Notices
Classic and Vintage Bicycles: Whats it Worth? Appraisals. Use this subforum for all requests as to "How much is this vintage bike worth?"Do NOT try to sell it in here, use the Marketplaces.

Selling All my bikes and accessories

Old 10-01-21, 03:34 PM
  #1  
vtchuck
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
vtchuck's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: New Hampshire
Posts: 607

Bikes: Romic

Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 127 Post(s)
Liked 27 Times in 21 Posts
Selling All my bikes and accessories

I'm a long time user, but its been a few years since I posted. I have reached a crossroads in life and have decided its time to sell or donate all my nearly 50 years of bikes and accessories.
I'm 70, my knees and back are shot and I really don't trust my balance and vision on the road. We down sized 2 years ago and I sold all but 5 of my bikes. We are looking at another move
to a Senior Living Community and we will have drastically reduced storage. My kids don't want or need my bikes ( I built up and gave them all bikes over the years).

Money is not the issue. These bikes gave me pleasure and fun over the years...they owe me nothing. but I can't quite bring myself to dump them at Goodwill. I really would like them
to go to people who would appreciate vintage rides. So I'm looking for suggestions as to how to begin the process. Sell bikes here or CL or eBay... I've done all 3 before. Or try to find a local shop
to sell on commission? What would you do in my shoes?

And please, this is not a "woe is me" pity post. In many ways, moving on from all this stuff is liberating.

TIA for your ideas
vtchuck is offline  
Likes For vtchuck:
Old 10-01-21, 03:45 PM
  #2  
cyclezen
OM boy
 
cyclezen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Goleta CA
Posts: 4,340

Bikes: a bunch

Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 502 Post(s)
Liked 623 Times in 425 Posts
Bummer ! Chuck
Sorry that riding is no longer in the cards; but good to move on to something which might be good, now.
My own thoughts have skimmed over the idea to start unloading some of my many bikes... I don;t get to ride them all as much as they deserve, nor have the time and attention to keep them in top shape...
so... when I decide to 'sell', I'll use whatever avenues are available... Bike forums might be a consideration for sure... ebay - certainly especially if you take time to make an accurate listing of each bike. I would hesitate to just 'sell' at some random price, because 'worth' is often not realized if the item comes cheaply... Of course, what it's worth to you might not be what the general market holds... CL - same story - most viewers may not know the 'significance' if a particular bike, and the 'noise' to signal ratio of callers may be higher...
In any case, I'm sure the C & V crowd would love to see a few pics of your bikes, if you have time and inclination to post them...
ride on (or whatever makes you happy)
Yuri
cyclezen is offline  
Likes For cyclezen:
Old 10-01-21, 03:46 PM
  #3  
nlerner
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 17,112
Mentioned: 479 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3780 Post(s)
Liked 6,528 Times in 2,568 Posts
Sounds like you’ve had many good years of riding, Chuck! Is there a coop or the like near you? I know the former proprietor of Old Spokes Home in Burlington and can put you in touch if that might help.
nlerner is offline  
Old 10-01-21, 03:57 PM
  #4  
francophile 
PM me your cotters
 
francophile's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: ATL
Posts: 3,916
Mentioned: 80 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1137 Post(s)
Liked 588 Times in 420 Posts
It's always liberating to purge, frankly. I feel amazing after selling 80% of my bikes. I still have a dozen bare frames in the attic, 8 frames in the shop, and 6 complete bikes, but I used to have 5x that

Anyway, some suggestions since that's what you're asking for.

You may as well make some money on this. But you shouldn't need to do that at any significant extra effort. At least that's how I felt when parting with several of mine. I wasn't looking to make a mint. I sold most of my stuff at about 60% of the value to people I knew would enjoy it, and selling at that discounted price meant the buyer could afford having my LBS professionally pack and ship the bike.

