ramzilla

My vintage market is good as long as the bikes are priced between $185 to $285. Nobody contacts me for any of the bikes priced over $300.

cudak888 

Bicycles are selling as transportation, recreational, and fitness machines. Some C&V machines may fit the bill for their needs, but the C&V element is not driving that interest.

In other words, people aren't necessarily paying a premium for C&V because it's C&V; they're buying it because it's available and will suit their purposes.

I doubt the surge has done anything to make $1k Bianchis, Olmos, or comparative Italian lugged steel any more desirable.

-Kurt

Last ride 76 

"I resemble that remark" -
- Curly

nesteel 

New bike sales are nuts. The number of $400-$500 bikes we're selling is way past where we were at this time last year (think stimulus check money). We're also booked two weeks out on service.
And you still can't sell a decent quality C&V bike in this city unless it's priced half of what it would be in the for sale forum here.

beicster 

I guess we will either see a long term interest in bikes or we will see a lot of decent bikes for sale in a year. Either way can be a win.

RichSPK

Barely, but I'm better at buying 'em than selling 'em!

SurferRosa

When you overhaul a bike, take a pic of the bare frame to include in your craigs ad. Put it on a nice table or in the stand with a clean background. And take some pics of the components and new consumables before you mount 'em if you can. It will greatly speed up a sale of your "fully rebuilt" bike and allow you to demand more of what you deserve for your work.

I'm getting some good hits on my stuff. They may not last a week after first listing. And I'm not giving it away: $300+ on mid-level bikes in very unoriginal condition.

If this keeps up, I may list my "worst" keeper. I always keep their bare-frame pics too.

jdawginsc 

I have noticed an uptick in CL/FB ads, and a few items that increased in price. Then there is the $20 bike market that is still surging...with no wheels, tubes rusted or snapped.

I agree, the bikes are being snapped up in the $100-250 range, I think.

ramzilla

I wish I could find somebody to buy this beast.


SHOGUN 2000, like new, upright bar city bike, Schwalbe Marathon tires.

J.Higgins 

This is sound thinking, Rosa, and I'm going to employ this in my next CL ad. Thanks!

Regardless, we just need to remember that there is ebb and flow to hobbies and interests, and this perceived slump will pass. I equate our beloved C&V to the classic car hobby. Not everyone likes classic cars, or want to own/drive them, but those who do are absolutely ravenous. How much money will you spend and how many miles are you willing to drive to get what you want? Don't worry, folks. It'll come back in time. Bicycle history is rich. Its up to us to preserve it and promote classic bikes.

Mr. 66

That has trouble being sold? People are in a clamor for bikes like that around my woods. I'm not in the market but how much are you trying to get for it?

ramzilla

The problem with this one is I paid too much for it to begin with. Then, I completely refurbished & upgraded it to a City bike. So, It's advertised at $345.00. And, even at that price I'm barely breaking even. Only got one response so far and, it was very negative.

BEFORE & AFTER ....................

wrk101

The time to make $$ on that Shogun was when you bought it. I have faced similar challenges. Put 4 to 6 hours into a bike, plus $50 to $100 in consumables, and at best I might break even (value the 4 to 6 hours of time at ZERO). Or I can part it out, as received, takes less than 1 hour to dismantle, Deerhead derailleurs, triple crankset have value. If the selling price of the project is higher than the value of those parts, I pass.

There is no freakin' way I could even get a nibble on that Shogun finished at $200. I see a Cannondale touring model on C/L right now for $150. Cannondale brand is going to get a lot more response than Shogun. Yet the Cannondale has not sold either.

I had the same model Shogun. As luck would have it, someone had put Simplex retrofriction DT shifters on it. That plus the triple crankset and the Deerhead derailleurs made it a score. The rest of the bike: wheels, frameset, brakes, seat post, saddle, pedals, HS, etc., went to the co-op to live another day. I got about $200 in parts revenue on a bike I bought for $25, so I was good.

SurferRosa

Yep, both bikes didn't last a week. Sold both today. One guy handed me $20 more than I asked for this one, but I gave the jackson back to him.


​​​​​​
Had a bunch of emails for this very unoriginal Trek. Guess it's the right size (53cm). Sold it to the second email sender I got, and she showed up today wearing a Joy Division tee, so I know it's going to a good home.



Now I feel really good about finding another mid-level project.

Mr. 66

Thats a fair price, I would hold fast to it.

Here's one that sold yesterday, the buyer over paid $20, I counted the cash and returned the over pay and then gave him a price discount way after we confirmed the price 😀.




Nerf bars rock!

ramzilla

I had the same model Shogun. As luck would have it, someone had put Simplex retrofriction DT shifters on it. That plus the triple crankset and the Deerhead derailleurs made it a score. The rest of the bike: wheels, frameset, brakes, seat post, saddle, pedals, HS, etc., went to the co-op to live another day. I got about $200 in parts revenue on a bike I bought for $25, so I was good.[/QUOTE]

You're right. This one has some interesting bits. The wheels have sealed roller bearings & extra spokes. It's built like a freakin tank w/Tange 2 frame & everything. I was thinking about putting fenders on it. But, no way they would fit with those big Schwalbe tires on it now. I might either put it back the way it was or, cannibalize it for parts.

SurferRosa

​​​​​Want the emails of the new owners so you can tell them about your health issues related to these two bikes?

Piff 

Just make sure it doesn't turn into a stress riser

SurferRosa

Yeah, if you're into soft rock. <rimshot>

SurferRosa

Time to remove that craigs ad.

Or is this how you meet single, tall women? In that case, you keep doin' you.

ramzilla

This 1988 Fuji sold fast for $185. All I did was put a new set of tires on it. (I usually completely refurbish bikes). (This was a flip).

oddjob2

Market plus factors:

• Stimulus cash - had a 27 y.o. living at home, spend part of his $1200 on a Haro I sold for danbianchi881.
• Bike shops have been closed - THAT WOMAN FROM MICHIGAN closes LBS, Garden Centers, Marinas, and landscaping businessesfor 3+ weeks. LBS ban just lifted this past weekend. Construction still closed .
• Spring Market - if temperatures would hold up over 50, could sell more.
• Few other sellers marketing ready-to-ride bikes.
• No gyms or fitness studios are open.

Ninety percent of the CL market is overpriced or poorly marketed. FB sales prospects around here are generally bottom feeders or fail to show pup.

I have managed to sell 6 bikes since beginning of the month. Can't keep unsprung MTBs in stock.

TheLizard

True. I see a few good deals pop up but they get sold really fast.

The Bicycle Guys have probably the smallest stock of bikes I've ever seen on their website, and they're now offering deals for people selling their old bikes.

TheLizard

Any ride-ready Cannondale for $150 would not last a day on CL around here. Used bikes are in high demand, especially the sub-$400 bikes.

mrMike88

I've noticed this too - I check CL, OfferUp, and Facebook Marketplace for used bikes just to see what's available, and lately (last 3 weeks) noticing that there are about 1/5 of the used bikes for sale in this area (around Dallas). It's good news for all the people that now have a bike and it sure looks like to me that they're riding them - I see lots of activity, including lots of families riding together on the bike trails and streets.