The Pro's Closet at it again

[spoonrobot]

Used bicycles retaining, or appreciating in value (from their new sale price) is something I've so rarely seen; the sale of that Lauf is surprising to me. Bicycles historically appreciated similar to automobiles, where the act of original purchase decreases the future resale value significantly. Nevermind actually using the thing.

I bought a new 105-level Diamondback gravel bike in 2017, looking around online I believe I could sell it for about 20% more than I paid direct from the manufacturer - 5 years ago. Despite the high mileage and worn components. How often has this been true in modern history?

I don't think NOS Campagnolo stuff from a decade+ really has much relevance. Everyone knows rare, in demand, items sell for more. Conceptually equivalent would be something like the GRX crankset which is in stock new for $135 - selling on TPC vintage 2019, used for $180. Not rare, maybe in demand, interesting why it would sell for more than the street price.

[Davist]

Originally Posted by spoonrobot

I bought a new 105-level Diamondback gravel bike in 2017, looking around online I believe I could sell it for about 20% more than I paid direct from the manufacturer - 5 years ago. Despite the high mileage and worn components. How often has this been true in modern history?

Reminds me of when "the wall" came down and we visited family in Hungary, new cars were $5k, used were $10k sight unseen, but you could get a used car...

[fiamme red]

I wonder who buys used custom bikes from TPC with almost no sizing information beyond the photo. For example, this Ottrott is listed as size "medium."

https://www.theproscloset.com/produc...32906074325074

[prototoast]

Originally Posted by fiamme red

I wonder who buys used custom bikes from TPC with almost no sizing information beyond the photo. For example, this Ottrott is listed as size "medium."

https://www.theproscloset.com/produc...32906074325074

If you scroll down you can see it supposedly has an effective top tube of 470mm, a seat tube of 580 mm, a head tube of 190 mm and a standover height of 810 mm. I have no idea who on earth fits that frame, but to say there's no sizing information doesn't seem fair to me.

[cgolvin]

Originally Posted by fiamme red

I wonder who buys used custom bikes from TPC with almost no sizing information beyond the photo. For example, this Ottrott is listed as size "medium." ]

If it makes you feel any better, they do clearly state that "Frame geometry was measured by hand and is therefore approximate."

So … approximately medium

[fiamme red]

Originally Posted by prototoast

If you scroll down you can see it supposedly has an effective top tube of 470mm, a seat tube of 580 mm, a head tube of 190 mm and a standover height of 810 mm. I have no idea who on earth fits that frame, but to say there's no sizing information doesn't seem fair to me.

You're right. I don't regularly visit the TPC site, and didn't notice the geometry information at the bottom. I didn't scroll down past "Got Questions? Call a Ride Guide."

[krooj]

There's some shady internet marketing around TPC - I noticed this post (https://www.reddit.com/r/Bikeporn/co..._campy_chorus/) on reddit yesterday; lo and behold, it links back to an article on the radavist, which is a thinly veiled plug for TPC.

Cycling is already full of companies selling useless crap, and the radavist+TPC appears to be the bottom of that barrel.

[tomato coupe]

Originally Posted by krooj

There's some shady internet marketing around TPC - I noticed this post (https://www.reddit.com/r/Bikeporn/co..._campy_chorus/) on reddit yesterday; lo and behold, it links back to an article on the radavist, which is a thinly veiled plug for TPC.

Cycling is already full of companies selling useless crap, and the radavist+TPC appears to be the bottom of that barrel.

What does that link have to do with TPC?

[krooj]

Originally Posted by tomato coupe

What does that link have to do with TPC?

1. Dude posts bike on reddit
2. Said bike's photos were actually from a shoot done for an article on the radavist (linked)
3. Radavist article is a plug for TPC
4. Radavist & TPC are basically one in the same now

The internet is mostly garbage

[AngryScientist]

That is a very oddly proportioned bicycle up there indeed. I know they helped a lot of people out who needed deep custom, but some real odd ducks came out of the S shop over the years.

[AngryScientist]

Originally Posted by krooj

The internet is mostly garbage

i believe the internet is mostly porn.

[tomato coupe]

Originally Posted by krooj

1. Dude posts bike on reddit
2. Said bike's photos were actually from a shoot done for an article on the radavist (linked)
3. Radavist article is a plug for TPC
4. Radavist & TPC are basically one in the same now

I see a photo of a bike on a forum about bikes. I don't see any links to the Radavist or to TPC. If it's part of an advertising scheme, it's not very effective.

[M_D_S]

Personally, I have no problem with The Radavist and TPC linking up. I see their relationship as beneficial to both companies. I have enjoyed the content that The Radavist puts out for years, and I think TPC is as straightforward as possible in listing and selling their bikes. You don't have to buy from them, but they seem to have a good operation that employs a fair amount of people that is expanding and doing well. Kudos to them both.

[slowpoke]

Originally Posted by tomato coupe

I see a photo of a bike on a forum about bikes. I don't see any links to the Radavist or to TPC. If it's part of an advertising scheme, it's not very effective.

Somewhere in the reddit thread, there's a link to the OP's Radavist writeup, which happens to include a link to TPC. I agree with tomato that this is a bit of a stretch.

fwiw, Prolly has been PR Newswire for bikes forever, so theradavist being a TPC-owned media outlet isn't exactly anything earth shattering.

[charliedid]

Crazy bike retailers selling and marketing bikes, what on earth is next?