What I'd tell you is this, three possible options which may help, and a last suggestion regarding donations:
  • Hunt for a local shop that has experience with breaking vintage bikes down, packing, and shipping - should be a vintage-friendly shop, they're getting harder to find, modern bike shops don't give a damn and can't be trusted. Let them know what you're doing. Ask two questions: First, "Do you think it's worth selling in the shop on commission?" (normal commission is 20-40% in my neck of the woods), Second, "Are you experienced in breaking down, packing and shipping, and if so, how much do you charge?" (my LBS charges $80-150 depending on size and whether it's just a F&F or a complete bike, if that helps? I can provide references of BF'ers who've gone through this process with me and my LBS if that helps also).
  • See if you can find a broker who specializes in vintage. I have someone an hour south of me in Macon, GA. She's listed a couple of people's collections and helped me turn an $800 two-bike purchase into over $6k in sales. I think I paid her 35% as her fee. It was still worth it, I walked away with over $3k in profit if memory serves.
  • Final option would be seeking an antique auction house. It's really hit or miss what you're going to get, though. There's an auction house in upstate NY, Copake to be specific, that does a yearly auction that's vintage heavy and would be the perfect place to list. They just wrapped up their last yearly auction in June. The difficulty would be getting the bikes to the auction house. I can give you more information on this if you want it?
While I find it commendable to donate to Goodwill, please don't. The chances of things getting damage or landing in a condition which will leave the bikes trashed or thrashed or in incapable hands are high, and I think it outweighs the job-creating aspect of places like that. Salvation Army, and similar others I wouldn't recommend either. If anything, if you're going to donate to a non-profit, please find a Co-op near you that sells bikes to keep it alive so other people are able to go on cycling. Donations are the life blood for those places, and selling bikes is a great way for them to come up with funds to stay afloat, you'll also get a tax writeoff from most.
__________________
███████████████

francophile is offline  
Likes For francophile:
Old 10-01-21, 04:02 PM
  #5  
repechage
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 20,315
Mentioned: 129 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3447 Post(s)
Liked 2,785 Times in 1,967 Posts
Bike co-op within driving distance?
If a non profit, tax deduction too
repechage is offline  
Old 10-01-21, 04:04 PM
  #6  
francophile 
PM me your cotters
 
francophile's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: ATL
Posts: 3,916
Mentioned: 80 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1137 Post(s)
Liked 588 Times in 420 Posts
Actually, posting about that auction option.

More info on that whole thing: https://www.copakeauction.com/bicycles-splash/bicycles/

They just had the 29th annual action. Here's info on it. https://www.copakeauction.com/auctio...on-2021-06-26/

Apparently there's another auction event coming up in November: https://www.copakeauction.com/auctio...on-2021-11-13/

I dunno if you can still get your collection in for the November auction, but ... if you have a way to transport, it may be worth you while to contact them to see what you need to do to get your lot in the door. Others may be able to speak to the experience - I've never listed anything with an auction house.
__________________
███████████████

francophile is offline  
Old 10-01-21, 04:12 PM
  #7  
Spaghetti Legs 
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Central Virginia
Posts: 5,081

Bikes: Numerous

Mentioned: 150 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1671 Post(s)
Liked 3,016 Times in 902 Posts
I strongly support your desire to ensure an appreciative home for your bikes. I would suggest selling here if you're OK with dealing with the shipping. Another option is bringing everything to a nearby get together of like minded people (or asking someone else to do so), asking prices that would ensure a strong possibility of everything getting bought. French Fender Day comes to mind, although I don’t know if that’s happening this year; I think not as it should normally be some time soon.

Another thought: Eroica California has a charity auction every year. Next year’s ride is 30 April. You could donate for that - usually benefits a Central Caofornia charity.
__________________
N = '96 Colnago C40, '04 Wilier Alpe D'Huez, '10 Colnago EPS, '85 Merckx Pro, '89 Merckx Century, '86 Tommasini Professional, '04 Teschner Aero FX Pro, '05 Alan Carbon Cross, '86 De Rosa Professional, '82 Colnago Super, '95 Gios Compact Pro, '95 Carrera Zeus, '84 Basso Gap, ‘89 Cinelli Supercorsa, ‘83 Bianchi Specialissima, ‘VO Randonneur, Ritchey Breakaway Steel, '84 Paletti Super Prestige, Heron Randonneur

Spaghetti Legs is offline  
Old 10-01-21, 04:13 PM
  #8  
Frank S
Senior Member
 
Frank S's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: Olympic Peninsula, USA
Posts: 55
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 24 Post(s)
Liked 18 Times in 16 Posts
I'm not there yet, but I know the feeling. I have many telescopes, that I would give away, but shipping is prohibitive. Bicycles might be easier.

