Giving away parts t...
 

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[Closed] Giving away parts to a mate?

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So - helping out my mate and getting him a better bike. I have already got some good upgrades for his existing bike cheap from here. Now I have a nice frame for him to transfer the nice bits onto.

he is a bit skint and the costs are adding up.

Would you give a mate a seatpost, clamp, headset, maybe a saddle? All from my spares collection

How about a wheel? lend the wheel? Again its a spare wheel

How far do you go?

Your thoughts appreciated - ta


 
Posted : 06/03/2012 7:08 pm
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Do you want your hand held ?

Is he a general free loader or just skint. Do you reckon he would do the same for you ?

Are you truly benevolent or require conditions ?


 
Posted : 06/03/2012 7:09 pm
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I do, simply because my spares are mostly lower quality than what is on my bike and if i break something i will probably upgrade anyway


 
Posted : 06/03/2012 7:10 pm
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Give him your helmet, he'll need it, he's new.


 
Posted : 06/03/2012 7:10 pm
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I've given plenty of parts away in my time, if they're for mates then whats a few bits and pieces? I guess it depends if you're gonna have a need for them again anytime soon.


 
Posted : 06/03/2012 7:11 pm
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Happens on Mlehworld repeatedly.


 
Posted : 06/03/2012 7:12 pm
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tj i have seat clamps you can have and a headset
depends my proper riding buddies could borrow a bike if they needed it
an acquaintance a few cheap bits

Not really possible to put a price on friendship - are they proper skint or taking the piss?
Only you know this


 
Posted : 06/03/2012 7:12 pm
 timc
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yer i would, passed on a lot of spares to mates to upgrade their bikes, full set of juicy 5's, tyres, don't even blink at things like posts / stems / saddle


 
Posted : 06/03/2012 7:13 pm
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i gave a mate a barely used rockshox psylo sl fork a few years ago so he could upgrade his old HT.
he's done quite a bit of mechanic work on my car(s) though, and always refused offers of payment for it.


 
Posted : 06/03/2012 7:14 pm
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If you really don't want/need it any more, then why not. you tend to help people that will help themselves. would he lend you a wheel/saddle or whatever back? don't end up being his personal free wiggle/crc! i lend stuff to mates all the time, but then they lend me stuff all the time too - different length stems, tyres to try, that kind of thing. i have given an old mech i didnt need to someone before, but he gave me an old set of cranks for a ss. i guess i would rather give something to a mate and know he was going to use it, than sell it on ebay.


 
Posted : 06/03/2012 7:14 pm
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I've given away whole bikes to friends in the past. Much rather someone else makes use of something than it just languish somewhere.


 
Posted : 06/03/2012 7:17 pm
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Yes.

Given away a frame, a fork, a wheel, some brakes, and last week some new bars

Why not?


 
Posted : 06/03/2012 7:19 pm
 GJP
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If you need to ask on here you are not much of a mate IMO


 
Posted : 06/03/2012 7:22 pm
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we do that quite a bit between us but usually comes out in the wash in other things you can't really 'price up': I build wheels and service forks for free, another mate sells vans and helped me a great deal (and haggled quite a bit off for me!) when I bought our t4. Expensive things will always pass between us at significantly less than we would ever accept selling them on the classifieds. A couple of interesting ales, homebrew or something gift-like and thoughtful seems an 'OK' exchange for what would probably be a lot more in 'real money' too. We also have a 'team bike', (16in scandal), which has several of our 'team's' parts on it (for example I have a back wheel, most of a drivetrain and brakes 'invested' in it) and it sort of fits most of us. It lives with the owner of the frame and technically is his, but is freely loaned out and has been ridden and raced by quite a few of us.


 
Posted : 06/03/2012 7:23 pm
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the answer is surely dependent on a huge amount of extraneous factors that determine whether you would or not. as above, you presumably either know if you will or won't... 😕


 
Posted : 06/03/2012 7:24 pm
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Better being used than in a drawer.

I'm the same way with old tech; I've got a load of stuff that I'll realistically never use but "might come in useful." I'd class a mate needing parts as "coming in."


 
Posted : 06/03/2012 7:25 pm
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Are these bits actually 'spare' TJ or do you intend to use or sell them at some point? If, like me, you take stuff to car boot sales in the hope of getting 20p for them, then don't be a tight ar$ed hoarder (like me) & let your mate have them. 😉


 
Posted : 06/03/2012 7:25 pm
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Its cynical-Al - so probably extracting the urine.


 
Posted : 06/03/2012 7:27 pm
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I've got a load of stuff that I'll realistically never use but "might come in useful." I'd class a mate needing parts as "coming in."

seems reasonable

Ta

Just using this as a sounding board to straighten the ideas out in my head.

Edit - essel - the wheel will get used I guess - the other stuff - accumulated bits


 
Posted : 06/03/2012 7:28 pm
 kcal
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yes. of course.
stuff you mentioned is all small change really, as others have said..

