Big thanks to Mitch and his family, Accent Mobile Music and everyone who participated. Another great swap and fun time!

From Mitch the swap organizer…

45 total vendors. This was the biggest year yet. I truly appreciate everyone that participated, not just the Swap but also the pre-swap garage ride. Thanks to Bill with Accent Mobile Music for providing the PA and the tunes all day, and Thanks to Zach and Caryn for handling the Grilling duties, and thanks to everyone that helped me load up at the end of the day. Please keep tabs on the Swapmeet Facebook page for details on next year’s swap. Thanks again for a great Swapmeet and hope to see everyone again next year!

More photos here.

A beautiful evening and a big turn out for the 2nd annual Pre-Swap Garage Ride Saturday night. 41 riders rode around the town of Haysville stopping off at 3 of the locals garages to look and talk bikes, eat and drink refreshments. Thanks to those who opened their garages to us and to their wives for the great snacks.

What: 2nd annual Pre Swap Garage Ride
When: Saturday 04-21-2012 (The evening before the Midwest Bicycle Swap) 7:30pm
Where: 950 W Grand, Haysville, KS (parking lot between schools)

We’ll ride the Haysville bike paths stopping off at a few local bike people’s garages.

It’ll be dark so lights are strongly encouraged.

New this year is the Genesis Onyx 29’r Cruiser raffle bike!!! One free entry with each paid booth space. Extra tickets will be available for sale. Details on the swap at MidwestBicycleSwap.com.

Help spread the word. Printable PDF poster here.

Details on the Midwest Bicycle Swap here.

Check out Erick’s pictures from the Midwest bicycle Swap here.

The first ever Midwest Bicycle Swap was held today at the Hometown market in Haysville. A large turnout of both buyers and sellers. The swap area filled up early and bikes and parts continued to show up through out the day. Lots of stuff traded hands. Things wound down around 1:30pm at about the same time the wind became unbearable.
Thanks to Grillmaster Mitch for putting this on, Accent Mobile Music for providing the sound and The Central States Metal Artisans for opening the Blacksmith Shop.

From our host Grillmaster Mitch…

I just wanted to give a BIG THANK YOU to ALL who participated and made this event a success!! The turnout validated to me that the Wichita area was in “need” of a bicycle swap meet. We will be back next year and with your participation, even bigger and better!

My photos here.
Erick’s photos here.

See ya next year!

Here are a few tips for the upcoming Midwest Bicycle Swap

Swap Meet Tips for Buyers

1. Get to the swap meet early. This is especially true if you are seeking a particular item
2. Bring cash and plenty of small bills
3. Bring a friend. Four eyes are better than two. If you are seeking something in particular then split up
4. Don?t be afraid to negotiate. Ask how much the item is and then do your own appraisal, if you think it is worth less, then offer less and see where it goes.
5. When the swap meet is winding down and some sellers will start packing up their unsold stuff. This is a prime time to get deals on items that did not sell during the day. (rather than hauling it all the way home)

Swap Meet Tips for Sellers

1. Get to the swap meet early so you can snag a prime selling spot!
2. Bring cash and plenty of small bills
3. Display your items on Tables or at least Tarps, Organize parts by category, i.e. frames, forks, wheels, etc.
4. Price your items, but be open to negotiations
5. Offer plastic bags to buyers of small parts, its hard to tote around six different pairs of pedals, along with fourteen assorted grips, one super cool skiptooth chainring, and three balloon fenders

Tips For Everyone

1. Put on sunscreen
2. Bring water
3. Anything else to keep you comfortable especially if you’re planning on “making a day of it”