Maybe donate them to a co-op? They would understand their value; and possibly get them into the hands of people who would appreciate them.

Good luck!
Frank S is offline  
Old 10-01-21, 04:26 PM
  #9  
gugie 
Bike Butcher of Portland
 
gugie's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 11,627

Bikes: It's complicated.

Mentioned: 1299 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4660 Post(s)
Liked 5,740 Times in 2,261 Posts
I think my response would depend on what kind of bikes you have. Good quality, mid-range production bikes? Exotic Italian racers? Mid-50's French constructeurs?

Please list, looks like it's only 5 bikes, pix would be even better.

We're all headed in your direction whether we want to admit it or not, you're showing your love of vintage bicycles and wanting them to get to the right people.

edit: just looked at your signature, the 5 bikes are listed already!

Falcon SR 76, Romic, Trek 660, GT Talera, Shogun 500 Touring

I'd go with the co-op donation if I were you. Neal might help out with connecting you with someone in Vermont.
__________________
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
gugie is offline  
Old 10-01-21, 04:52 PM
  #10  
clubman 
Phyllo-buster
 
clubman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 8,828

Bikes: roadsters, club bikes, fixed and classic

Mentioned: 133 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2286 Post(s)
Liked 2,024 Times in 1,243 Posts
But size matters!
clubman is offline  
Old 10-01-21, 05:10 PM
  #11  
iab
Senior Member
 
iab's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: NW Burbs, Chicago
Posts: 12,138
Mentioned: 200 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2986 Post(s)
Liked 3,670 Times in 1,381 Posts
I have given this some thought lately. I have the same mind as you, I do not need to get a nickel back on what I have spent. I have gotten back far more than my money's worth. I would add a caveat - I do not the work to get rid of my stuff to be greater than the work it took to acquire it. I want an easy button.

On the other hand, saying something is free can bring out some undesirables. So my initial plan is ask friends and family if they want any of it for free. They will all say no thank you. Then I'll go to bike acquaintances like here or CR offer it up at a price, or best offer. The expectation of payment is there, but I can be dickered down to a song. If that doesn't work, I don't know. It now has become work. I hate work.
iab is offline  
Old 10-01-21, 05:47 PM
  #12  
thumpism 
Bikes are okay, I guess.
 
thumpism's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Posts: 9,128

Bikes: Waterford Paramount Touring, Giant CFM-2, Raleigh Sports 3-speeds in M23 & L23, Schwinn Cimarron oddball build, Marin Palisades Trail dropbar conversion, Nishiki Cresta GT

Mentioned: 69 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2647 Post(s)
Liked 2,445 Times in 1,557 Posts
I need to consider doing the same, but I need a 24"/62cm touring bike before I give up completely. That may wind up being the only bike I keep, except maybe a stepthrough 3-speed and one or two others. Definitely need to get rid of the boxes of junk parts. I expect we'll be in this house no more than ten years before downsizing and getting a senior spot. I don't envy you having to unload.
thumpism is offline  
Old 10-01-21, 06:26 PM
  #13  
3alarmer 
Friendship is Magic
 
3alarmer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 22,897

Bikes: old ones

Mentioned: 304 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 26212 Post(s)
Liked 10,179 Times in 7,062 Posts
.
...I used to have a pretty high level position in the co-op management here. From that experience, do not assume that any co=op you give something to as a donation will automatically know the value of it, and do not assume that it will then go to an appreciative user. The levels of expertise on, and interest in, classic steel rides varies from place to place. A lot of the stuff I see get priced low here now at the co-op goes out the door to people who are parting them out. It's just a fact of life.

If that doesn't bother you, (and I think the parts eventually end up with appreciative users, at higher prices,) then just giving them away is an easy option.