MTFU 🙂


 
Posted : 06/03/2012 7:31 pm
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This is just blatant fishing for compliments, either give him the stuff or don't, but for gods sake don't clutter up cyberspace with your middle class minutae.

I know a top bloke who gave a skint needy (but fast) friend a dh frame. In the benefactors words: "I'd rather he had it than sell it to some seeyounexttuesday on singletrack" 😆


 
Posted : 06/03/2012 7:34 pm
 jb79
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Depends. Is he a higher rate taxpayer? 😆


 
Posted : 06/03/2012 7:34 pm
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Parts in the box Vs warm feeling in the soul, tough call 😉

Go on, help him out, you know you want to......


 
Posted : 06/03/2012 7:34 pm
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yes, my mate khani has upgraded my bike more than once 🙂


 
Posted : 06/03/2012 7:35 pm
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toys19 - Member

This is just blatant fishing for compliments,

No its not - Its a genuine sounding out of opinion - which seems quite a clear response does it not.


 
Posted : 06/03/2012 7:40 pm
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If you feel he is taking advantage of your good nature then no. let him sort himself out.


 
Posted : 06/03/2012 7:44 pm
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Unless you are saving bits for something specific, yeah better a mate gets some benefit than just have them mouldering away.


 
Posted : 06/03/2012 7:44 pm
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So, you have a big box of "stuff" that realistically you may never use, and your mate has a need for said stuff and can't afford to buy it. Why are you even asking the question. Just think about all the space you'll have that you can fill up with new bits. 🙂


 
Posted : 06/03/2012 7:46 pm
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Of course it is TJ, you are adult enough to not have to ask silly questions like this. You know if you love someone enough to give it away or not, and I know you are a caring/benevolent type so it's a no brainer for you. I reckon the recipient hasn't shown enough gratitude so you are fishing for some on here.


 
Posted : 06/03/2012 7:47 pm
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TJ.....being good to a few close friends will make you much happier than selling those parts for a few bob.


 
Posted : 06/03/2012 7:47 pm
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But he wouldn't need these parts if you hadn't badgered him to getting another frame. So of course you are responsible for giving him everything he needs. When do you need the front shifter?


 
Posted : 06/03/2012 7:51 pm
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I'd give spares away to a mate no bother. Just a case of deciding acouple of things. Is it a mate you don't mind giving stuff to. Are you going to regret giving away certain items later on.


 
Posted : 06/03/2012 7:51 pm
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Bikepawl - anytime - no hurry


 
Posted : 06/03/2012 7:56 pm
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yep do it loads, and have given away chris king cogs and the like to folks on here to get them started with singlespeeding etc...or bartered lots of spare kit for beers or a donation to air ambulances and the like.

if it's less than £40 it's too much hassle to sell so I donate/give away to get get more folks riding.


 
Posted : 06/03/2012 8:04 pm
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I take it, you're giving him the forks as well?


 
Posted : 06/03/2012 8:11 pm
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For some balance to this, loads of nice folk on the forum clubbed together and built a bike for someone they'd never even met at Christmas. You're already friends with the guy this thread is about, so put it into perspective and give him the stuff you'd never use anyway!


 
Posted : 06/03/2012 8:18 pm
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I gave my work mate who i also ride mtb with a thorn raven enduro built up with my spares to ride to work - every day i see him riding to work on it it makes me happy - one less car !!


 
Posted : 06/03/2012 9:25 pm
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I'd give a friend the last penny in my pocket, he might not get much for it, but that's not the point.


 
Posted : 06/03/2012 9:30 pm
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I've been given a rather nice road frame with carbon forks and few other bits and bobs, tried to pay him for it but he wouldn't take it. Kind of felt obliged to offer him something for it even though I couldn't afford anything like what it was worth at the time.
I have since given away a helmet, a stem, a mobi jetwash (that was broken, but the person I gave it to knew about electrics and made it work again) and some other bits, just good karma really.
If it's someone I don't know, off here for example, looking for cheap bits that I have, specific bolts for instance, then I'll ask for a donation to Ratcliff Donkey Sanctuary in return.


 
Posted : 06/03/2012 9:35 pm
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I gave my mate a Dirty Bristow, he's been forever in my gratitude since. I would never lend him a bike though.


 
Posted : 06/03/2012 9:56 pm
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Giving a mate at work a set of pedals tomorrow - i wont use them so he may as well have them.... He offered to get the bacon butties next week - done deal

You never know he may offer a favour in the future


 
Posted : 06/03/2012 9:58 pm
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OK OK

I'm a tight git for even wondering if it was the right thing to do. Point taken.


 
Posted : 06/03/2012 10:05 pm
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Someone on here was kind enough to give me a couple of bits. It want that they would have cost a lot but I had no idea where to get them. It was a nice thing to do for a stranger. I hope he felt the same warm glow as me.


