Store/keep or sell?

[Gtpulse]

Getting to the stage where I need to make some decisions about my bikes. I’m only really riding my modern 29er and I really enjoy it.

They take up most of an oversize garage and it’s a space we’d like to take advantage of for kitchen/utility room type activities.

A good friend who has a huge garage loft has offered me the opportunity to keep them there permanently.

My quandary is if they go there while I still own them I’m realistically not going to be using or tinkering with them or even being able to go out and admire them. I’d keep my 29er and maybe an old favourite at home.

Given the above the sensible option would be to sell up most of them but I don’t have the time to maximise/realise what they are worth. Also very aware values aren’t great at the moment.

Any thoughts wise folk of Retrobike?

 

[Gtpulse]

Also any considerations for if I store them.

They’d be in a dry, heated garage, I think I’d at least want a liberal spray of wd40 over everything, dust sheets and a cable lock through the lot?

 

[bikeworkshop]

Throw them down a well, like our grandparents did with their Nortons and BSAs

 

[d8mok]

I guess it depends on your long term goal.

Will you get enjoyment from owning them but not being able to mess with them?

For me , once I lose the ability to store them , I’ll likely sell up.

No point owning stuff for the sake of it if you never get to see them unless it’s a long term investment (they aren’t)

 

[raidan73]

Tricky because these old bikes seem to have a hold over us, or we think they do anyway; nostalgia is a complicated emotion! I have a couple of bikes that are stored where I don't have regular access to them. Ultimately if I can't make the space to bring them back "on site" I will probably sell them.

 

[Gtpulse]

I guess it depends on your long term goal.

Will you get enjoyment from owning them but not being able to mess with them?

For me , once I lose the ability to store them , I’ll likely sell up.

No point owning stuff for the sake of it if you never get to see them unless it’s a long term investment (they aren’t)

I definitely don’t see them as an appreciating investment! I do think that split down there’s a good few £k in there.

Riding as much as possible is my long term goal which I don’t need my retros for except maybe summer rides on a couple of road bikes.

If I’m honest we don’t really need more space at home it’s more a nice-to-have for the other half, and my bikes are a big obstacle physically in the way at the moment!

 

[Gtpulse]

Tricky because these old bikes seem to have a hold over us, or we think they do anyway; nostalgia is a complicated emotion! I have a couple of bikes that are stored where I don't have regular access to them. Ultimately if I can't make the space to bring them back "on site" I will probably sell them.

They certainly do. My grandparents had a decent collection of really early (like late 1800s) bikes. It really upset me as a kid when they sold up as it was a big part of our lives riding and admiring them. Must have been really hard for them making that decision.

The temptation to be able to get on with home stuff is huge. Maybe I could move them all to get started then bring back one at a time to split/sell starting with my least favourites!

 

[raidan73]

If you have a safe option to not get rid of them immediately (and possibly regret it) then I'd take it

 

[brocklanders023]

I'm in a reasonably similar situation to you, ride modern, don't really ride retro, like looking at them, can't help buying the odd bargain whether I need it or not!

I'd sell one of the ones you are least attached to and then see how you feel about it. If you don't regret it then maybe sell another. I wouldn't store them out of sight unless they were rare or had sentimental value as even if you miss a bike you've sold, most can be bought again.

I've had tens of old bikes that I was reluctant to let go out of hundreds of sales over the years. I can honestly say there's only been two or three I have missed when the dust has settled.

 

[Vesatoro]

Sell all but the few you like the most. Someone else gets the chance to love them.