People do buy stuff on here, too. But you do have to ship it. I'm trying to get motivated to downsize, too. I certainly don't expect to make a profit on any of them. But they are all my size, (58-60cm), and there's a limit on what I can list on CL in the same size, at the same time, and expect not to end up dealing with the "would you take ?" guys. They are wearisome to deal with.
3alarmer is offline  
Old 10-01-21, 06:44 PM
  #14  
TiHabanero
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,429
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1724 Post(s)
Liked 1,346 Times in 703 Posts
Try all avenues of resell simultaneously.
A few years ago a fella came into the shop and inquired if anyone was into vintage bikes. Everyone pointed to me. Turned out he had a nice Razesa that he did not want to take with him to the other side of the country and gave it to me. I enjoyed it for a few years, then sold it to a fella at the cost of cables, housing, and tires I put on it. It was a starter vintage bike for this guy.
If unsuccessful then maybe a co-op, but I am not a fan of them as I have seen what goes on in some of the local ones here. Hopefully they operate differently where you are.
TiHabanero is offline  
Old 10-01-21, 06:44 PM
  #15  
tendency 
Full Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 469
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 236 Post(s)
Liked 170 Times in 104 Posts
Originally Posted by Frank S
I'm not there yet, but I know the feeling. I have many telescopes, that I would give away, but shipping is prohibitive. Bicycles might be easier.

Maybe donate them to a co-op? They would understand their value; and possibly get them into the hands of people who would appreciate them.

Good luck!
telescopes you'd give away you say? like .. what kinds of 'scopes? i've actually been wanting to get a back into astronomy.
tendency is offline  
Likes For tendency:
Old 10-01-21, 06:44 PM
  #16  
randyjawa 
Senior Member
 
randyjawa's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada - burrrrr!
Posts: 11,671

Bikes: 1958 Rabeneick 120D, 1968 Legnano Gran Premio, 196? Torpado Professional, 2000 Marinoni Piuma

Mentioned: 210 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1370 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1,743 Times in 934 Posts
As I age and have also lost storage space, I feel you. I have done this, reduced the stable size, three times now. I have been fortunate enough to locate shops that deal in vintage bicycles and sell the lot of them, each time, in a group. Shipping was involved but I did feel good knowing that they were going somewhere where they would be appreciated and looked after. I don't get top dollar but I do make a decent profit.

So, look up shops in your city or in other cities close by and see what the market has to offer. You might be surprised.

My last dump included a 1973 PX10, a 1969 Atala professional, a lovely 199? Cyclops and four others that no longer come to mind. I do regret having to let such great bikes go but the act did make room for more to come my way. Today, I have four really nice vintage road bikes and, sadly, my body does not work well enough for me to ride any of them any more. Boo hoo.
__________________
"98% of the bikes I buy are projects".
randyjawa is offline  
Old 10-01-21, 06:57 PM
  #17  
ascherer 
Senior Member
 
ascherer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Manhattan & Woodstock NY
Posts: 2,758

Bikes: 1987 Mercian Pro, 1985 Shogun 500, early '70s Falcon San Remo, 1972 Peugeot PX-10, 1972 Schwinn Paramount P13-9, 1971 Raleigh International, 1971 Peugeot PX-10, 1970 Raleigh Professional Mk1

Mentioned: 107 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 925 Post(s)
Liked 2,809 Times in 954 Posts
Chuck, your bikes look to be about my size and given that I've now got more space in our new Hudson Valley place I might want to talk. Where in VT are you? PM if you prefer.

Cheers, Andy
__________________
1987 Mercian Pro, 1985 Shogun 500, 197? Falcon San Remo, 1972 Peugeot PX-10, 1972 Schwinn Paramount P13-9, 1971 Peugeot PX-10, 1971 Raleigh International, 1970 Raleigh Professional Mark I
Curator/Team Mechanic: 2016 Dawes Streetfighter, 1984 Lotus Eclair, 1975 Motobecane Jubile Mixte, 1974 Raleigh Sports, 1973 Free Spirit Ted Williams, 1972 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Philips Sport





ascherer is offline  
Old 10-01-21, 07:03 PM
  #18  
francophile 
PM me your cotters
 
francophile's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: ATL
Posts: 3,916
Mentioned: 80 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1137 Post(s)
Liked 588 Times in 420 Posts
Oh wow. Someone is like 6'9"
__________________
███████████████

francophile is offline  
Old 10-01-21, 07:15 PM
  #19  
clubman 
Phyllo-buster
 
clubman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 8,828

Bikes: roadsters, club bikes, fixed and classic

Mentioned: 133 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2286 Post(s)
Liked 2,024 Times in 1,243 Posts
Very nice bikes.
clubman is offline  
Old 10-01-21, 07:15 PM
  #20  
obrentharris 
Senior Member
 
obrentharris's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Point Reyes Station, California
Posts: 4,703

Bikes: Indeed!

