7 Strange & Sexy Bikes From the Pinkbike BuySell

Jan 2, 2024
by Dario DiGiulio  
photo
Art by Taj Mihelich

The vast and fascinating wilderness that is the Pinkbike BuySell currently contains about 74,625 objects, and I've personally sifted through every single posting to pull out these highlights for you. Luckily that's not actually true, some gems just happen to stand out from the crowd so I picked the tallest poppies. Enjoy, maybe even treat yourself to a new whip.




2014 Yeti SB66 26/27.5" Mullet

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Not a dropper post, more of a tilter.

With a linkage fork, linkage seatpost, and a hot little mini-mullet wheel setup, this Yeti is certain to turn heads if nothing else. The teal build kit is consistent, all the way down to the SwitchLink pivot - Yeti's first pass at their now time-tested Switch Infinity layout. Sure, the 130 front / 160mm rear might act a bit odd on trail, but maybe it's the future the rest of us just haven't figured out yet. Shout out to my boy Carl for the heads-up on this alien spaceship.

BuySell Link



2001 Cannondale Super V Raven

photo
Beefcake.

This little looker has what might just be the scariest seatpost situation I've seen this week, but boy does the main frame look robust. The Super V used a magnesium 'spine' covered with a thermoplastic carbon fiber skin, cutting-edge technology for the time. The rear triangle looks a little wimpy in comparison, and the Headshok can only do so much to take the edge off, but it's best not to think about these things.

BuySell Link



2012 Custom Ken Erikson/Maverick Rear

photo
Whoah.

This strange amalgamation of parts is definitely one of the more unique frames I've seen pop up on the BuySell, if anything because I'm guessing there's nothing else out there quite like it. No info on whether the rear damper still works - or if it's even a damper - but if you want a 70° seat angle and the truly gamechanging 69er wheel layout, then this might just do the trick.

BuySell Link



1999 Ibis Bow-Ti

photo
Beautiful, like a bird.

For the price of a brand-new HD6, you could instead have this gorgeous 25-year-old armature of titanium tubes. The Bow-Ti was hailed for its efficiency and light weight, but the suspension performance left something to be desired in the bump-eating and not-throwing-you-over-the-bars department. Regardless, it's a beautiful piece of cycling history, and I'm always left staring if I encounter one in the wild.

BuySell Link



A $239 Sticker Kit

photo
The definition of "I know what I've got."

It's hard to put a price on nostalgia, but this PB user gave it their all. For only a few hundred bucks, you can relive your late 90s BMX dreams with some new old stock stickers.

BuySell Link



2002 Nicolai Nucleon DH Reproduction Frame

photo
Ready to handle that 25-stair you've been eyeing.

Brian sent this hog my way, presumably because he's been eyeing it for himself for the past few months and wants someone else to buy it so he's not tempted any longer.

This bike was part of what landed Nicolai an ISPO DuPont BrandNew Award back in 2002, with its visually impressive manufacturing techniques and shock packaging really showing what they're capable of. The in-frame Rohloff hub drivetrain is one of the first solid attempts at a gearbox DH bike, with the added benefit of having user-serviceable parts for the existing system. It performed decently well on the world stage, landing a 23rd at World Champs that year and claiming some good results throughout the season.

This period-correct re-creation is a rideable piece of visual memorabilia, even though it's not technically the original equipment. But if you believe hard enough, it just might do the trick.

BuySell Link



2020 SE Fixie with Bafang Mid-Drive Motor

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I pray this has a freewheel.

If the visceral excitement of careening through traffic on a brakeless track bike isn't enough for you, this modded fixie might provide the kick you need to feel something again. I commute around town on a fixed bike, and the idea of having a pedal-assist system pushing you faster and faster into your cadence redline is the stuff of nightmares. It's hard to tell from the photos, but optimistically this thing has a freewheel, so you don't dislocate a hip while trying to powerskid against the cold-hearted watts of Bafang.

BuySell Link



With so many compelling options, I know it can be hard to make a choice. Luckily each of these is still up for sale, so you can barter to your heart's desire and roll one of these beauties out to your local trailhead just as soon as you figure out how to ship a homemade e-bike.

