Midnite

Dear Friends,

I came across with this ad, the seller told me it is a Russian bike - he wants 140USD for it.

Do you think it is a bike to restore and keep it for years ?

Poguemahone

The Russians apparently had some framebuilding techniques that involved riding the bike into a curb to get the proper bend in the top tube and down tube.

(Looks badly damaged. Pass big time. Real value tops out at 5$)

T-Mar

Even if the frame wasn't bent, it would only be worth about 1/4 the asking price.

wrk101

Shop less, study more. Spend time going through this sub-forum, looking at what is valuable. Nothing on that bike meets the valuable criteria. You need to educate yourself so you can spot the difference between good, mediocre and bad. Its really not that hard to become knowledgeable.

And you have mentioned restoring a bike. Restoration typically only makes sense if you have the time/tools/aptitude/workshop space/pile of parts. Otherwise, buying one fully restored will make more sense.

Badly crashed bottom end bike with major frame damage = worthless here.

Bikerider007

Its toast, those are rough built but honestly of it were clean I would have tried to negotiate and bought. The USSR decal and star on forks make it collectible to me. Also like the single chainring and bars.

unterhausen

I'm curious what the market is like in Turkey. I assume the supply is really limited. How hard is it to make it to France?

Midnite

You want to purchase it ?

bigbenaugust 

Front derailleurs are for the capitalist bourgeoisie!

Midnite

)) That's really funny, off course in Turkey we have high end bikes avaliable, but my aim is to find something interesting and if possible to educate myself with your valuable, do you think i am ruining the forum ?

CliffordK

I'm not quite sure what to say about that bike.

I don't see many USSR bicycles around here. So, that one would be truly unique.

As mentioned, it does have had some pretty severe trauma to the top tube/down tube, but looking at it, it appears to be a curved bend, rather than a sharp bend.

That likely means a couple of things.

#1 , it may well be a candidate to be straightened using one of the head tube straightening tools (Park HTS-1 or equivalent).

#2 , it is most likely straight wall tubing without butting.

The pressed rear dropout with a derailleur hanger is most unique.

Looking on E-Bay, I'm seeing a few shifters, but no full XB3 groupsets, at least not here in the USA. And, mostly track bikes.

Imagine if the only bikes in the USA were vintage Huffy and Murray bikes. And, mostly single-speed cruisers.

Actually, I think that bike may well be a step above the Huffy/Murray bikes. Perhaps even one step above the Schwinn Varsity bikes (although only a 5-speed).

That seat looks pretty cool. Leather?

If you are interested in Russian bikes and the X3B, then the groupset minus frame may well be worth around $100. And as mentioned, the frame might be able to be restored using the Park HTS-1... at least worth the experiment.

Frame tube replacement would be a hassle, and would require a lot of work and repainting.

Anyway, if that bike was local in the USA, I'd probably jump on it for $100... don't know about $140

And, much less likely to be interested in $140 + $100 shipping.

Phil_gretz

I'd say that the Russian mimicry of the MAFAC center pull caliper is spot-on, and kinda cool...

WGB 

Midnite

You certainly aren't causing grief on the forums. We get that in Turkey there are high end bikes. But I expect that in Turkey, just like in Canada and the USA not every town has a great selection of used bikes. We see what you posted, a weird Russian bike that is damaged and a Korean frame with at least some Russian parts and the suggestions were if that is what is for sale locally - run away and buy something by mail ( or go to a larger urban area) for better choices. If you want something different and that Russian bike is really different, by all means buy if you can afford it. As pointed out it's missing it's FD (unless it's a five speed - can't see the non drive side so unsure what it is) so can you source parts if it needs them? I buy weird stuff also, life is short so enjoy the challenge.

CliffordK

The chain guard seems to bolt onto the spider with 6 bolts. But otherwise, I don't see any sign of a second ring in any of the photos.

Nor is there any obvious paint damage from a missing derailleur.

So, It may well be native 5-speed.

That is a pretty corncob-ish freewheel for a 5-speed.

The bike doesn't look like it takes a lot of specialized tools, but there is no guarantee that things like a freewheel tool would be universally available. Nor any guarantee that the freewheel would be compatible with others on the market.

