Chicago2

Hi,

It's already September. By October, in Chicago, we're already thinking about snow.

I've got a vintage (late 1950's??) folding bicycle I'm thinking about selling. The repair tech at my local bike shop said that I should wait until spring if I want to sell it. The thing is, he's not into vintage bicycles and I don't know what he knows about selling a vintage bike.

Should I wait until spring? Would I be better off?

Does it make a difference if I'd ship it?

Thank you.

bikemig 

Spring tends to be better in the midwest for selling bikes but it's not winter yet so I'd give it a try. Also I'd try both craiglist and facebook marketplace. I wouldn't offer to ship it. You are asking for a potential headache. There is a lot to be said for an as is cash sale.

randyjawa 

Lower end or less collectible vintage bicycles are impacted by time of year. The exotic or high end stuff is not so impacted, these days. At least, that is what I believe I see, these days. In the future, I see more of the same. Glad I got my Grails early!

Pompiere

You might catch a snow bird looking for a folding bike to stow in his RV before heading south for the winter. Otherwise, spring is a better bet.

thinktubes 

Unless you plan on getting more than $50, it's probably not worth the effort. Donate and be done.

Chombi1 

Yup, people are not in a hurry to buy bikes when the weather is getting cold and/or wet.
You still might have a chance to sell a bike at a good price though, if you are selling something very rare and special, as collectors will always be on the lookout for those, anytime, any season. And will compete with other collectors to buy it.

ryansu

In Seattle its when the sun is out - May to the end of September that seem the best for selling a bike.

Murray Missile 

I'm on the other side of the state from you and I've sold 3 vintage bikes in the last 2 weeks and I do local sales only, but then ,y bikes were mostly low to mid range, not anything most people couldn't find where they live. I always seem to do a little better this time of year than in the Spring, you'd think it would be the other way around. I'd give it a shot, if it won't bring what you want mothball it until next Spring and try again.

ramzilla

Vintage bike sales are in the doldrums here in North Florida. I really don't think the season or time of year matters much. (People buy bikes for Christmas gifts too). Clean it up until it shines. Take pictures and put it on Craigslist. Good luck.

ncrnelson

I picked up a Schwinn Tempo that's too small for me that I intend to flip. I've decided to wait until next summer to attempt to sell it. I've seen too many decent bikes languishing on Craigslist and Facebook in the $150 and under range to bother trying. At least that's my experience in Minnesota.

RiddleOfSteel

Since Seattle rarely gets planet Hoth-like winters, selling in the fall and winter still happens, just more slowly as is logical. Tall bikes (63cm+) that are nice escape that to an extent because there aren't very many around at all and if one is set up well, it's going to sell. Still, Spring into Summer is best, though our summer took forever to really start, and then ended up being delightfully mild. I sold new/modern bikes, and the vintage stuff sat or went a lot slower. So it goes.

T-Mar

I find that September is the 2nd best time of year to sell bicycles, provided it's inexpensive and there's there's a college or university in your area. Students returning to school are always looking for affordable bicycles as cheap transportation.

randyjawa 

Absolutely and we (Bicycles for Humanity) can sell off close to a hundred (sometimes) in less than four hours...

Chicago2

Thank you, bikemig, for the advice. I think I may wait until spring!

Chicago2

Hi Murray Missile,

Thanks for the info. Interesting that you have success in the fall. That does sound counter-intuitive. What do you qualify as "low to mid range"?

Murray Missile 

Later 70's to mid 80's Schwinns like Worlds, etc. Travelers, an occasional TREK 800 - 830 MTB in the $75 to $150 range, stuff like that and occasionally something nicer up to about $400. I used to avoid the Schwinns like the plague but they seem to have a bit of cult status now with apartment dwelling 20 somethings living downtown near the bike paths. I sold a couple I wasn't sure I could give away and had them lined up waiting to buy them! I don't go looking for them but if they come my way and are cheap enough I don't turn them down any more.

This one was headed to the curb but halfway there I decided to clean it up and see what it would bring, I don't have any before shots but you couldn't even tell what color it was so covered with dirt and grunge. Sold it in the Fall for $100, I had 2 people waiting by their phones while another was looking at it, he bought it. A young semi-pro hockey player. I saw it for sale about a year later with 2 flat tires and almost as dirty as when I had it. Kind of a shame, hopefully somebody bought it from him and gave it a better home.



Sold both these in the late Summer / early Fall as well to 20 somethings that worked in downtown offices and had apartments in the same area near the bike path, again $100 each. That's the original bar tape on the Ladies Le Tour III.

randyjawa 

As the leaves change from green to yellow, red, orange and gold, bikes go for less and less. Though I could not really afford to do so, this little used Pinarello came home with me this morning. The price was so good, I could not pass it up. What the heck am I going to do with another bicycle..?

Brachadillo

When I see a bike I want or have been looking for I don't care what time of year it is.