Collector's items

When does an old bike part become a collector's item? When a member of the Veteran Cycle Club is willing to pay money for it.

We keep interesting old bits, and if you make a prior arrangement you can come and have a rake. Most things are £5.

Some old bits are dangerous to use in traffic, particularly pre 1970 alloy brakes, so we will not sell these to anyone other than bona-fide collectors.

This photograph shows our mismatched collection of boxes we keep old bits in. Old Hi-Fi fans will note our radio is a Hacker Centurion MK II, with a Garrad turntable.

We keep the following new bits that fit old bikes.

Cotter pins, english and continental

26 x 1 3/8 rims in 36 hole alloy

27 x 1 1/4 rims in 36 hole alloy

Tyres to suit above

Other tyres to fit obsolete rims may be ordered

Weinmann X pattern brake blocks

Rubber hoods that fit many old brake levers

Rod brake blocks

Pink, green and yellow neon cable outer

All spares for the AW hub gear

1/8" chains

Lots of stuff that fits old bikes is sold by Hykeham Wholesale, who we order from regularly. If you see something on their website that you want we can get it for you. They sell tyres for the old type tradesmens bicycles (aka low gravity carriers or butchers bikes).

Things we probably have include:

Cottered chainsets for roadsters

Open face maillard 5 speed freewheels that aren't worn out

Regina freewheels

Centre pull brakes, including Mafac

Simplex rear mechs

Downtube gear levers

Cable clips

Campag hubs

Old tub wheels

Old pedals

TA and other old chainrings, inc Biopace

Old ribbed cable outer

Loose ball bearings in 1/8, 5/32, 3/16 and 1/4. 7/32 on request.

Exciting new old stock

Recently we had a donation of a pile of bits, which included 3 and 4 speed freewheels in usable condition, and some double nipple brake cables that fit old Raleighs. There are also some (15) curious Lucas lights, which might be for bikes or perhaps the top of the front wing of some old car.

Things it is not worth asking about include:

5 or 6 speed shimano cassettes, but not freewheels, we have those.

Half hoods for mafac levers

122mm bcd chainrings in small sizes. There are a few usable 52 rings.

Bluemells mudguards in perfect condition

Charter-Lea

Campag headsets

Note there are no pictures for these parts as collectors know what they look like.

Visit this site if you like pictures of rear derailleurs

We are not really set up for posting things out to people, so before emailing us to see if we have some old bit, try the Old Bike Trader website. This is a lot easier for everyone if you can't come in to Glasgow easily.

For rims, hubs, cones and lots of other stuff, phone the Chandos Hub and Rim company on 01279 758 718, and ask for Chris. Chandos do lots of great stuff reasonably priced, but they have no price list. They may tell you that it will be ready soon, but they've been saying that since 2002 at least. The cones they have made for Malliard hubs are great.