Dose of Reality II: Examples of Bikes Not Moving at LOW PRICES!
#1
Thrifty Bill
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Dose of Reality II: Examples of Bikes Not Moving at LOW PRICES!
As a followup for the other Dose of Reality Thread: Some Pretty Nice Bikes that Are Not Moving in your Area:
Edit:
"I am just trying to post examples of reality: nice, desirable vintage bikes at attractive prices, that are NOT selling.
None of the bikes below are mine. And as pointed out below, I would hope I could do a much better job preparing, cleaning, and taking pictures!"
I singled out Centurion/Diamondback as my examples as they are well thought of and I happened to find a lot of them for sale at low prices.
Exhibit #1 : Centurion Ironman
The Ironman used to be an easy $350 bike, and would sell lightning fast around here for $300.
This one has been on the market for OVER 2 months, for $175. Very clean. Love the Rolls saddle!!
Edit:
"I am just trying to post examples of reality: nice, desirable vintage bikes at attractive prices, that are NOT selling.
None of the bikes below are mine. And as pointed out below, I would hope I could do a much better job preparing, cleaning, and taking pictures!"
I singled out Centurion/Diamondback as my examples as they are well thought of and I happened to find a lot of them for sale at low prices.
Exhibit #1 : Centurion Ironman
The Ironman used to be an easy $350 bike, and would sell lightning fast around here for $300.
This one has been on the market for OVER 2 months, for $175. Very clean. Love the Rolls saddle!!
Centurion Expert Ironman Dave Scott Bicycle - $175 (Lenior City, TN)
image 1 of 14Last edited by wrk101; 12-25-19 at 08:19 AM.
#2
Thrifty Bill
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OK, $175 too high? How about $100 for a Centurion Ironman. Yes, it needs drop bars, but overall its in nice condition. Its been for sale for five days.
1989 Dave Scott centurion - $100 (Vidalia)
image 2 of 2
#3
Thrifty Bill
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For sale for 10 days, Diamondback Interval (replacement for the Ironman), $125
1990 Vintage Diamond Back Centurion Interval - $125 (O'Fallon)
image 1 of 11
#4
Thrifty Bill
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#5
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couldn't resist this one...
1972 Masi grand criterium 62cm mint - $3400 (Monterey)
1972 Masi grand criterium 62cm mint - $3400 (Monterey)
Museum.quality restoration by Cyclart ..have receipts...paint and rechrome $2200.00
All vintage parts period correct and NOS. Never ridden....is a show bike only.
No trades.
All vintage parts period correct and NOS. Never ridden....is a show bike only.
No trades.
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#6
señor miembro
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Assume that one's not yours or the pics would be far better. Without drill-down pics, interest drops.
Also assume the pink/yellow one isn't yours, or you'd mount appropriate pedals and a solid color bar tape.
Also assume the pink/yellow one isn't yours, or you'd mount appropriate pedals and a solid color bar tape.
#7
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Here's one I overbuilt and couldn't sell for what I wanted as listed on Seattle CL most of the spring and summer. It's an '87 circuit and a repaint.
I had it listed for well over my only offer of $400, which I rejected. Then I removed the ad.
I just overbuilt it with a dura ace brakeset, a bunch of Campy Triomphe, and a NOS Sprint rear derailleur. I was trying to reap a price I thought all that stuff was worth. So, recently, I found a donor bike with Shimano 600/105 to replace all the nicer componentry. I wish I had a cheaper set of wheels than these Triomphe ones. It's still a great bike, but now I don't mind selling it for $340 or whatever, and maybe putting in the ad that I will sell the bike without the wheelset, too.
I had it listed for well over my only offer of $400, which I rejected. Then I removed the ad.
I just overbuilt it with a dura ace brakeset, a bunch of Campy Triomphe, and a NOS Sprint rear derailleur. I was trying to reap a price I thought all that stuff was worth. So, recently, I found a donor bike with Shimano 600/105 to replace all the nicer componentry. I wish I had a cheaper set of wheels than these Triomphe ones. It's still a great bike, but now I don't mind selling it for $340 or whatever, and maybe putting in the ad that I will sell the bike without the wheelset, too.
