Carlton green wrote: ↑16 Mar 2023, 11:05am
With a focus on finding compatible new and pre-used parts I wonder who members have found is helpful. I’m a great believer in keeping old stuff going but sources of parts, data and general bike knowledge are not always obvious. With old stuff in mind where has others found help?
My thanks for the responses, I try to list the ideas below and have added some of my own too. More ideas would be good.
# The Web and subsequent email. Arguably an obvious one and a bit too general but, as they they say, Google is your friend - if not one that always understands what you want and reliably directs you to it (of course YMMV, I’ve had both poor and great success via Google).
# eBay, loads of bits available there, sometimes at good prices and sometimes not. Caveat Emptor, though stuff is mostly as expected and particularly so from regular traders/companies.
# Buy replacement and consumable parts well ahead of when you might need them, have a store full of bits.
# When or if you scrap a bike then strip it for potentially useful/reusable parts and add them to your store.
# Visit Cycle Jumbles (assuming you have one near) and buy what you need or might need.
# Identify owners and users groups, maybe something on Facebook.
# Visit your local charity bike shop (assuming you have one near) and see what they might have for sale / in their spares boxes.
# Shops that specialise in old/bankrupt stock can be good :
https://bankruptbikeparts.co.uk/
Don’t fret, it’s OK to: ride a simple old bike; ride slowly, walk, rest and admire the view; ride off-road; ride in your raincoat; ride by yourself; ride in the dark; and ride one hundred yards or one hundred miles. Your bike and your choices to suit you.