some extras that were in the garbage bags, which turned out to be a full set of front and rear panniers, a rear bag, and a bunch of other stuff for the bike. Once home, I found $34 cash and some change in the bags, three sets of SPD style pedals, and the saddle turned out to be a fairly nice Brooks. Sold the Brooks on eBay for almost $100.

I am finishing a good cleanup on the bike, the racks and the bags, and should have the whole mess ready for sale at the Lehigh Velo Swap in May.

So far, a good deal.

TC

[Len J]

Never built up Serotta 20th anniversary frame/fork off e-bay for $750

Brand new never built Ottrott SE w fork $2,400

Len

[fa63]

I got a Zanconato road frame/fork in great condition with a spiffy two-tone paint job, a Chris King headset, a painted to match Ritchey stem, Ritchey Classic seatpost and a Nitto Noodle handlebar for $1,000. I thought it was a good deal.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m27/fikretatalay/Bikes/P4030005_zpsdc3839d9.jpg

[weisan]

I have been on the receiving end of quite a number of deals in the past, and hopefully have given out just as many deals to my pals. Not sure if this is the best deal but it stands out in my memory. Bought a Bike Friday Tikit for $1k on Craigslist, had so much fun riding it everywhere including MTB-trails and it performed splendidly, kinda like babe, the shepherd pig. Kept it in the trunk all the time, became the perfect truancy bike whenever I feel like it and happen upon a nice trail or section of a road. Did that for a year and a half and having to sell it to get back some cash, got back what I paid for, after all the fun and usage, holds its value unbelievably well.

[spaced_ghost]

I got a Zanconato road frame/fork in great condition with a spiffy two-tone paint job, a Chris King headset, a painted to match Ritchey stem, Ritchey Classic seatpost and a Nitto Noodle handlebar for $1,000. I thought it was a good deal.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m27/fikretatalay/Bikes/P4030005_zpsdc3839d9.jpg

was wondering who snagged that. how's it fit with that crazy head tube?

[zmudshark]

Funny story...

A few years ago, after finding my grail bike for everyone but myself, a NOS De Rosa Primato frame came up for sale, never built, in my size. My BFF didn't trust me to bid enough for it, and actually drove the price up. The seller was very cool, and I got this for ~$600 from the auction site we all hate.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Hu91V6bXGoA/SYyMoirXvwI/AAAAAAAAAIY/adbZHC1MSgQ/s720/P2063006.JPG

[fa63]

was wondering who snagged that. how's it fit with that crazy head tube?

It is perfect for my needs; it allows me to get the handlebar height right without any spacers.

[zmudshark]

We also picked up this Jack Koehler from the original owner, who was Jack's GF back in the day, now built with a Campy 10s triple, but came with a mix of Campy NR and Shimano 600, which was sold for about 4x what the bike cost, which was around $100

https://picasaweb.google.com/117289174440516737292/JackKoehler

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-fMt3ly2_qLM/TbRBQSzUJ8I/AAAAAAAAFpU/ZQH-45r01RI/s720/P1010429.JPG

Shall I go on?

[kramnnim]

I got this 3Rensho for $250.

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3352/3309549041_0ba0122f9f_b.jpg

[zmudshark]

You don't even want to know what I paid for this bike (once again, my wife's size) that had a mix of parts on it, some of which I sold and paid for the entire bike, which happened to be a De Rosa SLX Professional.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-4RslWW6_UmE/TKUVxepnZwI/AAAAAAAAGpk/nX3exbsaF00/s720/P1000308.JPG

[SoCalSteve]

My $6,000.00 Colnago C 59 off of eBay for a bit over $2,000.00...and yes, it is MINT!!!

[zmudshark]

This cost me $200, after I gave a friend $100 to cross the Canadian border to get it.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-sSiHb_gd6Hs/TIJ6oBr-epI/AAAAAAAAENk/ec-rgC9wCUM/s720/P1000024.JPG

[ckamp]

Wow there are some good deals!

Nice full bikes! That tomas is nice, the pedals are worth what you paid..

Purchased:
A track bike for $400.00 sold the parts for $450.00 and kept the frame.