Author Info:
dariodigiulio avatar

Member since Dec 25, 2016
167 articles

149 Comments
  • 139 5
 That sticker kit is still a more logical buy than those riding overalls from POC
  • 35 0
 DK SOB was the Colin Winkleman frame, he sadly took his own life in 2005. He was an absolute legend to old guy's like me.
  • 11 168
flag 14pslope (Jan 2, 2024 at 16:14) (Below Threshold)
 wow you really sat on this comment for long time and it's still very subpar
  • 18 0
 @14pslope: Thanks
  • 94 0
 @14pslope: If anyone would like their comment critiqued prior to posting, hit up @14pslope
  • 36 2
 @14pslope: OVERALL, your comment is subpar.
  • 1 0
 @chriss78: I had to give that name a google and got this story - deadspin.com/sportsnation-unaware-that-weird-web-story-had-tragic-5463552

Depressing to say the least
  • 1 0
 @deaf-shredder: Yeah, tragic....
  • 6 1
 @14pslope: I only see one subpar comment here.
  • 5 0
 @chriss78: I bought a DK SOB brand new from a bike shop in El Sobrante in about 96 maybe? Thing was so heavy
  • 11 0
 True story. He wanted to call the bike "The Mother f*cker" Obviously that was a no so, settled on the "Son Of A Bitch". Even then shortened to the S.O.B which if asked.... Stood for 'slightly over built'
  • 2 0
 Found a set of original Kuwahara stickers in the late 90s for my repainted 80s frame… none of them would stick
  • 1 0
 @majunior: yeah old stickers are good for the 'sticker book' I got some old 70's BMX race numbers. Rad as Fk but too old to be of any use..
  • 6 0
 @upundu: I had a DK General Lee, then had a S&M Sabbath - lacquered bare metal ace bike's. I loved PROPS era BMX
  • 4 41
flag 14pslope (Jan 3, 2024 at 5:06) (Below Threshold)
 @chriss78: wasn't talking to you obviously
  • 3 43
flag 14pslope (Jan 3, 2024 at 5:09) (Below Threshold)
 @alexhw: calm down buddy
  • 1 0
 @14pslope: what a negative comment
  • 2 0
 @chriss78: I had a General Lee too, it was a better riding bike than the sob. I had a dirt bike too but the geo was weird, I couldn’t really ride it. My favorite bike of the era was a standard trail boss. I loved that thing
  • 1 0
 Sticker kit guy has no cell phone, he's a time traveler from that era just gouging modern day nostalgics.
  • 4 0
 @upundu: When the Trail Boss gets a mention I think of Levan and that Austin gap.
  • 3 0
 @chriss78: Road Fools was the Best, my fave time of riding bikes
  • 2 0
 @chriss78: I had to watch it again because I didn’t remember it. That landing was crazy, and no helmet. All those guys look so young. I loved when a new road fools came out
  • 1 0
 @majunior: hit up stikrd
  • 48 2
 I randomly found this and it belongs here. The guy probably hates seeing it sit in his garage not being ridden. He's probably a great guy. It's probably making rude comments at his new bike during the night. Don't ask me how I know all these things about him. Someone should buy this.

