"Everyone is having fun either getting great deals or turning their old junk into fast cash"
The Seattle Bike Swap is coming upon Sunday, Feb. 10. If you’re in the market for a used or new bike, equipment or accessories at bargain prices, you won't want to miss the Swap!
Now in its 18th year, the Seattle Bike Swap is a bike bargain hunter’s paradise with up to 172 vendors under the same roof. Buyers will find great deals on new and used bike-related goods, from complete bikes to small parts. You never know exactly what vendors will bring to sell and what treasures you might find.
“The idea of the Bike Swap, or a big bike garage sale, came from Jerry Baker who was holding one each year in a gym in Wallingford,” recalled Dave Douglas.“The event was mainly attended by a hundred or so bike racers trying to sell their old stuff. I thought it would be a much better event if we could get it out to the masses and pass on some great deals to everyone.”
Douglas started the Seattle Bike Swap in 1996, hosting 52 vendors in the Northwest rooms of the Seattle Center.
The Swap quickly grew and in 2005, the event moved to Hanger 30 in Magnuson Park to make room for over 100 vendors. Since 2011, the Swap has been held at Seattle Center Expo Hall which allowed it to grow to 172 vendor spots.
“Every year we have sold out of vendor spots and we average about 2,200 attendees,” revealed Douglas.
Attendees range from new commuters to bike racers and collectors, all looking to benefit from the Swap's unbeatable prices.
The Swap has traditionally offered fantastic deals on bike gear because bike racers would get their equipment and clothing at a big discount so when they went to sell it, they were not looking for top dollar - just some dollars, said Douglas.
Plus, anyone with a surplus of road, mountain or track bike stuff (components, frames, clothing or complete bikes) can rent a sellers' space at the Seattle Bike Swap.
“Lots of crazy stuff has been bought and sold at the bike swap - you get lots of used, top-of-the line team clothing: jerseys that cost $80 new that have been worn one season go for $5 to $10,” said Douglas, adding that he once scored a new set of Shimano low end wheels –for training –with a 10 speed cassette, tubes and tires for just $100.
Another big draw is the offerings of vintage bikes and parts.
“There is the hard to find retro equipment that have been in a drawer for 20 years that is now cool again,” said Douglas. “What was junk is turned into cash - lots of fun.”
Don’t know anything about bikes? There will be plenty of ready-to-ride bikes priced to sell.
“For me it is one of the best events of the year,” said Douglas. “Everyone is having fun either getting great deals or turning their old junk into fast cash.”
Whether you’re interested in selling or buying, the Seattle Bike Swap is the place to be!
Seattle Bike Swap
Sunday, Feb. 10
Seattle Center Exhibition Hall
225 Mercer St.
General adult admission is on a sliding scale depending upon arrival time:
9 a.m. to 1 p.m. - $5
1 p.m. to 2 p.m. - FREE
Kids under age 15 are FREE all day!
CASH IS KING!
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