To NOS or not NOS, that is the question 😵

[Nabeaquam]

About 6-7 years ago I spent $500 for NOS first generation logo Campy telephone dial track hubs with the intention of using them. I wonder what those NOS units would cost today? I bought a very nice looking used set from Spain before the NOS units. One flange was slightly bent and they were not that much cheaper than the NOS units. Used track stuff is usually beat up. Being aluminum I wasn’t sure if I could straighten the flange. I made a jig and brought it back but used these hubs on another track wheel set. Here are what the NOS units looked like before use.

 

[bikeworkshop]

I've got bikes i won't ride if the roads are wet:

https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/colnago-master-gilco-96.480011/

But I built this one with good condition used parts so no need to shed a tear when I do ride it.

Lucky I've got bikes I ride when it's wet:

 

[benjabbi]

I've bought plenty of NOS stuff, none of it still is. I personally couldn't buy something I won't use.
At the end of the day, it's just bike parts, unless you have a house literally rammed with high end rare stuff, you're not retiring off it.
Buy it or not, use it or don't, your choice but it's not the Holy Grail or the Ark of the Covenant. Just an old bit of bike that was meant to be used.

 

[MattiThundrrr]

I bought some nos stuff. Then I had to take it apart, clean, and regrease it in order for it to work. I'm not looking for nos now because it's not any different to me. I won't pay a premium for it

 

[Nabeaquam]

I bought some nos stuff. Then I had to take it apart, clean, and regrease it in order for it to work. I'm not looking for nos now because it's not any different to me. I won't pay a premium for it

I had to dissemble, clean and grease my NOS hubs. I lost a hub bolt, when I was spoking a hub. Of course nothing but a Campy bolt fits, another NOS purchase.

 

[Nabeaquam]

I've got bikes i won't ride if the roads are wet:

https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/colnago-master-gilco-96.480011/

But I built this one with good condition used parts so no need to shed a tear when I do ride it.

Lucky I've got bikes I ride when it's wet:View attachment 908130

Me too, I can even leave them outside, all year without covers. People think it’s yard art and leave them alone, no theft so far. I ride them. The first one was a hack bike and one of my battery and coat hanger/nail welds eventually broke. It’s now an ornament on the rusty bike mountain bike trail. The recipe is three junk woman’s frames, cut off the rear triangles and switch them for the bigger one, cut off the secondary down tube, heat it in the wood stove, bend it over an old tire rim, battery weld it, weld in another down tube to the top, using two car batteries, 4 vice clamps, house wiring for leads, grilling gloves, sunglasses and 5 pounds of coat hangers. A good idea failed in the execution.

 

[Nob]

I personally always favor used as with my custom twists its better for me personally
I have come into a few NOS items but only through close friends or the projects Ive had them Help with & those that I dont use I’ll usually sell.

 

[ferrus]

It does seem odd to buy NOS parts for a bike that’s going to be used, thus instantly negating the singular quality you’ve paid so much more for! Makes more sense to pay far less for slightly used bits.

I have a slightly different dilemma; unused parts bought cheaply BITD. I’d really like to use them (and have) but their stupid market value makes me feel really irresponsible..

 

[bikeworkshop]

It does seem odd to buy NOS parts for a bike that’s going to be used, thus instantly negating the singular quality you’ve paid so much more for! Makes more sense to pay far less for slightly used bits.

I have a slightly different dilemma; unused parts bought cheaply BITD. I’d really like to use them (and have) but their stupid market value makes me feel really irresponsible..

Sell your boxed minty ones and buy a lightly used number with half the money

Leave the Shelf Queens to their own rituals and go riding

 

[Takingabreak]

It does seem odd to buy NOS parts for a bike that’s going to be used, thus instantly negating the singular quality you’ve paid so much more for! Makes more sense to pay far less for slightly used bits.

I have a slightly different dilemma; unused parts bought cheaply BITD. I’d really like to use them (and have) but their stupid market value makes me feel really irresponsible..

I bought a set of NOS Mavic 531 hubs a while back for not too many £££'s. I went through the whole do I use them, sell them for profit etc. Given the current bike parts market my plans are to build some wheels and to get the enjoyment of some use from them.

I guess the thing with NOS is that you know it hasn't has a hard life and so should give decent service