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^^^Front wheel quick release is on the incorrect side.^^^
#9
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#10
Thrifty Bill
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Secondly, the preparation and pictures would have been A LOT better! I would have put drops on that $100 bike, I would have replaced the rusty cables on the $175 bike, bar tape, etc...
I'll edit my OP.
I'd probably be a buyer of #2 if it were local. I have a pile of aero brake levers, drop bars, and saddles, along with the typical consumables. So I could sort it out without spending any additional cash money. Figure with a $100 ask, it might be yours for $75.
Last edited by wrk101; 12-25-19 at 08:22 AM.
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#11
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I never sold a bike for what I thought it was worth and I am pretty sure I lost money on every bike, frame or part I ever sold.
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
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#12
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#13
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I have given on trying to sell bikes on CL. I don't want to deal with Ebay and shipping, and I don't use facebook. I am not a flipper, but I used to sell 6 or 8 bikes a year to support my habit. I have not sold a single bike in 2 years on CL. Most of the local big flippers have bikes that have been listed for 8 to 12 months (even with price drops) and still persist.
The only bikes that have moved through my garage are the ones that I have donated. It is a very different market than 3 or 4 years ago.
The only bikes that have moved through my garage are the ones that I have donated. It is a very different market than 3 or 4 years ago.
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"incorrect"?
I admit if I had the front derailleur flipped around to the other side it would be "incorrect."
For many, having suntour, campagnolo, and dura ace on the same bike is "incorrect."
And those gold decals on an '87 Circuit is very "incorrect"!
But, as always, "ymmv."
I admit if I had the front derailleur flipped around to the other side it would be "incorrect."
For many, having suntour, campagnolo, and dura ace on the same bike is "incorrect."
And those gold decals on an '87 Circuit is very "incorrect"!
But, as always, "ymmv."
#15
señor miembro
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Of course not. That thought never entered my mind because you're not a newb. And when I offered my one experience above, I simply wanted to share what I learned about overbuilding a mid-level bike. It was a new experience for me.
I don't worry about a bike not selling. I've come to terms with the low market and changed my buying habits accordingly. The huge drawback is I don't get to wrench as much as I used to, but I need to ride more anyway.
I think the "are you looking for one of these..." c&v thread does this one's job fairly well.
Cheers.
I don't worry about a bike not selling. I've come to terms with the low market and changed my buying habits accordingly. The huge drawback is I don't get to wrench as much as I used to, but I need to ride more anyway.
I think the "are you looking for one of these..." c&v thread does this one's job fairly well.
Cheers.
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#18
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#19
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I know its the winter off season but in Denver there are nice 80's Trek road bikes like this one being llisted under $50 and not moving.
https://denver.craigslist.org/bik/d/...041550250.html
https://denver.craigslist.org/bik/d/...041550250.html
#20
Thrifty Bill
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Diamondback Master TG, no front wheel, $30.... Been for sale for several weeks.
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Picked one of those up complete a year or two ago for $75
Was jazzed with the "Smoke on the water" color scheme - even came with the stock 105sc quill pedals - Was really happy with that detail
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So as the saying goes, "I lose money on every sale but make up for it in volume". You are adhering to one of the business principles that are often used.
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Next year we will need a bigger truck. Smiles, MH
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I have given on trying to sell bikes on CL. I don't want to deal with Ebay and shipping, and I don't use facebook. I am not a flipper, but I used to sell 6 or 8 bikes a year to support my habit. I have not sold a single bike in 2 years on CL. Most of the local big flippers have bikes that have been listed for 8 to 12 months (even with price drops) and still persist.
The only bikes that have moved through my garage are the ones that I have donated. It is a very different market than 3 or 4 years ago.
The only bikes that have moved through my garage are the ones that I have donated. It is a very different market than 3 or 4 years ago.