Brad L 

Does anyone have an idea what this 80s DiamondBack Apex may be worth? It appears to be mostly original, even down to its Biopace/Deerhead drivetrain.

fleslider 

FWIW its a 1986 Model

katsup

In my market, with the current demand for ride able bikes, I'd expect $200. This is assuming it is ready to go with no issues.

The chain stay rear brake hurts it, but the color helps.

madpogue 

The rear U-brake is only an issue if you plan to take it into some serious mud. Otherwise, it's more powerful than the cantis of the day.

Deer Head mechs and old thumbies are always at a premium. As suggested above, bikes with parts like that are often "worth more dead than alive", that is, they fetch more money in total when parted out. Around here, I might pay $100-ish for it, but this market has always been dead for old MTBs, a buyer's market.

Just watch out for the giant fingertip; that'll stop the bike dead in its tracks.

Brad L 

Giant fingertip?

madpogue 

Last photo, left side of frame. One of those things that you'd only expect to see with film.

katsup

I'm not saying that the rear U-brake will not stop the bike, only that it is less desirable, so it affects value.

I don't have the heart to part out a clean bike like this, but I know many do.

2cam16

I'd think the threadless conversion is what hurts it as a whole bike.

Brad L 

It appears to be original to the bike.

https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...ld-thread.html
1985 DiamondBack Apex | Retrobike

madpogue 

Interesting. One of those links also refers to the rear brake as a roller-cam, not a u-brake, so I stand corrected on that point. Even better; again, no great shakes in the mud, but even more powerful than a u-brake, and actually MORE desirable. Makes you why they didn't put one on the front.

plonz 

Looks like a nice early mountain bike that gets you $150-$200. I don’t think the brake or the stem matter to the buyer of this bike. Likely being sold to someone wanting an errand runner or campus bike, not a mountain biker or C&V enthusiast.

2cam16

Wow, I wouldn't have thought for that era. Good to know. Thanks!

bargo68 

I had one of these that I made into a townie/Rivenripoff and sold it on SF CL for 350.00 The Cunningham rollercam was original to the bike. I think in brisker markets it is worth 250-350. Some people are trying to get stupid money for these on th'bay though.


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madpogue 

"Ripoff"? Weren't people doing this ^^^^^ with their old MTBs long before Rivendell existed? Which one is the "ripoff"?

bargo68 

That would be me ripping off Rivendell.
Oh, and the 'show us your vintage mountain bikes' and 'show us your upright conversions' threads...thanks BF!!!

madpogue 

But you didn't rip of Rivendell; the idea wasn't theirs to rip off.

bargo68 

I'm sure you are correct. It's because I'm a relative newb to this aspect of bike culture and because I first really saw bikes like this sold new by Rivendell that I claim I ripped them off.

Brad L 

The seller's asking price is $350 for this one. I don't see it (and thanks for verifying), but it wouldn't be for me. My neighbor wants something for their high school daughter and possible campus cruising for college. They're looking at new Schwinns and Nishikis that are in the $300-350 range, but as we all know, those are merely BSOs. I showed them this option as a possibility. Though the price is high (seller's market right now) it's 100x better than the crap they're looking at.

bargo68 

I've always though the Specialized Rockhopper is the perfect bike for a campus cruiser and they are quite plentiful on the used market and should be had for less than 150 in rideable condition.
The Apex with rollercam brakes could be a hassle for somebody who didn't know how to fuss with them and keep them from eventually wearing out and reaching the tire. Bad news, that.

Geepig

Ah, can you not imagine it - the cantilevers are slow to release, the cable drops out of the y-piece and catches on the tire instead... oh yeah, baby, make my day!