What to do with my bikes?

After much debating what to do with my Cove (20 years old, triple chainset, QR 26" wheels etc), all obsolete - but basically functional - I just chucked it on eBay.

I'd considered things like converting it to a 1x or trying to modernise it bit in the end with the new bike prices (heavily discounted!) it made more sense to just get rid and buy new.

It got a reasonable amount - not hundreds by any means but enough for it to be worthwhile. Buyer was sound, collected in person.

The 26" wheeled bikes may suit younger riders...and bike clubs near you with a junior section? Parents are always on the lookout for a next bike for kids at a good price.

I'm in a similar boat with my 26" Shan

No use for it as I now have the Big Al and the old Kona is my pub bike. 

Has half decent forks and Tech 3 brakes (brakes need servicing/new pistons, but work), an external dropper.

Do I give it away, I suppose that would be the good thing to do?

TBH I'd not bother keeping those hubs, unless you're planning on converting them into condiment dispensers. Anything new will require a different hub standard. Selling a bike complete will be a lot less hassle than selling a pile of parts. 

Ride the sodding things Houns 😉

I was wondering who’d be the first!

I’d need 1 1/8 straight steerer forks (carbon with mounts, or even short travel suspension),

Suitable forks will likely cost more than the rest of the frankenbike is worth - if you can find them at all. 

We got an old ibis mojo 26er in the mother in laws garage (Mrs kilos first decent cf bike). Don’t live near her and she’s in a very little village in Somerset, don’t want to hassle her with eBay shite, so know idea how to get rid of it and it just sits there

Suitable forks will likely cost more than the rest of the frankenbike is worth – if you can find them at all.

That's the stage I'd got to with my Cove.

Replacement anything was either very restricted (like straight gauge 1 1/8" suspension forks for a 26" QR wheel) or more expensive than the entire bike was worth (like a conversion to 1x). I know the old mantra is that selling parts gets more than selling a complete bike but that really only applies to current bikes. Trying that with something old and obsolete (or "out of fashion") will just result in you selling 2 bits and then being stuck with a pile of worthless parts that won't sell on their own.

Just get them on eBay, don't bother trying to Gravelize an old 26er just because it's fancy Ti

All of the bikes you listed will score a decent sale whatever state they're in, people just get bidding fever for some reason and it's all money to put towards a Camino then.

Just bought one of the cheap CRC Escarpe frames to replace my old alu Turner Sultan which is a bit too small for me. The Escarpe is heavier and fugly but hey ho.<br />I will split the Sultan, keep the bits I want (forks and brakes) and put the rest on ebay in the spring.

I still ride my 26" Scott Spark and it rides just as well today as the day I bought it. I can't say I feel held back by it...

Buy a new bike(s) and donate the old ones to a charity

Any old bits and bobs I take to this place, I'm sure there are others

https://bike-shops-guide.co.uk/09766758/Stubbylee_Bicycle_Revival

Santa Cruz will still fetch £300/400 easy enough if it’s in good condition.

Assuming you’ve got hubs with swappable end caps, you should be able to move most of the kit from the Pro 6 across to a Camino shouldn’t you? I’d probably err on the side of making the Pro 6 more camino-y than trying to do it to the d-jab. You can always do a frame swap if it doesn’t do what you want/you see a good deal later.

https://www.recyke.bike

I've donated bikes and bits I've finished with to a local bike recycling charity in the Northeast as well, It's nice to think someone else will gain benefit from them.

I’d like to keep the hubs an headset from the SC

If i recall correctly you had King hubs on that didn't you?

I've got a pair of King hubs from that era that I'm still using to this day with cheap assed spacers off ebay to convert them to boost.

They work fine and are one of my most loved and longest lasting bike bits.

so know idea how to get rid of it and it just sits there

Paypal Gift?

Keep the Ti. Anything shiny retains some value and you won’t get a replacement. The rest, EBay. Oh and ride it! Own the bike for the riding you do now, not the riding you think you’re going to do. 

I have got one last bike lurking in the garage that I don't ride which I am still trying to decide what to do with. It is a 26" Soul that I have really enjoyed riding but have barely touched in the last few years. I did do a half-arsed gravel conversion but once I bought carbon forks for my Solaris even that niche disappeared. I'll probably put all the proper MTB bits back on and use it as a reserve but I think the eldest granddaughter is going to inherit when she is big enough.

29er, mullet, 180mm forks, 12 speed drivetrains and boost wheelsets.

All are only applicable to the likes of us. 'Older' kit, 7,8,9 speed, 26" wheels, 135mm+100mm, short travel or rigid forks and basic drivetrains apply to 90% of the riding public.

I used an old bike as the basis for my eldest daughter.   Now I need to start preparing one for the younger. If anyone has a smaller framed bike let me know.  I love seeing the old bike still being used by my daughter, knowing its used, appreciated and not lost on ebay to a nobody. 

Kilo

Have messaged you about the mojo.🙂

I’m in a similar boat with my 26″ Shan

The Shan has replaceable dropouts that allow you to run 27.5 wheels.
That's what I did with mine and my Oka.

Mostly selling them on to other parents and their older kids as a gateway drug 😄

Also got an old Cove that has become a SS pump track bike (with 150 Revelations) and my wife's hardtail has some nice Cross Max that I can't part with.
Also a steel Kona SS that is a keeper.

I do have some modern bikes too, honest.

I have a 2003 cove hummer with decent kit. I expect worth bugger all but would never sell it anyway as too much emotional attachment. Now has rack and panniers and gets used loads as general workhorse of a bike. I still ride my 1995 rockhopper loads. Perfect pub/station bike. All bikes have a use no matter how old.

in the same boat with a 2010 Ibis Mojo SL that will need a straight steerer 26" fork with 20 mm bolt thru to fit the CK hubs it has on it.  More likely to find rocking horse sh*t.  But it is being ridden by my wife so hopefully the manitou minutes on it will last a good while

• Crazy legs..  that bike of yours was legendary in size alone 

I had a Djab - nice frames, or at least mine appeared to be.

I'd be inclined to see what size 700c tyre you could realistically get in the rear - could be a option to have a monster cross light type of bike with a 80/100 suspension fork.

I’ve a 2005 Cove Hummer..
Rigid singlespeeded….
I’d like to do it up but I’ve not touched it for almost 10 years……