RoadWearier

I'm going to look at this bike this weekend. The owner can't tell me much about it. Assuming it's in rideable condition, what should I pay for it?

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/480673223406121/?ref=facebook_story_share

cycleheimer

It looks like it might be a Nomade, which would be a basic entry-level bike. Prices differ from place to place, but $75+/- in my area. They also sit on Craig's List for awhile in my neck of the woods. New tires and tubes can run another $60 +/-, if needed. Make sure you are OK with a somewhat heavy entry-level bike and the type of ride quality they offer. The nicer Motobecanes are the Grand Touring and the models above it.

RoadWearier

Thanks! I doubt they will go $75 but $300 seemed pretty crazy to me

cycleheimer

$300 seems board certifiable crazy to me. I see crazy prices on this stuff all the time. They get reposted for months on CL and years sometimes. Real crazy. If somebody else buys it, better them than you. At a garage sale that would probably go for $25.

zukahn1

It is a 1980 give or take grand tour nice basic lesser mid level bike. Easy to spot be french which Japan and french components.

cycleheimer

The stamped rear dropouts and bolted rear axle make it look lower in the hierarchy than a GT. The DT shifters could have been swapped out for stem shifters, as could be the case with the basic saddle and basic steel seat post. The OP can do better for his money. A GT in nice condition with good tires could maybe bring $150+/-. Prices for bikes that actually sell vary by market, but it's getting more expensive to replace tires and parts. The super discount suppliers are gone, and that's a game changer. $6 Kenda Tires from Niagara and $8 Pasellas from the old Nashbar are a thing of the past. Bikesmiths for 27" tires isn't too bad. 2 tires, 2 tubes, 2 rim liners for about $30 plus S&H. Still better now to get a bike with 700c wheels if you do alot of riding. More variations in tire widths, and just more choices and availability in general.

TugaDude

I can't read what it says on the top tube, but that is the model name of the bike. It might be a Nomade, or a Mirage.

Here's the catalogs. Maybe you can find it in there.

https://bulgier.net/pics/bike/Catalogs/Motobecane/

If the bike is 1020 or 2040 steel, then it is probably going to weigh around 29 lbs. or so. Depending on what you want the bike for that might be heavy, but if you are going to run errands on it, not so much. If it has steel rims, and it might, then stopping is not the greatest especially in wet weather. If you do buy it, change the wheels for alloy if you can and if not, invest in some better brake pads. There are a variety available now that will improve braking for you.

I wouldn't pay $300.00 for it, not even half that. But I think $75.00 might be too low in many markets. Bikes have increased in cost and even the bottom dwellers have increased.

wrk101

Regardless, $300 is crack pipe crazy land. I would not waste your time with such a seller. Aim higher, at a lower price. $200 should be able to buy you a much nicer road bike in the Chattanooga market.

Take a look at the non-drive side crank arm. Then look at the drive side arm. This is a parts bin disaster.

A quick glance at C/L Chattanooga shows a beautiful 1987 Schwinn Circuit for $325. Not deal of the century price, but realistic and its been available for a while (which means make an offer to me).

There is also a nice Cannondale SR500 for $250. Again, not a run now price, but compared to the Motobecane, its a deal of the century!

Going to FB marketplace, there's a beautiful Focus, full Shimano 600, for $300.

Modern steel Lemonds: $200.

cycleheimer

There is also a Schwinn World Tour with new tires that is supposedly in "excellent" condition. It is for about a 5'11" + rider, but is a somewhat comparable bike to the Moto. It is listed for $70. My $75+/- "guesstimate" isn't that wild.

guy1138

That is a HUGE frame, definitely for a much taller rider, I'd say 6'3 or above!

cycleheimer

You would be surprised, but the height range for that bike could dip below 6'. That is why it is so important to get a proper fitting. I was just posting it, though, to show what $70 could buy. The used bike prices I usually see are ridiculous, and you don't see many better quality bikes, or bikes in top working condition. I usually find great deals on decent quality bikes, but the tires are usually dry rotted and they need a cleaning and overhaul. I am more concerned about the condition of the paint and metal surfaces. Back in the.day, my hot rodding buddies bought Chevelles, Cameron and Firebirds. The were interested in the condition of the body, paint and interior. Blown engines meant a super cheap price.

SurferRosa

Very little. I'm almost certain that's a replacement fork, which probably means it was in a front-end collision, which may mean the front triangle has been compromised. The rest of it is a low level franken Moto: stem shifters, turkey levers, etc. I can't even tell if it's lugged. May be worth $50 if it works.