Imagine stumbling upon a treasure trove of cycling history, a collection so vast and rare it could make any bike enthusiast's heart skip a beat. That's exactly what happened when Euro-Asia Imports closed its doors last summer. But here's where it gets even more fascinating: a single buyer snapped up what might be the largest collection of vintage road and track gear ever sold. Who was this buyer, and what did they uncover? Let’s dive in.
On a sunny mid-August day, Vince Hanoski, the third-generation owner of Milwaukee’s iconic Ben’s Cycle, stepped into a nondescript warehouse in La Crescenta, California. He was there to collect a massive haul of bike parts he’d purchased, largely sight unseen, from the closing Euro-Asia Imports (EAI). But this wasn’t your average liquidation sale. EAI was no ordinary distributor—it was a legend in the cycling world, renowned for its exotic and vintage parts amassed over decades.
Hanoski was no stranger to buying in bulk, having previously scored a quarter-million-dollar deal on Brooks saddles. But this time, the scale was unprecedented. The EAI warehouse, though organized, was bursting at the seams with stacks of components, frames, and accessories. It was one of three locations Hanoski and his team of four had to pack up and ship back to Milwaukee—and fast, as a trucking company was already en route.
EAI’s inventory spanned the spectrum, from highly coveted vintage gems like Campagnolo Nuovo Record to items that were simply… old. But what made EAI truly special was its role in the 2000s fixed-gear boom, blending bike messenger culture with Japanese Keirin equipment. This meant exotic track framesets, MKS pedals, and a treasure trove of touring gear. And let’s not forget the rims—from classic Ambrosio hoops to vibrant deep-section models for the fixie enthusiasts.
And this is the part most people miss: among the chaos of packing, an early discovery hinted at the haul’s true value. Campagnolo’s infamous C-Record Delta brakes, with their distinctive triangular design, were unearthed. While these brakes were once panned by Bicycling magazine as the worst ever made, their unique shape is now a collector’s dream. New old stock (NOS) sets in original packaging? They fetch over $1,000 apiece. It was a clear sign: EAI’s inventory lived up to its legendary status.
In the world of wholesale distributors, EAI may not have been the largest, but it certainly had the most mystique. Alex Zacher, general manager of Ben’s Cycle, recalled flipping through EAI’s catalogs during slow days at the shop. “They just had stuff no one else did,” he said. Kyle Kelley, co-owner of Allez LA, echoed this sentiment, noting how EAI’s legacy grew during the track bike boom. “Kids fell in love with cycling and later discovered EAI’s hidden gems, like Cinelli Unicantor saddles and full Campy tool sets,” he explained.
But here’s where it gets controversial: Was EAI’s closure the end of an era, or the start of a new chapter for these vintage treasures? As Hanoski and his team continue to unpack and catalog the haul, one thing is certain: this collection will keep cycling’s heritage alive for years to come. What do you think? Is the allure of vintage gear a passing trend, or a timeless passion? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