 
Posted : 06/03/2012 10:06 pm
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If it has limited resale value and is unlikely to get used by me I tend to give it to others who can make use of it (not just restricted to biking).

I know a few people from here who have bits of mine, I've not asked for payment, usually just ask them to put something in the next charity tin they come across or pass the favour on. Works for me.

All sounds rather smug I know but I'd like to think that more people do it. Reading this thread has, by and large, reassured me!


 
Posted : 06/03/2012 10:18 pm
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Maybe you are a bit Scottish after all.

I've got a box of old bits I wish someone would take. Put a few on the classifieds but no takers.

I'm tempted to put the whole lot up free for collection - lucky dip 🙂


 
Posted : 06/03/2012 10:25 pm
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Is it only me that keeps reading this as ...

Giving away pa[b]n[/b]ts to a mate?

That [u]IS[/u] wrong!


 
Posted : 06/03/2012 10:26 pm
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Been given parts and given away parts...It's called Karma 8)


 
Posted : 06/03/2012 10:33 pm
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I generally charge top dollar to my mates as they are all rich bastards and I believe in redistribution of wealth.

On a more serious note, my mates tend to sell their fancy bits, but donate their old bits, my parts bin isn't good enough for them but I use it to service other occasional cyclist's friends commuters etc.


 
Posted : 06/03/2012 10:43 pm
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Hand them over if its a good friend and you realistically dont think you will use them.


 
Posted : 06/03/2012 10:48 pm
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I've got stacks of stuff that's not worth selling but too good to throw away. Some goes to good homes, every so often some goes to bike charities, some will just become whatever the bike equivalent of biomass is.

Some day I really should go to the scrappies, I've got at least 40 kilos of scrap aluminium in the shed!


 
Posted : 06/03/2012 10:49 pm
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What's this a Scottish person giving stuff away, must be a troll 😉


 
Posted : 06/03/2012 11:01 pm
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He's English.

I'm happy to give anything away that's unlikely to get used by me or not worth much, but most of my stuff is worth something and goes on fleabay or is used.


 
Posted : 06/03/2012 11:51 pm
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Have gifted wheels, seats, posts etc to mates over the years. Loaned someone a complete bike for 6 months when he was having some challenges. It came back as a brand new bike, as in completely new same model which was unnecessary but he insisted.


 
Posted : 07/03/2012 12:18 am
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Yup, i often upgrade my mates bike for him. Bought him new brakes when his other failed, fitted him a new brake hose with all connectors last week don't think he realises how much that costs lol.

I do everythign i can to help him on bikes and costs as he's a top mate.


 
Posted : 07/03/2012 7:24 am
 Solo
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I haven't read it all, so sorry.
Being a bit lazy first thing this morning.

I wouldn't be able to accept the parts for free.
I'd have to give money for them.

However, I could easily see me giving a few bits n bobs away to a friend, if they were parts I really wasn't ever going to use.
After all, there are spares and there are, [i]spares[/i].


 
Posted : 07/03/2012 7:39 am
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The mate you speak of, is unlikely to accept all these parts gratis and will insist on paying. It would be a good idea of what you would like money for and how much.
If you play your cards right you'll be able to use this clear out of parts from your one bedroom yuppie mansion to gain brownie points from SWMBO and get some sticky rubber queens.


 
Posted : 07/03/2012 9:41 am
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Ok so the deed is done - with bikepawls help we have built him up a bike by nicking the best bits off his old bike and raiding our spares boxes. Thanks to the folk off here who helped out with cheap parts as well

[url= http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7070/6833808806_fed4197f24_z.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7070/6833808806_fed4197f24_z.jp g"/> [/img][/url]
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/25846484@N04/6833808806/ ]guys bike[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/25846484@N04/ ]TandemJeremy[/url], on Flickr

So - a decent bike for a newb I hope - especially when the total cost is £200


 
Posted : 13/03/2012 7:09 pm
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I tend not to, gave a crankset to a mate once and it snapped, he went under a truck


 
Posted : 13/03/2012 7:11 pm
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No rear brake?

Some mate!

😛


 
Posted : 13/03/2012 7:13 pm
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good work TJ
I often give mates bits and bobs if I don't need them
just given a mate a Fox air shock which I don't use anymore
once gave another mate a set of Hone cranks
mate of mine gave me a pair of XT cranks once
thinking about building a bike up with spares so a non-riding friend can get into riding
I probably won't give him the bike, but he can borrow it indefinitely


 
Posted : 13/03/2012 7:51 pm
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I've given away a couple of bikes and it always makes me happy to see them ridden. Good karma in my book. However a friend gave away a bike to another friend who promptly sold it on e-bay. There were a few words exchanged about that one!


 
Posted : 13/03/2012 8:14 pm

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