To NOS or not NOS, that is the question 😵

[Canuk]

I've been helping my pal source some nos parts for a Daccordi restoration. It makes sense for him because the frame is a minter, one careful elderly owner who took it out once a week to give it a good old clean!

The cost has been an eye opener though. We're already at a grand and still the wheels and bars/stem/saddle to go.

Is it worth it? Granted the bike will look stunning at the end, but it's not really practical imo for something other than a show bike.
Super Record rear derailleur for instance, £320... To be fair he picked up the frame for a very good price.

 

[sjcprojects]

I don't really see the point in NOS parts unless it's never actually going to get ridden, which is fairly pointless in my opinion - like you say, only practical for a show bike. I think whenever NOS is silly money (which is very often, as you've found out) it's best to go just one step down to excellent/near mint condition parts. The step down in price can be very big, but the actual difference once the whole bike is put together is going to negligible.

 

[bikeworkshop]

If part of the value is in parts being unused, it would be unwise to buy to use.
I would never buy vintage parts in original boxes, they are for someone else for sure

 

[bikeworkshop]

... in fact, If we ever get any, they go on the bay, I wouldn't keep them in the shop because we don't value packaging

 

[Nabeaquam]

This is a question? I’ve seen a friend go through this. He bought a really nice vintage Schwinn Paramount road racer. I would say it was really nice, probably mint with little use. Now the original make is out of business, Chinese junk now. He sent it to one of the Schwinn family members who still had original decals and paint and had it resprayed to factory specks. He put it together and didn’t like the look because the fame was nicer than the parts, a little wear on the rims. He sourced new old stock rims, spokes and hubs and built the wheels himself. Then the rest of the bike looked a little shabby. He bought pretty much nos everything else. Then he thought it’s too nice and expensive to ride. He took it apart and polished the metal. It now hangs in his bike shop, high and untouchable. He says it’s a project that got way out of hand. One ride, scratches on the rim breaking surfaces or paint would cost $1000 in decreased value. This is a desirable and expensive bike in almost any condition as only the best was used and few made. Most customers, 99%, don’t even notice it, it’s just an old road bike and not a new expensive mountain bike, which is where his money comes from.

 

[bikeworkshop]

Sometimes our bike build behaviour is also managing our personality disorders, a lot cheaper than therapy, and a lot better for you than drinking

 

[Nabeaquam]

Sometimes our bike build behaviour is also managing our personality disorders, a lot cheaper than therapy, and a lot better for you than drinking

Cheaper than golf.

 

[bikeworkshop]

Cheaper than golf.

If you insist on lifetime Diamond Membership at Trump International Golf Resorts including free helicopter transfer

 

[Mark Manley]

I like nos for some bikes but then I tend to use less sought after brands so price is less of an issue, for instance I have just received a pair of nos SR road pedals for less than a reasonable quality new pair, but the Campagnolo you are talking about I would look for excellent condition used.

 

[Tootyred]

Nos is for wall hangers imho. Coz if you ride it, its not new..just good second hand.

Value gone. So why not just buy good second hand for less.

But if you want a new old bike for some reason, then why not!