Ohio swap meet

[Fv2]

Still about a month away. My friend Carrie told me about it so I thought I'd share.

Sunday March 13, Franklin county fairgrounds.

http://ohiobicycleswapmeet.com/

 

[Toeslider]

I'll be there with a delivery van full of parts. Decent turn out for the first one last year, probably better this year. Nice mix of big vendors and little guys. I bought a bunch of stuff last year, this year I'm selling.

 

[Fv2]

Sounds good, I didn't go last year. I'm looking forward to it.

 

[rfeagleye]

Also attending. Didn't get there last year but heard there was a big crowd.

 

[partsguy]

I heard it was mostly new stuff? Is there a lot of vintage too?

 

[Fv2]

I heard it was mostly new stuff? Is there a lot of vintage too?

That's the way I have it understood. I think more new than old, I guess I'll see when I get there.
I imagine once people know there's a swap in central Ohio more older stuff will show up.

 

[Raoul Dude]

Define "new stuff." I'd say that most of the stuff there was "used" but less than 25 years old. There were NOT a lot of 50 year old bikes or parts that I saw, though I didn't spend much time in the "used bike corral" either.

I picked up a gently used, sort-of ergonomic road saddle that's probably only a few years old -- it's the kind that a tool bag CLIPS INTO a specially designed slot in the back. buzzrocker13 picked up a set of Woodchipper-esque off-road drop bars and a set of 8 (?) speed bar-end shifters, neither with obvious wear but without any sort of packaging either, so all three of those are what? Ten years old or newer?

There were a handful of older balloon-tire bikes and parts, but for me it was mostly like "the history of bicycling since the mid 1970's, as a 50 year old personally experienced it."

"I had one of these! And one of those...and WANTED to buy one of those early aero-bars but was getting into mountain biking instead...hey, remember these?! And when did THOSE come out? Okay, I wasn't really into road bikes by that point...."

So, yeah. Newer stuff, mostly older than the bikes and parts that show up at the bike co-op, but also generally in better shape.

But, since admission and parking are free and relatively plentiful, it's probably worth a short drive -- based on the first and only one, I'D gladly drive a half hour to do it again, even if the event stayed the same size. If it was an hour away, on the far side of Dayton? Probably, if it wasn't snowing. TWO hours to Cincy or Cleveland? Ummm...maybe not.

 

[Toeslider]

Bumping this up for tomorrow. This is what I will be bringing. Going to try to hang near the truck unless its driving rain and lightning. In addition to this I'll have 8-10 more bikes.

There is a decent mix of everything from new to old, but a fair portion is bike shops like Bike Source and Trek Store getting rid of closeout stuff. I don't really have any rat bikes this year, but I do have rat parts, including everything I have for sale in threads on the forum. Some people bring Krate-type bikes, not as much ballooner stuff. Still worth checking out if you're into bikes! You will find tires and seats for projects (saw two new Brooks saddles go for I think $40 each from a bike shop, somebody here got one), a fair amount of vintage BMX last year, check it out!

 

[Fv2]

I'll look for your truck, I think my oldest granddaughter is coming with us. The rat seems to have bitten her, and she wants to pick her own stuff. Best part, she's only 7 and this is her start in the hobby.

 

[Toeslider]

I'm bringing a bunch of kids bikes this year, since I didn't see many last year, but they're all Trek/Specialized bikes, or BMX bikes.

 

[Fv2]

We'll see what shows up, she has no idea what she wants.