www.pinkbike.com/buysell/3640233
  • 9 0
 this is cool
  • 5 0
 I don't understand how that thing hasn't sold. If it was a large I'd be on it like white on rice.
  • 15 1
 Wow, that Reeb is really sick.
  • 1 0
 I was curious but couldnt find geo info for it.
  • 1 0
 That temptress has been calling me too..
  • 4 1
 shame it doesn't have a gearbox ...
  • 2 0
 Only 950 miles? It's barely broken in!
  • 2 0
 @speed10: I'll send you the geometry. I hate seeing it sit this long. I posted this in hopes of marketing it Smile
  • 2 0
 @poncho467: thanks man, I’ll check it out. Someone needs this bike!
  • 1 0
 I have been eyeing this bike for a while now! If it was closer to me I think I would have jumped on it already. For some reason shipping is daunting to me
  • 41 0
 I was working at a Cannondale dealer when those Ravens were being sold. If I remember correctly, there was a recall or some sort of issue with the seatpost clamps and they were failing. Scary to envision but no surprise there. The solution Cannondale provided was to turn the frame upside down and squeeze a giant tube of epoxy into the H2O bosses on the mast so it would fill the seat mast at the inner location of the seat post clamps. "We filled your seat mast with glue, your recalled bike is now fixed. See ya in a few weeks to get your headshock serviced yet again."
  • 7 0
 You remember correctly, but it was something like three or four separate recalls. It started with collar for the seatpost, then a tube of epoxy. Eventually the last fix was a box full of a half dozen separate tubes to two part epoxy foam that had to have filled the entire seat mast.
  • 1 0
 My understanding was that the major flaw was with the aluminum bottom bracket section pulling out of the carbon front triangle. This was a major issue with the 2001 Ravens and the fix they tried to do (drilling and pinning the joint) never worked out and led to them discontinuing the carbon "raven" version of the Super V. From what I've heard they're a bit of a time bomb, with or without the pinned BB connection. This is based on www.mtbr.com/threads/the-cannondale-raven-thread.723900 and it's also mentioned on wikipedia. I wasn't there in 2001, I just like reading about retro bikes. Seems like the carbon version of the super v was too much too soon.
  • 2 0
 @duggla55fir: You might be right, the last box of epoxy might have been for the bb. All I remember was how the look of perplexed horror on the owners face eventually turned to laughter by the third or fourth time you called them back into the shop.
  • 2 0
 @cjeder: I specifically remember filling many of the seat tubes with epoxy! I dont recollect the BB issues but dont doubt that either. Bikes are so awesome these days compared to back then!
  • 1 0
 This is correct, as well as the epoxying the BB area. And re-setting the Headshox needle bearings. And working on the Coda discs. I was on a first-name basis with Cannondale techs back then. To be fair, their techs were always super patient, generous, and responsive.
  • 2 0
 @nooch98: For sure. Our Cannondale rep at the time was probably the best rep Ive ever dealt with. Amazing guy and kept the brand in good standing with us. The legendary Murray Washburn!
  • 31 0
 the nucleon clone is impressive work. curious how that (level of visual accuracy) was accomplished. too bad the geometry wasn't modernized, though; could be a neat retro-tech build with contemporary numbers.
  • 4 0
 Totally agree. Missed opportunity, and why, oh why did he paint it black?
  • 8 0
 @CarbonShmarbon: probably to cover the welds he cant replicate.
  • 1 0
 @onetrykid: AFAIK Nicolai still have all their frame jigs so could probably build one fairly easily although the metric ton of milled parts would be a pita....
  • 31 0
 Pinkbike in 25 years will have a field day looking at old Unnos and Poles.
  • 26 1
 "It's hard to tell from the photos, but optimistically this thing has a freewheel, so you don't dislocate a hip while trying to powerskid against the cold-hearted watts of Bafang." Nice writing!
  • 23 0
 The Ibis Bow-Ti was the thing of dreams back in the day. I would be fun to ride, just to see what all the hype was about.
  • 4 0
 Pretty sure RC or another OG did a review on that bike and said you can grab the rear wheel and flex the whole rear end side to side pretty easily. Cool to see these retro hits.
  • 9 0
 It was a total noodle. The Szazbo was even weird to ride because it had the most insane brake jack. Doesn't stop me from still wanting one. Both bikes were such incredible examples of creative thinking.
  • 4 1
 No wonder Ibis left the Straight-Top-Tube Gang and just returned with the HD6.
  • 6 0
 Yeah I got to work on one about 10 years back. We all drooled over it then proceeded to squeeze the back end between our legs and twist the front wheel 30⁰ in each direction with the bars straight while pissing ourselves laughing! Such a circus of a bike! I can't imagine pushing it hard into a corner.
  • 8 0
 The shop I worked at in the '90's sold two of them to a couple. Full XTR builds with the highest of high end parts except the 6" rise handlebars and extra wide gel saddles. They had just sold their company to Home Depot for $40M and wanted cool bikes to ride to Starbucks. Some things never change.
  • 1 0
 ooof, i bought a Szazbo frame from Ibis when they were moving from their Sebastopol shop and that thing was NOT the bike to ride (up or down) when your home trail started at 7k feet. Also got to ride a bow tie at an early Sea Otter - Never ridden anything before or since that had more lateral sway - i have no idea how that thing ever got out of prototype. sure did look cool though
  • 20 0
 Possibly those crutches are included with the fixie?
  • 2 0
 When I saw fixie and motor in the same sentence my jaw dropped
  • 6 0
 That's a hell of a bike, but dang, 18000 USD!!
  • 2 0
 been eyeing that up for a bit.
  • 10 0
 Super Monster-equipped vintage DH builds are the definition of "I know what I've got."