Purchased and Sold:
Recently a zipp440 rear wheel for $20.00, re-sold for $200.00 and a 50th anniv campy quill for $50.00, sold for $320.00. And these are things I used, not just to flip.

[d_douglas]

I bought a Crumpton here from
A very generous Forumite. It didn't fit quite right, which means the deal wasn't as good as I ha hoped, but nevertheless, a good deal.

Second, a time capsule Ritchey Ascent MTB in early 2000s. Too small for me, but I bought it for my buddy as a commuter for $100! He loves it and rides it daily.

It was not stolen, but sold in Vancouver during the height of free ride craze where any MTB with less than 6" travel was not considered a bike :(

[shovelhd]

The Paceline Flipper Reference Thread. Don't sell in Classifieds without it. :)

[19wisconsin64]

from this forum i purchased a perfect waterford frame and fork for a few hundred dollars, which i use as an around town fixie. probably paid one-tenth the price if bought new from a store.

[efuentes]

65 Bucks after I found the frameset next to a pile of old Sears Bikes in an off the track bike shop. :banana:

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z111/mundofuentes/Colnago/S5030106_zpsf6b97fdf.jpg

[d_douglas]

I bought a Crumpton here from a very generous Forumite. It didn't fit quite right, which means the deal wasn't as good as I had hoped, but nevertheless, a good deal.

Second, a time capsule Ritchey Ascent MTB in early 2000s. Too small for me, but I bought it for my buddy as a commuter for $100! He loves it and rides it daily.

It was not stolen, but sold in Vancouver during the height of free ride craze where any MTB with less than 6" travel was not considered a bike :(

[zmudshark]

The Paceline Flipper Reference Thread. Don't sell in Classifieds without it. :)

Fortunately, my flipping days are over, otherwise I would have kept my mouth shut. I only have keepers at this point.

[parris]

A former customer who turned into a good friend gave me a team myata after he bought a colorado. If that wasn't enough the next year I built up a Merlin he had purchased and a few weeks after that he brought in a Davidson f&f that hadn't been built and gave that one to me that as a thank you bro gift!

The neat/spooky thing with him was the he and I could swap bikes back and forth without changing anything in the setup. We ended up trading bikes back and forth for about a year before he went to grad school.

[jet sanchez]

My De Rosa as found, first generation C-Record and Cobaltos plus a Brooks Professional, $375. When I met the seller, she told me that she had had the ad up for a week at $500 but did not receive one email so she lowered the price. I was the only person who responded.

http://cdn.velospace.org/files/derosa002-1.jpg



http://cdn.velospace.org/files/Ben9.jpg

http://cdn.velospace.org/files/ben_CL.jpg

[yetitotheheady]

my best buy was a 1999 Schwinn Peloton (reynolds 853) off of Craigslist for $100 full Shimano Ultegra with a Dura ace rear derailleur, Mavic open Pro rims to Ultegra hubs.

looks a lot like this one (http://bikelust.thisworldover.com/images/schwinn/schwinnpeloton-091215.jpg)

It has a couple of scratches from previous owners but it took me across Iowa on RAGBRAI.

It is going to be for sale soon.

[jamie789]

Steelman Eurocross, dedacciai zero, frame, fork headset and stem for $275. On craigslist. My first CX bike

[yetitotheheady]

Steelman Eurocross, dedacciai zero, frame, fork headset and stem for $275. On craigslist. My first CX bike

awesome, first post needs pics.

[Orrery]

Doesn't nearly compete but I did score an odd frankenbike '86 Schwinn Peloton with some Sugino 75 cranks, Campy NR brakes, Cinelli bar/stem for $50. The young lady was moving and put up a bare-bones CL ad. Too bad it was a touch too big for me. She wouldn't sell the sweet Campy Omega wheels so I had to walk it from Brighton to Brookline.

[cnighbor1]

I got from ebay germany a new Battaglin with chorus 56cm for toal with shipping $675 US

[d_douglas]

65 Bucks after I found the frameset next to a pile of old Sears Bikes in an off the track bike shop. :banana:

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z111/mundofuentes/Colnago/S5030106_zpsf6b97fdf.jpg



Second time today saying that I don't 'do' retro, but that is also a very cool bike!

