southpier

will a bike of no particular "specialness" become more or less valuable with equipment changes?

cb400bill

It may or it may not.

Bianchigirll 

It depends. If you took say a '89 Bianchi Campione de Italia with that Quattro groupin great condition but swapped out the group for a early '90s Ultegra group it might raise the value of the bike from $250-300 up to $350-400 but who is to say

tmh657

Probably depends on the amount of "specialness" the bike has to begin with. If you were to add SRAM to it then no, IMO.

curbtender

You just have to find that one person that is enchanted by it. In general, I'm going to say no.

southpier

I hate "reality checks"


but applaud your candor!

CliffordK

Add a Campagnolo 50th Anniversary groupset to just about any mid 80's, and the bike will be more valuable.

Vintage Dead Stock Campagnolo 50th Anniversary Component Set Derosa Rossin Rare $5999



Of course, taking a NOS groupset and installing it on a cheap bike, the result could well be worth less than the original groupset.

southpier

for 6k, I hope it comes with stickers!

Last ride 76 

I guess they assumed you'd have a tub of grease... I miss that smell.

Phil_gretz

It's a tough question because of all of the variables involved. For a mid-level riding bike, and if the parts swap is both an upgrade and period correct (something a serious rider would have done at the time), then the overall value might increase.

Why not explain the origin of your question?

rumrunn6

if you want to justify the expense of upgrades, I would put the value on what the upgrades mean to you, not some future buyer

in general, a bike is worth what someone will pay for it. so, one guy, one day may offer you $X for the bike w/o upgrades, but another guy, another day may offer you the same $X with the upgrades

also, wondering why it matters to you. upgrade your bike if you want your bike to have those upgrades. or maybe buy a better bike?

wrk101

Never upgrade for a financial return as you won't get one. Instead, upgrade for your personal enjoyment. The enjoyment you get from riding it will be the payout. I have done this several times. Later I either swap it back to the original build or take a loss on my upgrade work.

Upgrade parts are worth more as parts to sell, than they increase the value of the bike. Swap out a crankset with one worth lets say $150, and the bike at best may have gained $25 in value (more likely nothing in value). Even if you got this valuable crankset for "free", since you could have sold it for $150, you really gave up $150 by using it.

The economics of my personal bikes are like this. I recently bought a donor bike for $65. Sold the pedals for $50. So now I am at $15. I then used all the remaining components to upgrade my personal bike. So you could look at it as costing me $15. But on the other hand, I could have sold the remaining components for $300. So out of pocket I am OK, but getting a sizable increase in value in my personal bike? Not happening.

southpier

fair questions & good perspectives #10 , #11 , & #12 .

I bought an '84 Peugeot mixtre P-18 (?) (via component numbers & stamps) in good (read: unused) condition 5 years ago. the kid wanted $45, and I wanted it badder so I gave him $60.

I took it apart to nothing. tossed everything but the frame, fork, derailleurs, cranks, chainrings, pedals, wheels & hubs. bought a ton of "French" tools, VO parts, tiny bits, honjo, nitto, brooks, panaracer, soma, and the correct size, no shim, seatpost for $93!!!.

it was a "tuition project" from the start. in between rough assembly & today, I bought a full sized van and paneled the inside.

so painted & assembled, ridden twice to get things adjusted, I've got about $850 including paint and velocals on order.

I simply have no interest in keeping it. it's in my rear view mirror and i'm on to other projects.

Q: what to do?

big chainring 

Well thats interesting. Whats a "tuition project".

wrk101

Either take the loss and sell complete or take the time to dismantle and maybe lose a little less.

The only to get out of a project without a loss is to score a donor bike cheap and don’t paint. As you discovered between paint and decal cost, it’s cheaper in the end to pay more for a bike with great paint.

By 1984, Peugeots used mostly standard parts so a decent Japanese bike can make a good donor.

As far as losses go, I’ve lost a lot more on some of my “genius” stock picks..

southpier

I have no qualms about the value of the experience. it's finding the right person to purchase it. tuition is expensive and I could not buy what I learned futzing around with this project.

I simply want it out of the shop to make way for future endeavors. but, then, i'm a stubborn old yankee that will toss it in the bin before i'll sell it to some hipster duffus who can well afford the price of admission.

as "curbtender" noted "You just have to find that one person that is enchanted …"

Phil_gretz

Part it out, then. Disassemble and sell each part on eBay. List the frame, as well. If the repaint is of the quality you were after, it should sell, too.

southpier

did you or your children go to college?

tuition is expensive. I paid a lot for parts & tools but rose the learning curve so I don't have remorse. I will just do things differently next time to cut down a bit on cost. (time & parts cost; and i've already got the tools)

cudak888 

Nuovo Record shifters on a Schwinn Varsity doesn't make a Varsity a Colnago Super.

Huret Allvit derailers on a Colnago Super doesn't make a Colnago Super a Varsity.

The level of "it depends" is so large as to be meaningless under the given parameters.

-Kurt

aprieto28

I up-graded this bike for personal preference. I could never sell the bike for the amount of money I have invested in it. So it's a keeper.




80's Italian "Giubilato"Columbus SL

southpier

or is it so meaningful that it lends a mootness to the entire question . . . .

cudak888 

Glass half full...glass half empty.

-Kurt

r0ckh0und 

I purchased this 4130 Schwinn World for $5 and stripped it down to the frame and rebuilt with parts on hand. Granted the saddle may be a little over the top. Took it to a bike swap and folks were getting in line to buy it at $225. I think there's some merit in taking a typical Chro-Mo frame and building a gravel grinder or the like. It most cases it's a "labor of love", the cash payoff just isn't there

I think investment in developing your mechanical skills in worth it also.