For a collector with taste, that Race Link really deserves a set of Doublewides, Raceline Yellow Gustavs, and an Avalanche MTN8. IYKYK.
  • 5 0
 @DirtCrab: also gazzaloddis and a cheetah azonic loveseat
  • 3 0
 @smartfartbart: There is one for sale in Singapore with a Shiver for around 7500 USD. You could go there for a trip, go back with a badass bike and still save a lot of money.
  • 1 0
 @mior: You are clearly a man of culture.
  • 2 0
 I love how they couldn't even wait to dry it off before posting pics! It makes you think they're anxious to sell...until you see what they're asking for it.
  • 1 0
 NYC version of feeeride, huck a 60lb bike 6’ to flat. It fizzled out fast but the bikes looked mean.
  • 16 1
 Pinkbike classifieds whole section is due a shake up.
So much stuff asking for 90% original RRP.
You are DREAMING
  • 4 1
 @nickfranko: dude, didn’t you hear about the Covid bike shortage? Used bikes are GOLD right now
  • 5 0
 I have no idea why my comment is a reply to @nickfranko. Sorry, @nickfranko.
  • 1 0
 Maybe the market is different in US to the UK right now, but there are plenty of people in the classifieds asking more for used bikes than you can buy new from a shop. Nukeproof and Santa Cruz especially
  • 1 0
 @VtVolk: Not sure if irony or not…however, it says your comment was made 13 hours ago, not 13 months ago - or somewhere else in the time window when not practically every manufacturer was frantically trying to sell brand new bikes at 50% off. I think used bikes not selling now will be unsellable by spring.
  • 13 0
 Or if you want a regular Enduro bike in the Okanagan for an absolute steal because I have to leave Canada in a few weeks :'(

www.pinkbike.com/buysell/3774392
  • 5 0
 Dang that is an absolute steal
  • 4 0
 That is steal. Ironically, I think I wouldn't even have picked it up in my buy sell searches with my price range filters and/or I probably would think this is sus and steer clear. Tough spot for the OP.

Edit, I just asked my wife if I could buy it and she said no. Guess I won't be rolling the dice.
  • 1 0
 @freestyIAM: Ahhh sadness!

