"Spider" <
[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "John Morgan" <
[email protected]> wrote in message
news:<qNw9b.55011$cj1.37506@fed1read06>...
> > > > What kind of deals have you found? Anything you want to let us in
on?
> > > >
> > > > I don't know what kind of wheels you want to build (for what
purpose);
> > but
> > > > front disc wheels, in general, are pretty cheap and plentiful. I've
seen
> > > > lots of "orphaned" front disc wheels on Ebay (and elsewhere) at
> > fire-sale
> > > > prices.
> > > >
> > > > Aftermarket fork prices are damned high, though. Like you say, by
the
> > time
> > > > you buy a wheel, fork and front brake, you might as well buy a whole
> > bike.
> > > > (Not a bad idea: Then sell off the parts you don't want on Ebay...)
> Wellll, sort of.
>
> I got my half-disk wheelset from eBay and had them hand-tightened and stress-relieved, and they
> ran very well. I got my Bomber on eBay for an insane-cheap price, mostly because it had a bunch
> of dirt on it, and the paint was scratched. I took off the dirt and the paint, and the damn
> thing worked and looked like a million bucks. I have no doubt I'll be able to sell it for more
> than I paid.
Nice strategy. I've done this kind of thing several times with various frames (Fisher, Cannondale,
Specialized) and various components. Dirt, grease and scratches really drop the Ebay prices.
Once, I bought a mostly-complete Cannondale from a scrapyard for $10. Took it home, stripped the
badly scratched-up paint and polished the frame. I built it up with some stuff from my parts box,
and sold it on Ebay for $185.
> I got my Avid mech set-up from eBay for $110, front and rear, including shipping. It was missing
> the front adapter, which I got from the LBS for $10.
The seller probably had a Manitou fork, and tossed the adapter in the trash. "Parts missing" always
drops the price on Ebay.
> Bargains can be had, if you know what you want, and are willing to do a little fix-up if
> necessary. You just have to be smart about it.
You got it. That's exactly my strategy in a nutshell, and I've scored dozens of great deals (not
just on Ebay, of course).
> While I don't subscribe to many of Barry's ideas...
Actually, you do. You're employing some of my best strategies for getting great deals. It's based
upon knowledge, and vigilance, as much as anything. It works if you know what you're doing. If you
don't, well, caveat emptor and all that.
For those among us who don't seem to appreciate bargain hunting, check this out: Most of my upgrades
cost me nothing, because I buy stuff below market value, and sell them for more than it costs to
upgrade. I've done it for many years, constantly moving up to better and better bikes without any
net cost to me. Certain items hold their value very well: XTR, RaceFace, Chris King and other trendy
brands that newbies instantly recognize and bid on. For me, my bikes are actually a wise investment.
They quite often *appreciate* in value.
-=B=-
