Old boys club?

[MiniNinjaRob]

When you are looking for bits for your retro bike - is it who you know or is it an even playing field?
I've been after a few bits in the recent past and no matter where I look or how many wanted ads I put up I've not managed to get them. But at the same time someone will post up their build and say "got this xxxx for a bargain price to complete build from xxxxx, thanks" - for exactly the same bit I was after.
It's a bit disheartening to say the least.

 

[Andy B]

it is damn annoying though when you miss out on something

but that's just the way it goes sometimes

other times you hit a streak of lucky finds

 

[MiniNinjaRob]

other times you hit a streak of lucky finds

Haven't had one yet!!

Does anyone ever read the wanted section?

 

[brocklanders023]

Can come down to how you word the title of your wanted add imo. I've found if I'm very specific in the title I have more joy. Also comes down to who's looking at the wanted thread. I come on here most days but don't always look in the wanted section.

 

[beavis]

Timing is everything, it would seem.

Keep the faith!

 

[Tad]

It may be people genuinely don't have the bits you're after.

If I have something that someone wants that I don't mind parting with I'll offer it to posts on the wanted forum.

If it's something I was planning on keeping for myself then I do look at who it is, if I know them, if they've helped me out, if they've helped someone else out, what they contribute to Retrobike and so on.

 

[WD Pro]

Hope my bar end sale didn't get under your skin :-( They are not paid for yet though so you never know ...

I normally sell most of my stuff by answering wanted adds - in the last two weeks I sold brake levers and a NOS xtr mech from wanted adds, if I would have seen your wanted add I would have defo responded :-(

Chin up - I think we have all waited ages for the right stuff, I know I certainly have ...

Cheers,

WD

ps : I have retro shoes, new spinergy xyclones (yummy ), nos decals and nos x-lite adjusters up at the moment ;-)

 

[jonnyboy666]

i tend to look through the sale stuff when i need something as sometimes i have posted a wanted ad and had no response but then i see a few days later someone has posted in the for sale section exactly what i asked for!! sods law!

having said that i also agree with IBIF, sometimes i may have the part, not in use but i'd prefer to keep it. for example i have 2 spare m900 xtr front mechs at the mo, i could sell them but it's likely i'd end up needing the same mech 6 months down the line.

however if i actually knew the person asking personally as opposed to just via the forum i'd be more inclined to help them out. i know that sounds a little harsh to the people i don't know aswel as others but on the other hand those users might be people who haven't made the effort to come to events etc.

also i find it's a case of searching everywhere not just here.

ebay uk, ebay france and ebay US, bikestash in the US, gumtree, retro meets, asking in bike shops if they have anything old school, good old google search, there are so many places to look!!

 

[john]

Some sound advice above. At the end of the day collecting retro favours the patient. There are bargains out there, you just need to be prepared to wait. Generally the best bargains I've had are bikes / frames / parts I've not really been looking for. When desperate for an item I've ended up paying top money.

 

[MADJEZ]

Generally the best bargains I've had are bikes / frames / parts I've not really been looking for. When desperate for an item I've ended up paying top money.

Agree totally, and it can be fun to buy a bargain and then transform your
build.

I would never have thought of sticking carbon forks or a bright yellow
Control Tech stem on my Zaskar but couldn't resist the bargains.

Otherwise I would still be sat here trying to get some yellow Judy XCs
and a Syncros stem for a reasonable price (and then mine would look like
everyone elses !).