Yeah that's a really good point about filtering - but the market is what it is when it's time-sensitive and for some reason everybody (myself included) would rather think about skiing at this time of year.
  • 9 0
 That's a freewheel, not a fixed sprocket. Where you would be looking at a lockring on a fixed sprocket, this has a cylindrical lip that's housing the pawl and ratchet mechanism of a freewheel.
  • 5 0
 Also it has rim brakes front and back, which to me is a giveaway.
  • 4 0
 @Lokirides: Some fixed gears have a brake or two; they're legally required for riding in public in some places. And I personally wouldn't be caught dead riding brakeless in the streets--because I might actually become dead by trying it.
  • 12 1
 This should make the list: www.pinkbike.com/buysell/3584527
  • 5 0
 That's beautiful, but price is a bit steep.
  • 5 0
 Hahaha. I’ll give you $550 Canadian, and I bet it’s the best offer you get this month.
  • 5 0
 The travel is longer than the wheelbase on that thing. Awesome!
  • 2 0
 Ah yes the version of that bike where it would the rear end would tear itself apart if you removed that little stop from the linkage.
  • 1 0
 @alexsin: forgot about that neat detail! i liked that bike; was my first SCB that didn't break.
  • 9 0
 just fyi, its Kent Eriksen, not Ken Erikson. The welds on those bikes (and now Bingham Built) are the best you'll ever see.
  • 2 4
 I can't believe the author of the article do not know about Kent Eriksen, nor is willing to do the 2 minute google search it needs to find out about the discrepancy between the name on the frame and the name in the sell Ad.
  • 10 1
 All the titles are simply the ads as they were written.
  • 2 0
 Yep, those welds are something else. Mom-in-law does house and estate cleanouts. Couple of years ago, she told me she has some bike parts for me to look at, to keep or throw away. I come around and she hands me a pair of Erikson ti seatposts. Sold one, kept the other and stuck it on the DH bike. I *still* check out the beautiful welds in it every time I pull the bike off the rack.
  • 5 0
 That Ibis Bow-Ti has a Stratos Air-Coil rear shock on it. Quite rare, made in Santa Barbara in the mid 90's, probably 96 or so? It was an air shock that utilized a progressively wound coil spring in addition to the standard air spring. Stratos had a line of coil and air rear shocks, and was working on a fork for a while.
  • 1 0
 Had one of those on my 90's Devinci. Actually worked really well!
  • 1 0
 I had a Stratos MX6 in around 1999. It was a pretty good fork actually. Then they sent me some prototype crowns they were working on. I installed them and eventually did a big drop to concrete and the crowns tore apart, the fork came off the bike and I landed on my face breaking my full face helmet. And that was that.
  • 2 0
 @alexsin: I feel like "...and I did a big drop to concrete and the crowns tore apart, the fork came off the bike and I landed on my face breaking my full face helmet" was part of a lot of late 90's bike conversations.
  • 7 0
 Guessing the author isn't familiar with the Maverick brand? I'm feeling old now.
  • 7 0
 That bike is a piece of Colorado history. Kent Eriksen + Paul Turner. You don’t get much more iconic than those two.
  • 3 0
 Having been away from new mountain bike technology between 2008-2018, I had not seen that fascinating linkage seat post before. That does look like an actual remote dropper post though was it also a suspension post? Parallelogram linkage suspension posts have been made though the links are smaller. That must have been quite disconcerting to ride, but given that the modern dropper is one of the all-time most significant inventions to come out of mountain biking specifically (I count suspension and disk brakes as adapted from motor vehicles), we must not laugh at it. It was perhaps a dead end, but one that had to be explored. Innovation is hard.
  • 4 0
 The Power Post is something I remember from my shop days in the mid '90s. Had a slightly forward climb position (early steep seat tube), a normal-ish riding position (shown) and a far back descending position.

Cool piece of kit but wouldn't work with most modern bikes: between longer travel and bigger wheels the tire could hit the saddle when descending. But for gravel it could be pretty rad, with a super stretched-out (and probably squirrely, with no weight on the front wheel) descending position.
  • 2 0
 This fixie will never be fixed biked with this motor. Becouse it's a chainese bafang motor it has itself a freewhell on the cranks becouse the chainese market companies also are giving, a small lever to this electrifical conversions that give you full power when you don't crank and makes your bike more like emoto. So te fixed gear on this conversion is only illusion
  • 3 0
 I’ve got a Raven MK2 on my wall, an SX4000 from 2000

“ but boy does the main frame look robust.” made me smile - those frames failed left, right & centre. Looked amazing tho!
  • 5 0
 A linkage seat post... Be still my beating heart
  • 4 0
 The front "triangle" of the CDale Raven is carbon, not aluminum.
  • 1 0
 Came here to say the same.
  • 1 0
 Yup. Wasn't it CF with thin aluminum structural skeleton plate where the two sides bonded together or something like that?
  • 1 0
 @big-red: That is right.
  • 2 1
 @chriss78: that thing is a death trap, known for delaminating and failing catastrophically. Hang it on a wall and call yourself lucky.
  • 5 0
 @big-red: Magnesium. The MK1 Raven had an Aluminum spine, the MK2 (above) had a magnesium one. Which is part of what caused all the related frame issues (the MK1’s were bombproof, the MK2’s subject to several recalls)
  • 2 0
 @Corinthian: Exactly, I had the MK1. Plus the MK1 was carbon and the MK2 wad thermoplastic as I remember it. The MK1 looked amazing and mine came with amazing top specs in the 4000 version. However nothing is perfect and the Fox Alps rear shock was not great with no negative spring but it was still faster on the down hill than my previous HT.
  • 4 0
 Great bit of writing about the fixie!!!
  • 2 0
 How much is the Ibis worth melted down on the titanium open market?

