Vintage bike in auction - how much should I bid ??
 

The below bike looks nice - it's a 16 gear Holdsworth - anyway please take a look at the photos see what you think ... if it's good enough quality what is it worth ?

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cdgeorge

The build is meh, but a Hokdsworth is a great addition to any collection.

No tubing sticker is interesting but TT cable guides and I think Campy DO's should indicate 531 or the like.

I'm terrible at pricing but I would like to get it for $200, that's probably way lowball so maybe $400, very much just spitballin here. ;)

I always approach these things based on what I would pay for an item. Bid as much as you are comfortable paying. That way if you are outbid, well, you didn't want to pay more anyway.

Even if an item is worth, say, $300 on average, if I want it that much I might throw $325, $350, or more down. Sometimes not.

Same here, if I want it, I'm screwed. :roflmao2:

Which is often the case. ;)

I'm tending to do better at saying to myself...what can I bid that I won't feel taken advantage of, but that if I lose, I won't agonize over.

Doing better one the first than the second …especially when someone bid $107.50 for a 1973 Raleigh Professional after I bid $106.75...


As for the Holdsworth, I would feel very comfortable bidding $150, but due to uncertainty about tubeset, largely the allure would be potential and the wheels/seatpost. The derailleurs/crank and brakes are functional but meh.

Interesting that you think the build is 'meh' from this collectable brand.

I can't find that exact Holdsworth bike on the net - anyone guess the year and model so I can research this particular one a little more?

Meanwhile here is another at the same auction - perhaps someone can evaluate the build quality of the following in comparison ... a far rarer and lesser known bike - Which has the better build quality ??

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No comparison in my book. FWH wins.

Ooh! I really like the Hi-Gear Light Wave "Pure Riding Experience" with the steel rims, steel bars, steel seatpost, Chinese crank, plastic pedals, and stamped drops. If you can get it for $100, do it!

I mean, as long as they're paying you the $100 to haul it away. Hopefully there's a dumpster nearby. :thumb:

hey the Huret Eco is a pretty nice cheap derailleur

You forgot the cool claw rear derailleur lol

Thread moved from C&V to C&V Appraisals.

[QUOTE=cdgeorge;21709696]Interesting that you think the build is 'meh' from this collectable brand.

I can't find that exact Holdsworth bike on the net - anyone guess the year and model so I can research this particular one a little more?

Meanwhile here is another at the same auction - perhaps someone can evaluate the build quality of the following in comparison ... a far rarer and lesser known bike - Which has the better build quality ??
[QUOTE]
When we refer to “build”, that’s the component set on the frame, which has nothing to do with the Holdsworth brand name, known for very nice frames.

FWIW, that Holdsworth looks like a lower end version, judging from lack of tubing decal, lugs, seatpost clamp, etc. but a nicely done example.

Your other one is below “meh” all the way around, except maybe that rear derailleur.

I'm going to guess you're kind of new to bike stuff? There used to be a great site that gave great tips and tricks into evaluating bikes in a really easy way to understand... but it kinda went under and I really haven't seen anything to take its place.

By "build" of the Holdsworth- people mean the components (shifters, crank derailleurs, wheels etc...) that the bike is built with. None of the components hung on that bike are really spectacular- they may be "fine" and work quite well- but, nothing flashy, fancy or distinguishable (as a lot of Holdsworths would be built with). In other words, it looks to be a higher end frame with lower end parts.

The frame is the one part you can't change out- so the tubing and the construction of the frame really defines the quality of the bike. Generally, if you spend good money on a good frame, you want to outfit it with good parts.

That other bike is a very low end bike slapped together with (mostly) low end parts.

As far as bidding on these bikes...

I wouldn't bid at all on the Pure Riding Experience bike.

I'd defer to others on the value of the Holdsworth frame- unless you get it for next to nothing, I'd skip.

Personally, I'd look for a bike that has a lot less red flags associated with it- unfortunately, all you can do is read and try your hand when something comes up that you think is cool.

As far as how much... A long time ago, I bought a component for $119- which was a lot of money to me at the time. I really wanted it, and it worked out really great for me. From then on, if there was a component I wanted- and I REALLY wanted it- $119 was my ceiling- and I'd put that as my max bid. Sometimes I won, sometimes I lost. But that figure was a personal 'point' that I used as the cutoff. I would say make sure you know what you're bidding on and why you want it- if you have something that you think you would value 'as much as,' use that as your measuring stick.

The Holdsworth looks like a circa 1980, lower mid-range, repainted Raleigh, complete with questionable workmanship that includes gaps in the lugs. The frame looks more "meh' than the components.

You mean the later Competition G.S. models? The lugs are the same, but they didn't have spoon-type seatstay caps.

-Kurt

[QUOTE=Dfrost;21709952][QUOTE=cdgeorge;21709696]Interesting that you think the build is 'meh' from this collectable brand.

I can't find that exact Holdsworth bike on the net - anyone guess the year and model so I can research this particular one a little more?

Meanwhile here is another at the same auction - perhaps someone can evaluate the build quality of the following in comparison ... a far rarer and lesser known bike - Which has the better build quality ??
I am hesitant to declare that a Holdsworth... does not match my memory of them.
Seat stay top eyes, lugs, I could go on.

I’m with T-Mar, cudak888 & repechage. Having owned a couple of Holdsworths and worked on others, this frame is not the usual quality that they have. Looks like someone did a repaint on a mid level frame and put Holdsworth decals on it.☹️

Regards,

Van

If you are interested in a Holdsworth hold out for a Professional. They are great bikes. I own a '72.

That could be true - anyway I didn't bother bidding on these bikes in the end - thanks goodness (especially if it's a repaint!).

Tip appreciated thanks - over here in the UK those old bikes are well over £1000. You get what you pay for I guess.

For a vintage noobie like myself, can someone explain to me "lug gaps"? I'm not sure from those photos what is being referenced.

Thanks!

Here is what I got for almost nothing. Picture is from seller's ad. And the finished product.
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...7ef81fb321.jpg
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...0bae70af0a.jpg

Just so you all know - I didn't bother bidding on any of those bikes - based on your very informative assessments thank you

Wow, that Holdsworth is gorgeous! Love the high flange hubs, Nuvo Tipo?

I would guess that even getting it for "next to nothing," it still cost over $1000. Am I right? Worth it though.

Tell us about the painting.