Midtown

I have a buddy looking for a vintage three speed.
Who, like me, knows little about them.
Is this a decent one and is the price fair?
Thank you.

https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/h...291739487.html

Very good condition 1954 Rudge Whitworth Sports 3 Speed English Bicycle. The bike has Sturmey Archer Dyno Hub with lights, fully enclosed chain guard and very nice Brooks B66 leather saddle/seat. As found at estate sale so probably needs clean and tune and chain guard needs to be installed. Price reduced to $400. Reasonable offers (no trades) considered.

dweenk

In my area that would bring $200 to $250 on a good day. I picked up a Raleigh DL-1 for $100 in great condition. I'm sure that you are in a hotter market.

oddjob2

Unless your buddy's name is Whitworth, Rudge, or was born in 1954, keep looking. More like a $75-$150 bike IMHO.

https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/h...230859132.html

https://minneapolis.craigslist.org/h...283008214.html

zukahn1 

t
+1 The Rudge is just another English three speed even giving a premium for the brooks saddle and working dyno hub/light it is really only $150-200 bike at best. Also looks to need a complete overhaul and new consumables tires brake pads cables so figure $100-150 on top of the asking price.

dweenk

The last bike that Oddjob mentioned looks like a great deal.

Midtown

thanks everyone. oddjob that second one does look nice
. Can you tell me anything about it?
thank you.

oddjob2

They don't change much from year to year, until they moved production to Asia, not the case until the 1980s.
Appears to be a 23" frame, for riders taller than 5'9".
Price is right.

sail

The 23" looks to be in good shape. The majority I've seen are smaller like the green sports looks to be. I'd buy it and hide it from your buddy.

rhm

I think the 1954 Rudge is distinctly nicer than the 1972 Raleigh, and definitely worth more. But of course it's up to the buyer whether the extra features justify the higher price. I would rather pay $300 for the Rudge than $125 for the Raleigh; but perhaps that's just me. Given the condition of the headlight and taillight (both hard to find in this condition) I'd go $350.

The nice features of the 1954 are:
Good Brooks leather saddle;
Dynohub and lights. The hub can power modern LED lights very nicely; it is also possible to put LED's in the existing lamps.
Full chain case, which is nice for commuting in business clothes (but it's heavy).
Original pump? Very cool. I wouldn't rely on it for commuting, but it's still very cool.

I also think the Rudge chainring and fork crown make it a much cooler bike. But this is clearly just a matter of taste.

I would point out that the Rudge stem is on backwards, and the handlebar upside down. I would definitely fix the former, probably also the latter.

Were I buying it, I would make 100% sure the chain case is complete. A random small part missing from the chain case could set you back $50 if you resort to ebay.

lostarchitect 

I agree with RHM, the bike is nicer than most and is worth $300+ if it's the kind of thing you're looking for. If I could get a bike like that for the $75 quoted above, it would be a total steal. I kind of dig the upside down handlbars, makes it more sporty looking.

alexander55

The Rudge is cool...and is, ln my opinion, a good buy at $200... At $300...not so much unless you really, really love it.