marius.suiram 

I bought this bike a few days ago.
After the serial no.: WE 8... it should be a 1978 production, but the bike has Weinmann Carrera brake calipers, as a 1977 model. Can it be equiped with some leftovers calipers from the year before?
Also, the frame is a 61 cm, way too large for me, so I will try to sell it sometimes in the future. The eBay goes from 500 to more than 1,000$. What is your opinion about this one?
It has some small dots of rust on the front fork chrome.
The components look nice, as the decals too.

juvela

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minor tip on composing a listing -

the manufacturer offered these in sizes of one inch increment on the half inch

their designation for this size is 23 1/2", as measured centre to top (nominal)

this is how Raleigh enthusiasts are likely to refer to the size(s)

so this would be the best way to list the frame size. if desired, there is nothing wrong with listing a frame size in cms as well.

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marius.suiram 

Thanks for the tip.

wrk101

I don't see any on ebay that have SOLD for $1000 or anywhere near that. Highest recent sale is about half that amount. Can you provide a link? Ebay ask is not goes for.

Def.Dope

Nice

marius.suiram 

Was one sold for 549$.
There are two for over 800$, one over 1100 and one over 2000. These are the offers now.
If they were 3...4 bikes sold around 5...600, than I would say, that's the price I need to ask, but was only one sold.
This is why I asked a opinion here. I did not say my bike worth 1,000$. I will be happy to get 600$, but local, without any shipping implied.
But let me tell you a story about the "SOLD" prices on eBay.
I had some years ago a Trek 720 in excellent condition, but with a replacement rear derailleur which should be a Duopar Titanium. The same bike, same year, same color, size was sold a week before for almost 1,000 shipped.
I posted for 800 plus shipping, nobody interested, than i went down step by step to 500$ still no interest.
Somebody local was interested, he offered 350 plus a bike.
I took his offer, because I was in need of money. In Pennsylvania somebody was selling two Raleighs and I thought is a good deal. It was a good deal because I made 800$ of those two in less than a week.
So sometimes that Sold price has nothing to do with the reality.

zukahn1 

Being a GS with GS components it's from 72 or so date wise. As for value $1000 is just a no go for a GS level bike the half or so prices off ebay are on the high side. Good market I would put value at $300-400 current market $200-300. Really nice looking classic bike given current market I would keep it.

marius.suiram 

The Sheldon Brown page for 1977 Raleigh Competition shows same bike with the same characteristics.
But the s.n. according with same Sheldon Brown puts the bike in 1978. Can not be a 1972.
If the current market for the bike is 200...300$, I will take your advice and keep it for now. Thanks.

Kabuki12

The Competition GS was first offered in 1977 and was the first to come with the Campagnolo components. My experience is that they generally command a bit more than the pre 77 Competitions. Even with the market as bad as it is , I would put the value at $450 minimum in fine condition. The Carrera brakes are usually a 1977 indicator but left over parts were commonly used as you say. Mine is a November 1977 date as verified by the serial number and saddle date stamp. It has the Carrera brakes and is identical to yours. I bought mine 5 years ago from the original owner and felt extremely lucky to get it for $300 and it is near mint , but I jumped on it as soon as I saw it . Buyers were lined up.


I might add, I would not sell mine. Todays value is not any where near the value of the bike as a fine rider. As with most C&V bikes , not a good time to sell. It is , however, a good time to either hang on to it or swap for something that fits. Too bad you can’t ride it. Even though mine is a little smaller frame than my preferred size, I ride it quite a bit because it is so nice to ride even with the skinny tires on it. Joe Joesvintageroadbikes.wordpress

bikemig 

$500 for a reynolds 531 gran sport equipped bike is high for a local sale particularly given current economic conditions. This bike is exceptionally clean so that will help. I think this bike is closer to $300-$350 for a local sale and that may be tough given today's market. I'd be tempted to wait and sell it next spring.

nesteel 

We had a local listing last year for a one owner Competition GS, everything upgraded to Campy NR, including high flange hubs. It sat for months and months at $375.
Even $600 for a local sale is dream land. Good luck with that in the current market.
Ebay is hit and miss. The one sold example at $550 was best offer accepted, so you know the price was lower.

