At Seattle Bike Swap: Gear, Good Deals and Childhood Memories - on Two Wheels, of Course

Hundreds of bicycle enthusiasts from the Seattle region descended on the Seattle Center Sunday to search for nearly almost all things relating to two wheels - and especially at great deals.

The Cascade Bicycle Club held its annual Seattle Bike Swap, which attracted vendors who brought everything from a Swiss Army bike with an attached cot to old-school Schwinns.

Seattle-area bike gear lovers had found a second home. There were assorted cranksets, boxes of hubs, guitar-shaped pedals, checkered rims, triathalon-style bicycles and folding commuter bikes. 

People walked the aisles. Some sorted through boxes of gear. Vendors sat in chairs and talked with visitors about parts for sale - or just riding the road. Of course, people were pumping tires. 

Visitors inspected beach cruisers and single-speed track bikes. There were brand names that brought back memories of the past: Eddy Mercx, Klein, Reynolds 531, Columbus and Campagnolo.

One vendor talked about having so much bike gear that he had to show up at the Seattle Bike Swap to sell so he could have room in his apartment. Another vendor had what apparently was a bike from 1899 - and was asking $4,000 for it.

Usually, some of the most popular letters on hand-written signs were OBO: Or Best Offer. 

Shoreline resident Greg Johnson, who runs Chauncey's Used Bikes, explained - partially in jest - how his garage is larger than his house. "This is a drug habit," he joked, as he stood in front of numerous two wheelers. "If you see my yard, you would understand."

At his house, he said, he has 300 bikes.

Editor's note: You can follow more pedaling news in Patch bicycling columnist Bill Thorness' weekly column, . Seattle-area bicyclists, also take note that the Chilly Hilly ride, which helps kick off the spring season, will take place on Sunday, Feb. 27.