[d_douglas]

oh, another one:

was living in Switzerland and ventured out to the Alps to do some hiking with my wife and walked past a Mom n Pop shop. There was a pristine metallic pink Spec Stumpjumper with a sparkling XT 7speed group for $250. I couldnt resist, so I bought it for her to use as a 'fast' bike (imagine what her 'slow' bike is like?!?)

Anyways, it looked like it was a window display bike from 1993 (this was in 2008 or so) so it aged beautifully. I wish that it had been an XL frame and it wouldve been mine!

[sevencyclist]

Bought my first bike Cannondale M400 back in 1988 for $360. Got me riding around college campus.

Upgraded to a lugged Bridgestone steel MTB MB3 for $700 in 1991. Rode it a lot and even trashed the headset which was replaced under warranty. It got me to love mountainbiking.

Traded MB3 in for an used Gios Torino with Super Record Anniversary with all the stamped crankset, seatpost, stem etc. Got me to ride the road.

Picked up a new 1991 Bridgestone MB Zip for $1100 which was a screaming deal for that 24 lbs bike.

[bironi]

You're bringing out my hate. My mother told me I didn't hate, but I might dislike. Mom was wrong - I hate many that have posted to this thread. I've got a name list now.:beer:

[pinkshogun]

i was doing my saturday yard sale rounds when i stumbled upon a low mileage mid 1990's Diamondback road bike with 7 speed brifters. i asked the price and the guy said "7". i replied "a little too much for me". he said "you cant afford 7 dollars"?

[e-RICHIE]

What is the best bike deal you have ever gotten?

It was when Campagnolo NA cold called me in 2002 and offered to sell the entire lot of vintage parts
they were still nursing since opening in Houston some 30 years earlier. Best stash I ever scored atmo.

[DarkStar]

In 1989 saw a newspaper ad "bike frames for sale" by a ship salvage company. They had about twenty steel Zunows, two ti, with matching steel forks, part of the cargo salvaged from a freighter that ran aground off Vancouver the previous year.
Steel frames were $200, ti were $300, snapped up a ti frame and fork. Sadly it was far to small, 53cm, ride a 57cm. Sold it for $1200 and bought a Yeti FRO:banana:

[buddybikes]

About 12 years ago went to a used bike sale at a local bike shop where people bring in their old stuff and the shop makes 20%. Picked up a circa 1972 Cinelli all campy record for $275.00 Wish I had kept it....

[rounder]

What is the best bike deal you have ever gotten?

It was when Campagnolo NA cold called me in 2002 and offered to sell the entire lot of vintage parts
they were still nursing since opening in Houston some 30 years earlier. Best stash I ever scored atmo.

Cool. What did you do with the parts, or do you still have them. Just wondering. Thanks

[trangalang]

Complete Bruce Gordon track bike from 1977. Chris King headset, Suntour Superbe Pro cranks, Suntour Superbe Pro high flange track hubs laced to Wolber GTX rims, Mavic track bars and stem, titanium Isca Serfas saddle.

$250

[kramnnim]

Oh, I forgot about the Lemond Team GAN with 8sp Record I got for $100. Top tube had a kidney bean sized dent :(

[rounder]

For me, it was not about the money (not that I have that much).

My first real bike was a Sears Free Spirit, I rode around the neighborhood and I was fine. Then, the Tour de Trump came to town. Freaked out and bought a Bianchi Brava. Bike was fine until I saw a Serotta nhx hanging from the ceiling of my friend's local bike shop. Bought it, rode it and loved it. Bid and won a frame off ebay. Built it and rode it. Went custom with steel and lugs, later with ti, from a well respected builder.

All of the bikes have been good and fun, and good deals to me. It has been an adventure.

[e-RICHIE]

Cool. What did you do with the parts, or do you still have them. Just wondering. Thanks

I added them to what I already had by then, and decided to sell ALL of it on eBay in 2012 atmo.

