The Ins and Outs of Bike Swaps

Plan to attend the Chicagoland Winter Bike Swap, February 12, 2023, 9:30am to 2pm at the Kane County Fair Grounds, St. Charles, IL.

A bike swap is an in-person event that celebrates bike culture.  People with bikes and parts to sell set up tables with their merchandise to allow people who are interested in used bikes or components and accessories to browse and negotiate a deal.  Vendors at bike swaps include bike shops trying to liquidate inventory, both new and used, and individuals who have lots of bike related items they no longer need.  If there is a bike swap near you, it is a fun way to soak up cycling culture and find items at a bargain.

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​Why Sell at a Bike Swap
If you are handy and do a few repairs and upgrades on your bike or are a long time cyclist lots of cycling gear, you are likely to have extra parts and accessories that you can no longer use.  You might have a complete bike you no longer ride that you want to see in a new home.  These bikes, wheels, frames, forks, handlebars, cranks, tires, jerseys, and shoes might be of use to someone else.  If you find a new owner for the bike, parts, and accessories, you can feel good about decluttering, keeping items out of a landfill, plus you can make a little cash along the way. 

Bike shops, either open or recently closed, also have new items that are not moving quickly enough that they want to discount them and move out.  They also work on bikes and have used components that may have useful life left in them that would help someone else get going who is handy and on a budget.  There is a fee for renting a table at a swap so you would need to estimate whether your profit would be enough to cover that cost.

Why Buy at a Bike Swap
A bike swap is all about cycling and everyone there is an enthusiast so it is a great way to spend a few hours in the company of like-minded individuals for inspiration and to make new friends.  Even better, bike swaps are often held during the winter when you might not be doing much outdoor riding so it is a way to keep your excitement about cycling alive and get prepared for the busy season.  There is usually a small admission fee.
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Browsing the used bikes in the Bike Corral and tables of new or used items for sale you need for your next project or an accessory for comfort, such as a saddle, light, helmet, or gloves is fun.  If you are in the market for a specialty bike style with a traditionally high price tag because they are mostly one offs that cannot take advantage of manufacturing efficiencies, you might find a used one at a bike swap that meets your needs.   Examples are adult tricycles, recumbents, or tandems but traditional road, hybrid, and mountain bikes are also available.  If your budget dictates that you seek a used bike or components, a bike swap is a good way to inspect the items before you buy for quality, something you can’t do when buying on an online marketplace.  A bike swap is also an opportunity to chat with the bike experts who are selling and ask for advice on the exact style of bike or component you need.  You’ll also feel good buying used items that still have life left and saving money.  

Example of used specialty bikes you might get a deal on at a bike swap

​Tips for Getting the Most out of a Bike Swap

1. Things to do before heading to the swap
   Make a list of items you are shopping for.  Do some online research to find prices so you will know if you find a good deal.  Also set out a backpack or bag to bring with you to carry your purchases or a bike rack or vehicle to transport your new (to you) bike.  Set aside some cash, preferably in small bills, in the amount you think you might spend.
   
   
2. Arrive early
   The good stuff will go fast so plan to get there right when the bike swap opens its doors to the public.  Vendors are allowed into the hall 1-2 hours earlier to set up and this gives them an advantage to look around and snag bargains before the general public.  
   
   
3. Start off by doing a walk around of the entire floor
   Cruise by all the vendors to see what is available.  Make a note of which tables or booths have items you want to come back to and explore further.  If you see something you want and it’s a good price, buy it right then.  Items in demand and at good prices will go fast, so don’t wait and risk disappointment when it's not there the next time you walk around. 
   
   
4. Make the next pass(es) with the objective of bargaining and buying
   Do another sweep around this time taking your time to examine what is out there and to find vendors selling what you need or want.  Vendors expect buyers will want to negotiate, so they may price items high.  By knowing what things cost if you buy them new online, you will know the price you need to match or beat and be willing to walk away if you can’t get it.
   
   
5. Wait until near the end of the show for the best prices
   Most vendors bring items they want to be rid of and don’t want to take back home so prices usually will be marked down for quick sale towards the end of the show.  If there is something you want but can’t get the vendor to agree on your price, you might wait and see if the price changes.  This is risky, of course, because someone else may come along willing to pay their price or the vendor may decide to just take the item back home.  So wait for a price drop only on items you can live without.
   
   
6. Buyer beware
   Inspect everything that you buy carefully before handing over the cash.  If it is in a box make sure what’s inside is the item as advertised.  If it is a used component, make sure it still works and does not have parts missing that are needed to operate correctly.  If it is a complete bike, test ride it before you take it home.  A bike swap is a one-day affair and all sales are final. 

Earth Rider table at the Brazen Dropouts Bike Swap on Jan 21, 2023

Some bike swaps allocate tables for local bike advocacy organizations to spread their message and some offer presentations on interesting topics of current interest to cyclists led by cycling instructors or bike experts and some feature trick bike riding demonstrations.  When you are tired of shopping there may be other things available to be amused by. 

Attending a bike swap is a great way to buy or sell bike items, see things you may not know you need, talk to bike people, and soak in the cycling culture for a few hours.