stefrancaise

Hi there!

I'm new to the forum, so apologies if I don't have enough information for an adequate answer to my question.

Also, just an FYI, I'm not very educated in bicycles, but I have owned one all my life! I currently have a Bobbin Birdie that I bought 2 years ago just to get around the city. I'm looking for more of a road bike now.

Anyhow, I'm pining for an early 1980s Raleigh Record 12 speed women's bike. The guy at the shop is selling it for $350. It hasn't been repainted or anything, it's in its original dark pink colour with some scratches on it. The only new addition is the handlebar tape. I rode it for a bit and it's smooth and seems in good shape. The seat actually looks brand new, so I don't think it was used very much. He said the woman he got it from was the original owner. There's some rust on the wheel frame, but he's offered to clean it up for me for free.

How much is this bike worth? I'm thinking of trading in my Bobbin for it, but I have no idea how much either of these bikes should go for. My Bobbin was $499 only 2 years ago, and it's in good shape except for some mud stains. I only ride it in the spring and summer.

Thanks! Any advice is much appreciated.

Chombi

Can you possibly post up some pics of the bike before you buy it?
The pics can certainly help us give you the best estimates on the value of the bike.

sail

As I recall the Record was the bottom of the Raleigh line.

wrk101

$350 is very high. Where are you located, and you need to post pictures to get any realistic feedback.

daf1009

Welcome to the Bike Forums...hopefully, you will get some good information here.

As others have said, pictures would be helpful...but...

$350 for a Record is quite high...particularly as you describe it...the Record was at or near the bottom end of the Raleigh line. And...while it is riding ok now, it will probably need a bit of upkeep and that will cost more.

stefrancaise

Hi again!

Thanks for all the advice so far. I live in downtown Toronto, Canada. Vintage bikes are definitely popular, especially in the area I live in. I figured the price was pretty high for a potentially 34 year old bike. Even if it is in good shape. The bike was made in Canada, if that helps at all.

Would a trade for my Bobbin be fair?

I managed to get a picture, but for some reason the uploader won't let me post them. Does anyone know how to fix this?

stefrancaise

I took a couple pictures of it on my phone, but they won't upload. Do you know how to fix this?

daf1009

If it is truly a Raleigh, it was not built in Canada...

FastJake

I know how to post pictures from a computer but not from a phone.

From what I know about the Raleigh Record $350 is almost certainly way too much. It sounds like a bike shop price, because they "tuned it up." Whether they actually did anything or not depends on the shop...

stefrancaise

Aha! I managed to upload the photos. Thanks again, everyone.

brian3069

That's a $75-$100 bike in the middle of California.

wrk101

Bottom end step through = bottom end price. No idea where the bottom is in Toronto, but this one is it. In my area, CA price is about right.

Note, you are buying from a shop, at the bottom end, I expect their prices to be close to double private party sales.

Get knowledge or get taken. With the internet, getting knowledge has never been easier.

Your Bobbin is very likely a much better bike.

jon c. 

I've heard Toronto is a very pricey market, but that's still too high.

cb400bill

Raleigh built bikes in Quebec for years.

daf1009

Good to know

stefrancaise

Thanks so much, everyone!

I guess I'll keep shopping around.

Jalil111

Hello, I happen to own the same bike , same colour, even the rust on rims, and a bit on the frame ,seat post and handle bar, the saddle is very narrow made of hard plastic(may be not original but it looks vintage).mine has serial number starting with R(made in Canada) actually there still the sticker from the shop in Montreal, I just rode it today and loved it so much, that I might keep it for some time(and few accessories).if you buy(or bought) yours for 350$ then ,I'll sell mine for 150$ at least( because I had thought of listing it for 100$).

capnjonny 

When buying a vintage bike like this Raleigh condition is everything. One determiner of value is the extent to which the bike has been serviced/ overhauled. That bike just out of someones garage untouched for years is probably worth $50-$100. It will need a thourough reconditioning. To do that, including servicing the wheel , headset , and bottom bracket bearings, installing new cables and covers, new brake blocks, and tires would require at least 5-8 hours labour plus $50-$100.

If all that was done by a shop then $300 would probably be a good price.

zukahn1 

!981 or so as said bottom end Raliegh made in Canada yes they made Ralieghs in Canada for a few years in the 70's early80's. I would say hard pass IMHO for the original poster and would not trade a good working modern bike for this one. While it has good cosmetics it has steel wheels and not so good caliber brakes which equals no effective brakes with water or cold. Setup build looks a bit sloppy, wrong size rack, yuck cabling fenders and just a general sloppy feel like the they don't care much about bikes of this level to a Lady buyer if this is the guys work I would highly suggest you look for different bike shop.

RoadWearier

I was pining for an early 80's men's Record from when I was a teenager. However once I read about how low-end they are and that anything older than 30 years is "classic vintage" I stopped wanting one at the prices they are asking. Not sure a Raleigh from the 80's is really much better than a department store bike from the same era. Certainly not worth $300+. Probably not worth half that

alcjphil

The Raleigh factory in Waterloo Quebec closed in 2013 after 40 years of operation.

https://montreal.ctvnews.ca/raleigh-...ears-1.1117599

es1bkacsur

I have a 1972? men's Record I posted here back in Jan. 2020 & the general consensus was it was a $100 bike at best so the price for the bike you're looking at is way high in comparison. I paid $15 & still have it.

es1bkacsur

I just checked $350 Canadian is $254.21 US, still pretty high, a proper price is more like $137.68 Canadian ($100 US).

5colellla

Had one of those…