cdcintern

hi All,
I am a newbie. I used to ride a mountain bike to work earlier but gave up a few years ago. I am trying to get back in shape. I have heard a lot about Raleigh and wanted to get one for sometime now....
I am trying to purchase an old Raleigh Grand Prix
I do not know the year but the person offered it to me for a 100$. He did mention that the tires were in good condition but the bike would need some work

It is in excellent shape, with good tires and brakes, and everything works very well. The components are alloy and the hubs are quick-release. It is a 12-speed road bike with the turned-down bars and shifters on the down tube

I was wondering if this a good price?
i am attaching the pictures here
Any feedback would be appreciated
thanks

wrk101

Just depends on how much work it needs. In ready to ride condition, it would be worth around $150 to $175 here. Looks pretty clean, so if you are handy, you should be able to do a little minor work on it and start riding. I would need more clarity on what work it needs. Make sure frame is dent and rust free. Based on the pics, it looks like a good deal to me.

+1 I too prefer a vintage (1980s) bike. They are much easier to work on than the latest and greatest, and they are available at a huge discount over any decent modern road bike.

HSean

Agreed. also if it's your size it's a great deal, the way I think of it is. Don't ever buy a new bike/ modern bike. Maybe it's just me but repairing them, riding them, they suck and break easy, these older bike i've never had problems with, that road bike looks in great shape and i'd even pay that for it. here fixed up ready to go it could proberly rake in 200$

cdcintern

From the present owner
Raleigh Grand Prix from the mid-80s that would fit you well (50cm), and it is in the lower end of my price range – I would sell it for $125. It is in excellent shape, with good tires and brakes, and everything works very well. The components are alloy and the hubs are quick-release.

It is a 12-speed road bike with the turned-down bars and shifters on the down tube (from the handlebars to the pedals, IMO where they are supposed to be – but I am old school). I would ride it anywhere – but it is on the smaller side for me (5’10”). This is an “American” Raleigh, made in Taiwan, as most bikes were beginning in the late 1970s. That is not a bad thing – it is still a high quality lugged chromoly frame.


I am a 5'6" (short) so I am not quite sure if this will fit well. I would be using it for my daily commute to work over the summer and for school in the fall. I really love the way this bike looks but a few friends have been pressing me to go for a new bike especially if I am spending a 100$. This might be sacrilege comparing a Raleigh to a Kent but there happens to be a Kent GMC denali bike in my size on Amazon (sorry) for a similar price and its new. I have to state I am not a collector but appreciate a good ride. My previous bikes were not top of the range but gave me many years of faithful service and it was a wrench having to part with them. I thought it is time to finally indulge my desire to own a Raleigh...
Anyways gentlemen with this added info above any thoughts?

The present owner is a collector too it seems...

gurry

I would buy the Raleigh, if it fits you. By looking at the rear dropouts, it looks like this bike may be mid-level or higher. These are the bikes to look out for, 1980's, good tubing, forged drop-outs, etc.