[Black Dog]

10 years ago I picked up a nice red 54cm 1985 Pinerello SLX with a mix of campy SR and 1st generation Record 8spd Eros, FD and RD. It came with a set magic helium tubulars and open pro clinchers. The seller wanted 400 and when I explained that it was worth much more she said that she needed the space for her new bike and did not want the hassle of trying to sell it for more. I sold the heliums for 300 and gave the bike to my wife who still rides it to this day. Since we ride the same size frame I made her promise that when she leaves me the bike stays!

I lifted this image from the world wild inter webs, but this is very close to the bike.

http://cdn.velospace.org/files/pinarelloMontSupRec.jpg

[rounder]

I added them to what I already had by then, and decided to sell ALL of it on eBay in 2012 atmo.

It's a biz. Ima accountant. I probably would have done the same thing. Thanks Richard.

[e-RICHIE]

It's a biz. Ima accountant. I probably would have done the same thing. Thanks Richard.

I started the collecting/hoarding in the mid 1980s. Last year I looked at it and wondered. The decision to sell was the easiest one I ever made. Every last part was NOS/NIP. Never had a single desire to use any of it. Never thought I'd sell it all either. Funny how it all becomes "just stuff" when the big checks start rolling in atmo. What a country!

[rounder]

You have got your own brand. First Sachs bike I ever saw was about 20 years ago. It was a black Sachs road bike with white graphics. The thing was pretty.

Anyway, I would not compromise on anything.,

[gaucho753]

I answered a CL ad for a jewelry cleaner. As I was about out the door, the seller asked what I planned to do with it. "Clean bike parts," I said. "Oh," he replied, "then you may be interested in this..." Paid full price for the jewelry cleaner plus another $200 and I walked away with this '74 Ron Kit/Speedwell titanium (though it needed a lot of work/additional investment, and still isn't quite finished):

http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/ab69/gaucho510/Ron%20Kit%20Titanium/IMG_6166.jpg

http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/ab69/gaucho510/Ron%20Kit%20Titanium/IMG_6151.jpg

http://i850.photobucket.com/albums/ab69/gaucho510/Ron%20Kit%20Titanium/IMG_6150.jpg

[soulspinner]

1980's Rossi - Super Record.
Full bike - paid $400.00

Had it for a full 4 months. Fathers day....got hit... went through a week of pain and several months of back and forth with insurance company.

Finally got a insurance/court settlement of $2600.00 + sold SR group for 400$.

Good deal? (at the cost of my own life)

Nice table tennis table, bike aint bad either:rolleyes:

[Pete Mckeon]

Is the bike/frame that puts the biggest smile on my face every time I ride it.:)

[Steve in SLO]

I bought a near-new Gitane Tour de France with fully Campy NR at a police auction at UCSB in the summer after my freshman year. I was the only bidder and scored it for $40. That bike was my gateway into cycling. I raced the snot out of it for 6 or 7 years I before getting a new-fangled SLX frame.
That first bike is still with me as my cafe/beer cruiser.
It is the blue bike in this thread:
http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=111614&highlight=Gitane+Tour+France+nashbar

[jensenn]

team edition GT Edge bike in a metallic green color. full shimano 600 in pristine condition for $300.

person i bought it from was around his 40s and told me his buddy raced it in college and was just sitting in his garage.

[mktng]

Sure.
http://cdn.velospace.org/files/cinelli-side-1.jpg
http://cdn.velospace.org/files/cinelli-cluster.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/0SBuk.gif

[Waldo]

sold this colnago after 4 years of use for a $100 less than i paid for it.

If you love the bike it doesn't matter what you paid for it. Love is priceless. I got a Colnago Monotitan frame on eBay a couple of years ago for ~$850. By now it's an 18-year old frame, but it's a fantastic ride. I paid fair market value for it, but to me it's worth many thousands more than I paid, so a huge bargain.

[d_douglas]

I started the collecting/hoarding in the mid 1980s. Last year I looked at it and wondered. The decision to sell was the easiest one I ever made. Every last part was NOS/NIP. Never had a single desire to use any of it. Never thought I'd sell it all either. Funny how it all becomes "just stuff" when the big checks start rolling in atmo. What a country!

amen, brother.