The used bicycle flea market has become a mainstay in many cycling communities. It's where shops, collectors, and private individuals can liquidate inventory, and buyers can score quality products on the cheap. Colorado's VeloSwap is a prime example.
The annual bike bazaar took place at the National Western Complex this past Saturday, marketing itself as "The world's largest consumer bicycling and sports expo that celebrates all things cycling." We're not sure about all that. Frankly, the best moniker would be something along the lines of "The world's best place to haggle over rusted eight-speed Shimano 105 rear derailleurs."
As it does every year, VeloSwap presented a dizzying supply of old bikes, bike parts and other goods. We scoured the show floor for the weirdest and wackiest. Here's the best of the best. Or maybe that should be best of the worst...
So Many Choices
At VeloSwap you'll find everything from modern carbon fiber roadsters to lots of not-so-modern junk.
1996 GT STS Mountain Bike
This relic from the early days of carbon-fiber bicycles was made with a blend of carbon and a polymer called "thermoplastics." GT only made the STS for two years, but they went so far as to create a sweet video about the bike's design that features a ripping guitar-driven soundtrack. This model was quickly scooped up by a buyer named Drew Little for $200, who said he loved the STS because it was known for cracking. Go figure.
Chicken and Frog Bicycle Helmets
Are you a dad? Do you want to terrorize your children? Voila. Note: Both helmets were adult-sized. Perfect for Halloween.
Box of Seatposts
This photo does not capture the enormous size of this box of seatposts, and it could all be yours for for just $25. Perhaps some aspiring bike artist can create a burning man sculpture made completely of old Suntour posts.
Unfortunate Bike Jerseys
We all know that the cycling fashion world succumbed to pressure from the Ugly Loud Neon movement in the early 1990's. VeloSwap proves every year that designers have flocked to other unsightly trends in more recent times. The "gargoyle-chic" and "Nasty Lance" jerseys seem to take it to another level. But hey, to each their own.
The Bike Owl
This piece of "art" (aka the Bike Owl) has razor-sharp edges that may or may not be slathered in grease.
Continue to Page 2 for more of the weird and wacky from VeloSwap »
Homemade Bike Polo Set
Some crafty entrepreneur was selling his homemade bike polo set for just $20!
Bag of Flip Phones
Every year, some sellers try to hawk non-bike related products, like old telemarking gear or used ski pants. But this year, at least one seller chose to go high-tech. You never know, this technology could make a comeback.
Discounted Tall Bike
Perhaps this seller simply grew tired of the weekly cruiser bike ride, or of toppling over at stoplights. Whatever the case, you can put a price on cool, and at $100, that price is still a little too high.
ENVE Wheelset AND Marijuana-themed Denver Nuggets Knockoff T-Shirt
What goes well with expensive carbon race wheels? A pot-themed T-shirt, that's what! The skill at which this budding marijuana entrepreneur copied the Denver Nuggets logo with such mastery is truly (cough) breathtaking.
Dubious Source
Wisdom from Johan Bruyneel. At $3, that's still asking too much.
The annual bike bazaar took place at the National Western Complex this past Saturday, marketing itself as "The world's largest consumer bicycling and sports expo that celebrates all things cycling." We're not sure about all that. Frankly, the best moniker would be something along the lines of "The world's best place to haggle over rusted eight-speed Shimano 105 rear derailleurs."
As it does every year, VeloSwap presented a dizzying supply of old bikes, bike parts and other goods. We scoured the show floor for the weirdest and wackiest. Here's the best of the best. Or maybe that should be best of the worst...
So Many Choices
At VeloSwap you'll find everything from modern carbon fiber roadsters to lots of not-so-modern junk.
1996 GT STS Mountain Bike
This relic from the early days of carbon-fiber bicycles was made with a blend of carbon and a polymer called "thermoplastics." GT only made the STS for two years, but they went so far as to create a sweet video about the bike's design that features a ripping guitar-driven soundtrack. This model was quickly scooped up by a buyer named Drew Little for $200, who said he loved the STS because it was known for cracking. Go figure.
Chicken and Frog Bicycle Helmets
Are you a dad? Do you want to terrorize your children? Voila. Note: Both helmets were adult-sized. Perfect for Halloween.
Box of Seatposts
This photo does not capture the enormous size of this box of seatposts, and it could all be yours for for just $25. Perhaps some aspiring bike artist can create a burning man sculpture made completely of old Suntour posts.
Unfortunate Bike Jerseys
We all know that the cycling fashion world succumbed to pressure from the Ugly Loud Neon movement in the early 1990's. VeloSwap proves every year that designers have flocked to other unsightly trends in more recent times. The "gargoyle-chic" and "Nasty Lance" jerseys seem to take it to another level. But hey, to each their own.
The Bike Owl
This piece of "art" (aka the Bike Owl) has razor-sharp edges that may or may not be slathered in grease.
Continue to Page 2 for more of the weird and wacky from VeloSwap »
Homemade Bike Polo Set
Some crafty entrepreneur was selling his homemade bike polo set for just $20!
Bag of Flip Phones
Every year, some sellers try to hawk non-bike related products, like old telemarking gear or used ski pants. But this year, at least one seller chose to go high-tech. You never know, this technology could make a comeback.
Discounted Tall Bike
Perhaps this seller simply grew tired of the weekly cruiser bike ride, or of toppling over at stoplights. Whatever the case, you can put a price on cool, and at $100, that price is still a little too high.
ENVE Wheelset AND Marijuana-themed Denver Nuggets Knockoff T-Shirt
What goes well with expensive carbon race wheels? A pot-themed T-shirt, that's what! The skill at which this budding marijuana entrepreneur copied the Denver Nuggets logo with such mastery is truly (cough) breathtaking.
Dubious Source
Wisdom from Johan Bruyneel. At $3, that's still asking too much.