It could mean a unique maintenance experience if parts didn't quite meet western standards. Although, as mentioned, it does appear as if at least some technology was utilized that is similar to French bikes.

unterhausen

So far, the bikes you have posted would end up in my local bike shop's pile headed to metal recyclers. My question was more aimed at the vintage bike market where you are, which seems to be quite poor. In particular, the fake Colnago indicates to me that interesting vintage bikes of higher quality are not available. Although there has been a bit of that sort of fakery here in the U.S. There are a lot of nice vintage bikes near me, but in general people aren't selling them. That may be the case in your area as well.

There were some really nice high-end Russian bikes with copies of high-end parts. Don't know if any of those made it to Turkey, I would think about buying something like that.

jon c. 

The Russian bike would be a delightful novelty in the US and would therefore be worth $100 or so were it not for the damage. But given it's condition, it's worthless.

CliffordK

I wouldn't wish to try to predict what is or isn't available without actually seeing all the bikes and the ads.

When I was in Italy in the 1980's, a lot of bikes weren't really on the market, but buyers could get in touch with sellers by word of mouth. One just had to know the right people.

The internet has changed a lot, but I wonder if there is still some of that insider trading between friends. Even here in the USA. Or, people that might sell a bike, but aren't really trying.

It may also depend on the market one is searching.

For example, the Colnago Arabesque could well be a $5000 bike. Or, at least it would be if it was a real Colnago.

Even a 40 year old Colnago Super is rarely found for < $500 for a complete bike.

So, if one is searching for a vintage classic between $100 and $200, it can be a long search before that gem pops up, and still probably will be pretty tarnished, and it never was quite the top of the line, or has had all the good parts downgraded.

The important thing is to start learning what is a "gem", and what is "trash".

There are a number of telltale signs such as:
Oh, and CONDITION.

Like the frame above. A pretty unique frame. It may or may not be able to be repaired cost effectively. But... A bike with a badly damaged frame will take a huge hit on value. Sometimes down to just the value of the components.

Painting a frame can be both fulfilling, as well as toublesome and one loses the "originality" of it. Still, nothing beats pretty paint (with good graphics).

Now, being in Europe, you may have access to some bikes that never quite show up in the USA.

And, any rule that one makes will be broken one time or another. In particular, there may be huge differences when comparing say 1950's bikes to 1980's bikes.

Also, there may be a bike that is completely of different character that has some redeeming quality. For example, the vintage Tank Bike Cruisers can have a unique appeal.

And, of course, there are those bikes that were tossed aside 30 years ago for one reason or another, but are gems today.

unterhausen

people know the owner of my LBS will buy their old Grove Innovations bikes. He has an ever-growing collection hanging from the walls and ceilings of the shop. Those bikes were never on the market. So it's possible that the OP just needs to meet the right people.

Midnite

Annnddd more picturessss Looks like it got hit a by rhino

unterhausen

looks like it was made for a front rack, too bad that's gone. If it was in pristine condition it would be a lot more interesting

CliffordK

You certainly have pretty long reach brakes and a lot of tire clearance despite the bend.

You can easily fit in larger tires and/or fenders if desired.

Talk to your local shops (those that deal with old bikes), and see if any have the Park HTS-1, and would be willing to have a go for it on the frame.

You can't make it worse... I don't think.

Midnite

I really wish I could do that

Midnite

Dear WGB, it is true that in Turkey we have high end nice bikes avaliable in the market, but please consider Turkey was never a great bike market 30 years ago or 20 years so the choices are very very limited and sellers of these bikes are asking unbelievable prices for them.

On the other hand, I am a collector of antique toys but got infected with the old bike market but as my knowledge is very very limited I try to educated myself with low end bikes which we call junk off course.

But thank you very much for your contribution and remarks.

Midnite

CliffordK the information you passed to me is unbelievable - thank you !!! Great Stuff, I am much appreicated.

Deal4Fuji

I like it ! The head badge, color, and especially all the Russian branding make it really unique, at least here in the US. A shame it has frame damage but I'd buy it as is for maybe ½ of listed price.

Midnite

Maybe I can purchase it and ship it to you ? Seriously.