Nubra 

This bike came to our non profit via donation. It lookes awesome, and after trying to find the provenance, it seems to be either a 1984 or 1985, but there are inconsistencies with some of the groupset info. The High Sierra in 1985 was supposed to have Riser Bars, this one has Bullmoose bars. Some years have it listed with Suntour Cranks (This is a Sugino SR) and in 1985 it was supposed to have a 6 speed freewheel, but it is a 5 speed Suntour. It is in excellent condition and appears to be all original, including the saddle brake pads and tires (it had a padded saddle cover on it) and a plastic covered chain that was prevelant in the 1980's. I know, cause I had one.







It is a 21 in, mid crank to top of toptube. Catalogues list the sizes as 18, 21, 23.
In any case, I was the only one in our group (nice guys but all in their 30's, except me, not into older bikes) that recognized it as a fine specimen. It was ignored int the back of the donation room. Looking on Ebay, sellers range from $450-$750 PLUS shipping.

Any suggestions or clarifications. Our nonprofit, nor myself personally, do not sell on Ebay, and I would list it here in SF bay area on Craigslist, or on the forum in Market. Appreciate realistic appraisal. Our group sells bikes and then uses proceeds to maintain a fleet of bikes for kids to ride, as well as giving bikes away to those frequent riders who do not have bikes at home.
Cheers,

RCMoeur 

I might be following this discussion, as I just forwarded a Sierra of similar age from the Recycle Your Bicycle program to our co-op (Rusty Spoke).

Clang

It's an '84 (the '85 High Sierra has a unicrown fork). Most notably yours is missing the setback seatpost with extra QR that's depicted in the panel pic of the catalog.


Those eBay prices sound wildly optimistic. There was an '84 High Sierra that was tempting me in my local market that sat on CL for weeks and it was only $100, maybe $120. Perhaps in CA you can double that if you can find someone with early mtb fever. I never see these Schwinns getting close to Stumpjumper money.

Nubra 

Thanks Clang. I know Ebay is often no measure for "vintage" bikes. Helps to have some input. Anything anyone else can ad would be lovely. Cheers!

TugaDude

Very nice bike. Yes, you can ask whatever price you want. Sold transactions are the only ones that count.

JulesCW 

That thing looks like no one has ever really ridden it! Vintage MTBs are hot right now. That has some neat stuff, but is not at the top of the desirability heap (although it is a good frame). You're in a good locale for selling this -- I'd ask $700 obo, and accept $500--- $600.

Nubra 

Roger that! Thanks

Nubra 

That is exactly what I thought too. There is NO wear on anything, it must have been sitting in a garage. It is spotless (the photos taken with water on it cuase I transported it on the back of my car in a rain storm).
I think I will try the Higher route and see what happens.
Cheers!

SoCaled 

In the last few years in the SoCal market a few dozen of these (high sierras) have come up for sale. Prices have ranged from $50 - $550, somewhat based on condition and year but more on random pricing. I have posted quite a few at sub $200 prices, Clang, quite a few lower than that (I belive a nice one at $25). I don't think any have sold for north of $350, nice examples regularly sit for a few weeks in the $225-275 range but seem to sell. Yours is nice and an 84' and I would guess Santa Cruz is a pretty good market so you might start at at a higher number, but be ready to drop into the $200's to get it sold.

TugaDude

The handlebars alone could probably fetch north of $50 on their own. They have become very popular and nice ones where rust is at a minimum might get a lot more than 50.

If I were in the market for a vintage MTB that I wanted to tinker with and maybe turn into an "all-rounder", the Schwinn High Sierra would be a decent candidate.
Hopefully someone similar is in your area looking for a blank canvas with which to create something unique.

wrk101

eBay dreamland asking prices should never be used as "selling prices". Highest ebay SOLD price in the last year was $270. Next highest was $177.

I use a 50% of ebay pricing for my local sales. So I would be at about $140, after a complete refresh.


EBay obviously has a lot of fees, and in addition, sellers will get a 1099 (income tax form). So I feel I am about even on a local sale at half price.

To those that want to use ebay prices as a guideline for sales, I suggest you get access to Terrapeak, which will give you the last 12 months of ebay sales.


To me, either the 1983 with the biplane fork, or the ~ 1987 with the smoked chrome frame and roller cam brakes are the best High Sierras. In the end, its a Giant made Schwinn, nothing really special about them.


Like pretty much any of the decent MTBs from that time frame, the value of the parts far exceed the value of the entire bike.

zukahn1

+1 I would tend to agree other than the bars nothing real special . I would be more for $200-250 nicely cleaned up presented considering condition yet nowhere near the $500 mark for reference in my market it would be a $100 thrift store yard sale bike.

SoCaled 

Los Angeles Offerup $190 (asking price) - https://offerup.com/item/detail/42de...4d9d61?cid=7.4
Looks to be pretty much stock, except for the obvious neck extension




This one was listed for months multiple times, before this listing below.

Nubra 

Hahaha!
Of course, but reality is that things don't get sold when the asking price has buyers thinking you are silly. Thanks for comment!

Nubra 

Thanks SOCal, reality check is very very helpful. Documentation is especially appreciate.
Cheers,

Nubra 

Many thanks. This is very helpful info. I took a class on how to sell on Ebay at my local city college, and that was enough to get me to give that up.

Most of the bikes I sell here are essentially beater bikes that have been completely rebuilt and have excellent mechanical bones.In other words, look really bad but ride great. Just sold a rebuild bike yesterday and the buyer was "surprised at how well it shifted and braked". I explained the complete rebuild. A lot of people in this area like having a good bike in disguise, and ride there high end bikes on the trail.
I agree, the bars are the coolest piece on this bike. The micro shifters, all metal are excellent too. But I don't part out bikes to make money. Just like to get them where they will be ridden and get a little bit of love. Cheers!

TugaDude

I like the idea of providing good bikes to people who will appreciate them and who don't necessarily care what they look like. Too many bikes are being stolen and if not stolen altogether, then components from them. When I lock up some of my bikes I stand back and look at them and calculate in my head the time it might take to remove some of the components which cannot be protected. Anything with a QR skewer is obviously first to go! Then I calculate the cost of replacing what is easiest to be removed. Finally, I shake my head and walk away, praying as I go.