I just don't understand...

[LeeDevelopment]

Now I've only been on here a short time, granted, yet I've spotted a trend already....

.....why do some of you spend all this time and effort sourcing such exclusive parts for these beautiful bike builds only to sell them literally five minutes after finishing them. It doesn't make sense to me.

I'm a kind of a bike-is-for-life person....well sure I've gone through various different bikes in my time but they've been ridden and raced continually, so in effect I'm getting use from them.

So pray tell.....why spend all this time, research, effort and cash only to sell straight away?? Surely it would result in something to be proud of and to treasure?

 

[Pickle]

Because its enjoyable

Some projects are keepers, others are for fun......but have to be moved on.

 

[Tallpaul]

I've built 9 complete bikes since joining (and a few that have passed through my hands incomplete). Of those, I still own five but only two of these are keepers; i'd sell the other three tomorrow if I could be bothered or something nicer came along - which it nearly did on Sunday, but I was just outbid

The ones i've sold have been because they were either too small, didn't like the ride, or the parts went better on another frame which left that one redundant. Several bikes were complete impulse purchases or solely because they were 'cheap' so I never formed an emotional attachment.

For me the build is nearly as much fun as the ride.

 

[jez-4-bikes-max]

Its wierd - I know what you mean.

Its the same in the modified car industry - people spend ages and load sof money pimping or modding a car only to sell it on and move onto other projects.

I guess its a case of wanting what you havent got...

 

[gump]

I know what you mean, but I have the other problem.

Love buying.
Love building.
Love riding.
Never want to sell any

 

[perry]

as with most things there are those that will use the equipment to its fullest with little regard to the stuffs longevity . basically just wanting to ride and using something half decent until it wears out or breaks then goes onto the next stuff . the people who dont spend a lot of time talking about it but instead doing

then there are those that regard the history and engineering in high regard , they see the beauty in something where the first guy was only concerned in the performance . but because of this the second guy enjoys the fettling and building more than the looking at so once a bike is complete or near enough they are taken by the next shiny thing to take their eye .

im sure there arnt many people here that havnt bought a part thinking " thatl be great to use " but once its in their hands or bolted to the bike the voice in the back of the head is saying " oh come on itl be a shame to wear that out "

its comforting knowing there are people who are preserving the history of this stuff

 

[LeeDevelopment]

I guess I'm also classed as a horder, have all these knick knack parts from my older builds, many of them 'retro' (Ringle, Pauls, Brooklyn, Pace, Middleburn etc). But I save them as 'they might just come in handy again'.

I can now see what you mean by no emotional attachment as Jez has just said "Wanting what you haven't got" I agree there too and indeed adding the fun of the build. Again I'm building up a hardtail as I type this so can directly relate to that, all parts are ready and the frame's at the sprayers, tres excited to get it built up and ridden. It won't be a seller though as it is the first of my own frames. And of course the bastardised cyclocross frame build in the not too distant future too.

Yeah OK, I can see and appreciate how it works, on the plus side it means there's a continual turn over of top end well looked after parts......which is always a good thing!

Everyone's different.

 

[Huntso]

The thrill is in the hunt for the precious

 

[dbmtb]

Now I've only been on here a short time, granted, yet I've spotted a trend already....

.....why do some of you spend all this time and effort sourcing such exclusive parts for these beautiful bike builds only to sell them literally five minutes after finishing them. It doesn't make sense to me.

Oh it's not just me then....

I got my head torn off in another thread for proposing a similar opinion and wondering why people had got bikes and lego mixed up.....

 

[Dr S]

The thrill is in the hunt for the precious

You've hit the nail on the head there Huntso.
I just love building up bikes, deciding what to go for and then tracking down those parts and bringing it all together is all part of the fun. When it's done it's done. If I had a bottomless pit of money I would keep them all but the urge to build another project always outweighs the desire to keep a finished bike.
When asked about which of his cars was his favourite, Enzo Ferrari would always reply ' the next one'. I think he was right!

Happy hunting