Swap Happy

I searched for years, scouring police auctions and websites, for the bike I coveted as a kid: a Bridgestone RB-1 road bike. I found the elusive frame within twenty minutes at my first Denver VeloSwap & Sports Expo. Another hour at the National Western Complex, 4655 Humboldt Street, netted me the remainder of the parts I needed to make her roll, and I was still able to make rent that month.

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“We’ve got really good interest this year, which is surprising for this economy,” says VeloSwap manager Reese Brown. But in its twentieth year, VeloSwap — the largest consumer expo for all things bike-related — has become more than just the single best place on the planet to find an almost paralyzing array of deals on frames, parts and accessories.

Sure, says Brown, “you’ve got your absolute diehards looking for something very specific, but you also have average enthusiasts looking to spend a limited amount of money. Some come just for the entertainment.”

In addition to the usual buy-trade-and-sell frenzy that packs the huge hall with folks who line up at dawn for first crack at the goods, this year’s swap will be pumped full of seminars, and the Yellow Designs BMX stunt team is slated for demos. But you don’t have to camp out, be an Olympic hopeful or ride a fixed-gear suicide machine to enjoy the swap. Just show up today at 8:45 a.m. and bring an interest in bikes. The swap takes place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; tickets are $6 in advance at www.veloswap.com or $8 at the door. Call 303-245-2180 for info.
Sat., Oct. 25, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., 2008