Since pros get new bikes from their sponsors every year or so, just wondering what they do with all their old bikes?
In general, the bikes aren’t given to them outright or for free - at the end of the season they either have to give them back or pay for them (albeit a very low price). So many pros sell their bikes at the end of the season and keep whatever profit they make from the deal.
I don’t agree with the above poster. Go to Veloswap in Denver and you’ll what they do with them. They sell them cheap to make $$$ to get through the off season. Many of the pro cycling teams are there selling a busload of bikes and last year’s clothes. Many Colo. tri pros are there too, selling their “stuff”.
Jessi sells her stuff on the San Diego tri classifieds all the time. Scott Tinley keeps his I swear.
Normann (Napoleon) has even sold a few of his bikes here in the ST classifieds. Simon Whitfield has also been known to dump a ton of stuff here…bike, wetuits, you name it. The glorious life of a pro triathlete often means that you need to find money wherever you can.
I’ve inquired about bikes posted on craigslist a couple of times to learn that they were professionals unloading last year’s bike. Whether or not they had to pay for them at any point was left unspoken.
I purchased several bikes from the Jelly Belly team over the years, at the end of the race season. As a general rule, the cyclists are given one bike each year to keep. The team keeps all the spare bikes and equipment, much of which is sold to help fund expenses the following year. Most teams have adequate equipment allotments from sponsors but are very cash poor. For some teams the sale of equipment can make a significant difference in the travel budget.
You disagree with the previous poster and then restated what he said?
Styrrell
You disagree with the previous poster and then restated what he said?
Styrrell
Exactly what I was thinking.
-C
ebay!
My boyfriend bought one on ebay.
The answer to this depends on the arrangement the sponsored athlete has with the sponsoring company. My arrangements (first with Haral, then Kestrel, then QR, and now with Cervelo) have all been multiyear (at least 3 years on a bike). Then the bike is mine to keep or to sell.
What do I do with my old bikes? I give them to my neighbor and he sells them for me on ebay and takes a small cut. The one below is available now, and he will soon post my 2001 Cervelo P3, after this one below sells.
QR Road & Triathlon Bike 55cm less than 1500 miles New!
I have had it listed in the ST classifieds, but nobody bought it.
I think the part he disagreed with is:
“In general, the bikes aren’t given to them outright or for free - at the end of the season they either have to give them back or pay for them (albeit a very low price)”
As the other posters stated, pros bike come up for sale all the time so it seems that pros are given their bikes and don’t have to return them.