Between the lengthy stem and the bar-ends alone it may be worth a small-recycled metals fortune.
  • 2 0
 Titanium is only a few dollars per kilo. Much of the expense comes from how difficult it is to work with.
  • 1 0
 OMG these sellers are dreaming. $6500 Bow Tie? $1600 Raven? These bikes are not suitable to be ridden. Rich guys can run them at their vintage rides. Otherwise, these things were quasi death machines when new.
  • 4 0
 This one is pretty cool: www.pinkbike.com/buysell/3750646
  • 3 0
 yes to strange, no to sexy
  • 3 0
 Ibis went from that to the curvy top tube?
  • 4 1
 That ibis looks like a "this is your brain on drugs" commercial lol
  • 1 0
 That ibis is such a work of art. It deserves much better pictures, and a new owner that appreciates it and actually rides it. Bikes aren't meant to hang on a wall.
  • 7 0
 According to the comments above from people who've actually ridden that frame, it actually does its best work hanging on the wall.
  • 2 0
 @barp: LOL, nah, I ride a full rigid mtb from 1994, and I love how it rides, so even if this one just filters some of the sharpest knocks a little bit I'm sure I would like how it rides :-)
  • 1 0
 @WhateverBikes: Did you read the comments? This is supposed to be basically the least rigid thing on two wheels. Laterally flexy as hell.
  • 1 0
 The Cannondale Super V Raven frame looks to be ready for an internally routed dropper. Pretty forward thinking for 2001!
  • 1 0
 The fixie is terrifying and should've made the innovation of the year nominee list
  • 1 0
 @PtDiddy: feel like I'm going otb just looking at those old school rickety rigs.
  • 2 0
 @dariodigiulio 74,625 items you´ve checked, tell us what you get Big Grin
  • 1 0
 Hmm. Tilt seatpost? What if it tilted out of the way towards the front of the bike?

Where’s my welding torch…
  • 1 0
 Ah, I just now looked at all the pictures, and it actually does… however, that looks more dangerous than a fully compressed Liteville…
  • 1 0
 Been through 3 chainstays on my old SB66. Yeti even replaced it out of warranty for me. Flawed product
  • 2 0
 someone send that Nicolai to Jordan boostmaster
  • 3 0
 @boostmaster we've got a job for you!
  • 5 1
 I would love it! I just don't have the money to pay for that though
  • 2 0
 There are definitely a freewheel and brakes on that brakeless fixie
  • 2 0
 Yeah, my pet peeve is people calling single speed bikes "fixies". If you can coast, it ain't a fixie. Good thing it has brakes though. Not gonna stop very fast coasting, unless you use the stick in the front spokes technique.
  • 1 1
 That fixie is insane if it is a fixie! I'm pissing myself thinking of a hipster riding it in London into a bus! Sorry but what can you do but laugh
  • 1 0
 Great finds, these are awesome.
  • 1 0
 What's the frame in the thumbnail?
  • 2 0
 It's the Nucleon
  • 2 3
 Henry’s story about losing a friend, right into the story of overpriced stickers of a bmx pro who suicided
Does the PinkBike staff need a mental health checkup today?
  • 2 1
 There are more kooks in 2024 than ever before....
  • 1 0
 Ugh! That Cannondale. It’s how I feel about those Unno’s
  • 1 0
 how much for the heavy bag?
  • 1 0
 That ebike fixie makes my knees hurt just looking at it.
  • 1 0
 It's ss, still a dumb idea.
  • 1 0
 How many fish-eye lenses did it take to create that Eriksen photo?
  • 1 0
 "Aired tires to 40 PSI" - 1999 Ibis Bow-Ti
  • 3 2
 Gosh, Ibis has been making ugly bikes for decades now.
  • 1 0
 That Eriksen makes me worry about people...
  • 1 0
 "andiezed"
  • 4 0
 Analdyed
  • 1 0
 LOVESEAT wins every time
  • 2 2
 Eriksen. Seat Tube. No.
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