philbob57

Is there an annual cycle for price fluctuations for vintage parts? If so, whet are the best times to sell? When are the best times to buy?

For example, when do people look for parts for an Eroica bike? When do people buy Christmas gifts? When do they buy for a new outdoor cycling season?

I'm thinking about parts from the '70s and '80s.

Thanks.

(Mods: I am not asking for friend. If I decide to sell via BF, I'll be happy to sign up for a premium membership.)

Bianchigirll 

I am pretty sure I've lost money on almost everything I have sold.

wrk101

I've never seen a cycle or best/worst time of year value wise. Realize during popular times you tend to see more for sale, during slower times, you tend to see fewer for sale. I've sold Christmas sweaters in January. No competition then!

I guess I prefer people to THINK there is a cycle/best time of year, as it limits the competition. So yeah, sure, wait to sell......


The biggest cycle to concern yourself with is stuff goes in and out of fashion. So the sooner you put them up for sale, the least likely you are to see the market change. Vintage stuff does NOT always go up in value. I've seen a lot of this already, example, 1980s touring bikes. The lower to mid level road stuff from the 1970s and 1980s are also in decline. I am more cautious on what I buy for sure!


If you want an investment, sell ALL of your bike stuff ASAP and buy the stock in a good company.


Most parts from the 1970s and 1980s are in decline value wise (I can't think of anything from that era going up). Hold on to stuff at your own risk. Hold long enough, and you will be donating all of it....

The term I would use to describe the vintage bike market is "secular decline".


So please, please, please, WAIT! I have a lot left to sell. Once I am done, go for it!

gomango

I used to make a buck or two up until 6 years ago.

Nowadays, I'm happy to get a hardy hand shake.

I was never very aggressive about selling, but it's almost always slow on any given season. imho

mpetry912 

yes, there is a cycle to the vintage parts market, and we are in the pits now. The peak of the cycle was back in the 2000-2003 timeframe, back when I put set of Mafac Top-63 brakes on eboy and they went to 1200 buck!

That ship has sailed, train left the station, chain came off the sprocket, game over. So, sell or trade as you like but there's very little upside in the vintage parts market sorry to say.

The good news is if there's something you want, don't be afraid to make reasonable offers, sellers are receptive.

Mark Petry
Bainbridge Island, WA USA

Drillium Dude 

Geez, after seeing three beautiful bikes go begging on our own FSOT thread (super bikes at super prices), I just don't know anymore. Maybe the bottom is falling out.

Then again, someone is currently willing to part with $196+ for a four vintage brake shoes on Ebay. Again: I dunno.

The prices are all over the map right now, so I have no idea if it's the season or just the way it is for vintage bike stuff.

Happily I'm not in any hurry to sell anything (and expect top-dollar) and I have no real needs/wants for the bikes currently, though I'm always on the lookout for good quality clincher rubber.

DD

Chombi1 

C&Vers for the most part are cheapskates, so don't expect to get rich selling C&V parts, unless you have some sort of uber rare, iconic thing to sell..... Even then, it will still take a while to sell it, and prices will be negotiated downwards by prospective buyers....

The Golden Boy 

I thought it was just me that lost my ass on everything ....

ryansu

It does seem like folks will pay for anything with Campagnolo on it but I agree things have softened up. I sold 5 bikes this summer and was happy to get offers for modest margins and move them out of my apartment I did ok on a Specialized Allez but it helped that I got it for cheap. And none of my gains factor in the time I spent refurbing the bikes

My advice is to buy stuff in your size that you like, ride them and then if you sell them and don't rake in the $$ you got some enjoyment out of them. I agree @wrk101 if I was looking for gains I would buy mutual funds and hold them,

old's'cool

My answer: When I'm buying. Which unfortunately for you, isn't very often lately.

big chainring 

From my experience Fall is a great time to sell bikes. January and Febuary I sell parts and frames. Spring is a season that just doesn't happen anymore in the midwest. Trying to sell a bike in April or May when its raining and 40 degrees....not ideal.

Campy sells. The big 3, Raleigh, Motobecane and Peugeot are the easiest bikes to sell. A white and black Peugeot wether its a UO-8 or PX-10 ...sells.

Moto Grand Record or Jubilee...money in the bank. Brooks or Ideale saddles...gold.

The Japanese stuff I really dont know that well, but SunTour Superbe and Cyclone are big. Same with barend shifters.

Read thru BF and see what everyone raves about and buy bikes that have those parts.

nlerner

I was going to say when someone else is selling the same part, but then again, I think you’re right!

jlaw

IMHO the market for C&V is comprised mostly of older white guys. The pool of buyers is shrinking and that's why prices/interest have been dropping for many years. Lots of good product and pricing for those of us who are still interested.

I think most sellers are lucky to find a buyer who cares about the item and is willing to pay a fair price (which is pretty low these days).

Sell your stuff now. It'll be worth less next year.

Not trying to be a downer so I will end with 3 happy faces!

mpetry912 

I've been lucky enough to make significant bank on 2 vintage bikes, both of which I rode and enjoyed and sold for significant multiples of what I paid for them.

But I think those days are done.

I frequently give small parts to folks in need, or sell stuff without regard to cost basis.

There is still investment grade stuff with significant upside potential. Cinellis from the classic period (1960-1974) in good original condition are very much under appreciated, IMHO

But, you may have to wait a long time for your buyer.

Mark Petry
Bainbridge Island, WA USA

randyjawa 

In Canada, where I live, interest in vintage bicycles drops like a rock in mid November and starts to pick up again in sometime in mid January. That was when the markets were strong, which most no longer are. More important than time of year is location of sale, what is being sold and the seller's marketing skills. To get top dollar, the seller must also be patient, waiting until the right buyer comes along.

Perhaps Basic Trading or On-Line Trading will shed a bit more light on how to make more with what you have to work with.

Narhay

Good stuff in good condition is still selling.

I see prices for top end componentry still being fairly strong for campagnolo, huret, simplex, TA, and suntour cyclone/superbe. Buying complete or incomplete bikes locally and then marketing internationally is still the best method for returns. I am getting a lot lazier when I see a decent deal but factor in travel time. That being said I did travel 3 hours a couple weeks ago to see a real rust bucket.

I don't really bother with midrange or lower gear anymore as the margins aren't there and I don't have enough time to clean and market them.

The worst moneywise I did for Ebay was the first week of January when I wanted to test out unfixed bid only prices. Apparently after spending all their money on Christmas most people were still in budget recovery mode come early January.

LBCwanabe 

Interesting

wrk101

I stopped doing "auctions" a few years ago. Fixed priced buy it now, immediate payment required. If it doesn't sell in 30 days, my price is too high.