what do you do with spare parts?

[HaYWiRe]

Odd topic but I'm usually good for these, what do you guys do with all the spare parts you accumulate over time?

I see a few of you selling old stuff cheap and there's probably more of you with sheds will of spares and bits.

I'm starting to find myself with a growing collection of parts that I dont know what to do, whilst they could be saved for a future project or bike build, I wonder wether I'm just saving stuff for rainy days again.
Would this get more use in the hands of someone else?


Ive donated and sold things from my other hobby but that was easier given how little I get to do that nowadays, cycling is still at the forefront right now which makes decisions harder.

The more I think about these things the emptier my place is getting, that's a good thing right?

[Steezysix]

For bigger things - wheels, forks, frames, etc, I try to sell or give to friends. With smaller stuff that's not worth the hassle, I tend to donate. Luckily the Bristol Bike Project is not far from my house and I think what they do is pretty good, trying to get people on bikes that may not be able to otherwise.

[jam bo]

i've started being pretty ruthless and either binning stuff, giving it to friends who need stuff or giving to the local bike charity (ride-on in exeter)

[HaYWiRe]

I have to look into something like that around here, those bike scheme type things seem an excellent idea.

Ive been organising parts into groups today. Brake pads, calipers, pedals, grips, stems and handlebars seem worth keeping as these either wear out, or just get changed based on taste, terrain, riding style and I've moved to and fro with this sort of thing.
But I've got an entire 3x 8 speed road groupset taking space and I really cant see myself ever using. And will I ever put a front derailleur back on my mtb? Unlikely.

Its not like I know any local riders these could be sold/given to, damn my antisocialism!

[fatbikephil]

They all go in the loft as I'm bound to need them again at some point . In fact typically when I do get shot of something I end up needing it again within a matter of weeks. To be honest by the time I've finished with stuff its wrecked but I did collect quite a few frames in recent years which got used for a bit then changed. I will advertise them at some point....

[slarge]

Boxes in the garage, but just about to throw 6 old wheels out and a mate asked if I had a pair of old cheap wheels to put on his kids bike he's selling. Lucky I held on to those for 5 years!

Got sets of cranks, old cassettes, mechs, brakes, tyres, wheels, bars, stems etc etc all waiting for an opportunity to be offloaded or reused.

[Sarah]

I keep toying with making something arty, like an annoying wind chime, but havent got further than linking a few old wheels to make a support for jasmine to grow up.

Does anyone know of any bike charities tgat would take components in the North West? I think there used to be one in Hebden Bridge, anything near Preston or Lancaster ?

Thanks

Sarah

[AlasdairMc]

I hoard. I sold a frame and forks recently but left the bike as a full build so the buyer could try it out. My plan was to swap the parts onto something else but I've now discovered that I'm only a chainset away from having a full spare build, and even then I've got an old chainset I could use. I think a clearout is required...

[Pyro]

House for ages, then try and sell (with varying degrees of success) usually just as demand for any given item plummets...

[voodoo_simon]

The mechanic at works welds all the old parts into pen holders, clocks and even fruit bowls!

[Zippy]

The mechanic at works welds all the old parts into pen holders, clocks and even fruit bowls!

Photos please I fancy doing a bit of that the in my 'spare' time.