Where does all the stuff go?

[purpletezza]

When a Pro Team finishes up/disbands what happens to all the bikes, cars, parts, wheels, clothing, buses, equipment etc? Do they get sold off? E-bay? Returned to sponsors? Kept by riders and team?

 

[laziali]

When a Pro Team finishes up/disbands what happens to all the bikes, cars, parts, wheels, clothing, buses, equipment etc? Do they get sold off? E-bay? Returned to sponsors? Kept by riders and team?

Sold off. Good bargains to be had on last season's gear over the next two month for those in the know

 

[Granville57]

Yup. Stuff gets sold off.

I remember when Gerolsteiner folded, they had a massive blow-out sale of everything that was left—everything. I remember seeing pics of rows of parts and frames for sale (still looking for those pics).

2008

Team Gerolsteiner is holding a "going out of business" sale. The team is opening its doors on October 25, giving fans "an ideal opportunity to obtain a final, unusual souvenir."

Everything will be sold – "whether bikes, frames, clothing, components, radios, massage tables or muesli bars."
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/gerolsteiner-fire-sale

A large crowd stormed the Team Gerolsteiner warehouse in Herrenberg, Germany, in search of bargains and souvenirs on Saturday, when the team held a sale of all its remaining assets. Everything from bikes to energy bars were on offer, and while the crowd was enthusiastic, reactions from team riders, staff and management were less festive.

Soigneurs and mechanics helped the crowd to make their selections of components, clothing or even one of the 120 bikes.
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/gerolsteiner-rummage-sale-draws-crowds&message=Gerolsteiner%20rummage%20sale%20draws%20crowds

 

[Benotti69]

Contact the team whose gear you are interested in.

I imagine those teams who have changed frame and components this year would be the best ones to get a bargain from including teams folding, Geox might be worth visiting.

 

[ElChingon]

Depends on the team and its inner workings. On some teams the Mechanics get some bikes and sell them off or use them, which ever they want. I once got to peek in on a Pro team mechanics garage, it was a semi museum of bikes, wheels and parts from the teams where he had worked. Needless to say his bike was very nicely setup, well bikes! Some were even for sale, for the right price