I still regret not snagging that GS at $375. No way in hell would I consider $600, even if the market wasn't in the toilet.

marius.suiram 

Thank you for your replies. It helped.
I will keep it for now and see how the market will move. I did pay a little on it, probably you cannot buy a Chinese Wal-Mart bike with what I paid.
Anyway, like idea about the Cleveland market, I sold a lot of bikes in the last week, almost run out of the bikes I redone over winter. And the prices from 100 for a Schwinn Impact to 270 for a Specialized Dolce or 250 for a Schwinn Voyageur 11.9 Altus equiped. It looks that the prices went up, compared with last seazon.

wrk101

$600 local is not happening in most markets. Pack and ship, and you might get $500 to $600. While "asking" prices on Ebay are meaningless, they can provide "cover" for your more realistically priced item. I had a cottered crank set once, only one for sale had a $180 asking for price. I figured mine might be worth $40, but it was just as nice or nicer than the $180 one. So I listed for $90. Mine sold. The $180 ask has never sold. I say thank you for those people that list at silly high prices as it just makes my items look like a better deal!

I could see $800+ on an Ebay part out.

branko_76 

Considering the current pandemic, I imagine some who normally commute by public transportation will be doing so by bike

marius.suiram 

Also somebody told me he was going to the gym daily.
As we know these were closed. He tried to buy some second hand gym equipment, but was sold out.
So he bought a bike.

marius.suiram 

You are right about tbe guys who are listing the bikes at big prices. I have two local guys in this situation.
This is a main reason why I am selling. I go way down under their prices. I have a lot of room to do that.

branko_76 

It's a beautiful bike and looks like it has been well cared for. I wonder if it has the original grease in the BB, HS and hubs? If it were mine, I'd clean all of the old grease out, check the bearings under magnification and repack everything before selling it. The new owner may not do it so it would be a shame if it were to be ridden hard without proper lubricant.

The Campy GS chairings are not easy to come by so I would also clean and check the chain for wear..

Iride01 

I have a '78 Raleigh Competition GS. I paid $180 for it used circa 2011 or '12. I too got excited about the Ebay listings for several thousand dollars. However they never sell and keep getting re-listed, over and over and over and over.

While the components look the same Campy as mine had on it, I think yours is earlier than 78. Is there a serial number on the BB?

Kabuki12

it looks like one just sold on eBay for over $800! Wow

marius.suiram 

I posted the serial number at the beginning of the post.
WE 8... , so should be a May 1978.

marius.suiram 

I just saw that one.
People are having money to spend on bikes.
Even a lot of people lost their jobs, (including me, but not for a long time, I am positive about that), but most of them still in positions. It is the other side: in a normal time people are spending a lot on food in restaurants and other types of recreation, you name them. All a closed now, so it is a excess of money not spent for recreation. What is left to do?? Biking.
Just a thought.

branko_76 

regarding your Weinmann Carrera question, here is one for sale in Illinois with the same brakes...

zukahn1 

Well one nice thing about the so-so carrera brakes is they have a ton off room running 700's they will take up to 38'S no issues.

desconhecido 

If you think it's worth $600, or close to it, put it on ebay at that or best offer and see what happens. It's been so long since I've sold anything on ebay that I have no idea what the listing fee is, but, as I recall, it's not that much. If you don't get more than the "keep" value, then hold it for better days. I know that the market for bikes may be depressed and that the great hunker may be keeping people out of the market for cost savings reasons, but that's a fine bike and there's probably somebody out there with some cash who wants it.

Kabuki12

the fees charged by eBay and their other company pay pal add up to quite a bit. And in some cases, they will hold your funds for 21 days if you don’t have a history of similar sales. I know this because they did it to me. The funds sat in hold even after they took their fees out and there is NO WAY to get them to release the money. It used to be a good way to buy or sell things, but they have really become a nightmare for those who are not volume sellers. I still buy on eBay but I will never sell anything with them again. As far as what the bike is worth, it is whatever value the bike has to the owner when the bike is his or hers , or when it is sold. With vintage stuff it can be all over the place.