The Baillet Bike Jumble in France is back

Considered the most important bike exchange in France, the Baillet en France Bike Exchange made its return on Sunday, November 21. Expectations were high this year after the cancellation in 2020 due to the health crisis.

By Olivier Dulaurent – Photos: www.3bikes.fr

In a context of partial shortages and extended delays affecting even professional teams themselves, it was interesting to see how this event, which annually welcomes around 4000 people to the town’s gymnasium, entirely dedicated to cycling for the occasion, would fare.

Bikes of all prices, complete groupsets from decades ago, new and used items, accessories, bike shops and individuals looking to offload cumbersome stock, booksellers, 9-speed handlebar shifters for €5… it’s possible to find everything at this bike exchange.

To organize it all, Christophe Gavel oversees a team of 50 to 60 volunteers who provide impeccable service all day long on site, well before sunrise. Thus, whether it’s before the public opening, while exhibitors set up with a perfectly oiled method, at the catering services, or at the reception of the hall reserved for the sale of 400 complete bikes, there isn’t the slightest false note.

Christophe Gavel nevertheless specified that “this year, we were heading into the unknown between the cancellation of 2020 due to the pandemic and the introduction of the health pass, as it was obvious that all exhibitors and spectators had to have the precious sesame.”

According to the organization, these constraints impacted both the number of exhibitors (the “traditional” Belgian exhibitors did not make the trip) and spectators who were not allowed to enter.

However, at 10 am, one hour after the doors opened to the general public, Christophe Gavel was partially relieved and announced around 600 entries, a decrease of about 20% compared to 2019.

The general feeling was that the aisles were noticeably emptier, which was accentuated by their greater width, a direct consequence of the decrease in the number of exhibitors.

As usual, the Vélo News store in Méry sur Oise had the largest stand. By digging around, it was possible to find excellent deals, like this new Assos jacket in a standard size, for €50 instead of €250!

On the other side, the Isariens from La Bicyclette in Senlis and Compiègne had brought almost their entire team, including former professional Sébastien Minard. Deals were possible, especially on complete bikes, shoes, and tires, sold at flea market prices. Once again, this bike shop owner was satisfied with the operation, which allows them to sell products that would have otherwise remained unsold. “Every year, it frees up a lot of space in the store,” specified the other Sébastien, Loigerot.

For private exhibitors, the opportunity is often twofold: selling on one hand and finding good deals on the other. For example, at his stand, Frédéric Meerpoel, who came from the Lille region, was able to get rid of a few pairs of shoes that had become too small or too old, whether for himself or his small family, knowing that all 5 members of the crew ride or have ridden bikes. And the money thus recovered can be used to invest a few stands further, as in this case with the purchase of a Time brand time trial bike, sold by the professional Auber93 team at an attractive price.

A little further on, a professional seller offered his stock of unsold items. From socks to helmets, there was enough to put together a complete kit for a very reasonable price.

And the Baillet en France Exchange wouldn’t be what it has become without the true flea market spirit, which allows you to find, for example, bikes from the 70s, cassettes with 5 cogs, and books or magazines celebrating old champions.