Mentioned: 92 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1499 Post(s)
Liked 3,400 Times in 1,119 Posts
Giving things away, if you can find the right person, is quite gratifying if you don't really need the money.

An old friend gave my son-in-law his first road bike, a Schwinn Prologue: That was almost twenty years ago. It started my Son-in-law on what appears to be a lifetime pastime of cycling.

I gave away a beautiful old Belgian tandem to the Marin Museum of Bicycling. I get a very nice feeling every time I see it there on display. I also gave them a Breezer mountain bike after restoring it to original spec. They gave it to their pro-bono video person as an expression of their gratitude. Makes me feel good every time I think of it.

The rub is finding the right recipient!
Brent
obrentharris is offline  
Likes For obrentharris:
Old 10-01-21, 07:49 PM
  #21  
James1964 
Full Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2020
Posts: 340
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 106 Post(s)
Liked 150 Times in 95 Posts
I agree with the above comment that not all co-ops appreciate vintage bikes or know what to do with them. At the co-op near me, the guys who work there are very nice and well intentioned - and perhaps they know the local market better than me - but at times I'm surprised by what they do with 1960s and 1970s vintage bikes. Typically, they convert the drive train into fixed gear or 1x, replace the drop bars with straight ones, and install plastic platform pedals.
James1964 is offline  
Old 10-01-21, 07:55 PM
  #22  
Classtime 
Senior Member
 
Classtime's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 4,663

Bikes: 82 Medici, 2011 Richard Sachs, 2011 Milwaukee Road

Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1918 Post(s)
Liked 1,940 Times in 1,079 Posts
Accessories? Like what? I just started at a new school and looking to sponsor a cycling club. I have a nice repair stand in the class room and will be collecting scrounging some tools as we go. I bet there is a high school MTB team or such in your region who would love your non 6' 9" stuff.

Edit: here is a start https://vmba.org/vt-youth-cycling-league/
__________________
I don't do: disks, tubeless, e-shifting, or bead head nymphs.

Last edited by Classtime; 10-01-21 at 08:05 PM. Reason: New info
Classtime is offline  
Old 10-01-21, 07:57 PM
  #23  
ofajen
Cheerfully low end
 
ofajen's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,959
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 641 Post(s)
Liked 1,034 Times in 659 Posts
I have a nice Witcomb USA frame that I would probably take to a local shop and let them hang it up and see if someone wants it for a bargain price, as long as they will actually use it.

The rest I would donate to our co-op.

Otto
ofajen is offline  
Old 10-01-21, 08:03 PM
  #24  
francophile 
PM me your cotters
 
francophile's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: ATL
Posts: 3,916
Mentioned: 80 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1137 Post(s)
Liked 588 Times in 420 Posts
Brent brings up a good point.

Even if you just give something at-cost it fells pretty damn good. Did that recently with @hazetguy on a Gitane TdF ( https://www.bikeforums.net/18711750-post230.html ). I got an insane deal on an all-original pristine survivor, gave it to him at-cost. I probably could've sold for twice as much, but reality is, I know he's going to ride the hell out of it and it's good for miles of smiles. I love the early 70s TdF/SC, so totally underrated. Already have two, didn't need the third.

Same with this Motobecane Grand Touring ( https://www.bikeforums.net/19596787-post31.html ). Friend loved it. Knew he'd enjoy it. Gave it to him at break-even cost of parts. Even after all the work in that thread.
__________________
███████████████

francophile is offline  
Old 10-01-21, 09:41 PM
  #25  
ThermionicScott 
working on my sandal tan
 
ThermionicScott's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: CID
Posts: 22,620

Bikes: 1991 Bianchi Eros, 1964 Armstrong, 1988 Diamondback Ascent, 1988 Bianchi Premio, 1987 Bianchi Sport SX, 1980s Raleigh mixte (hers), All-City Space Horse (hers)

Mentioned: 98 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3868 Post(s)
Liked 2,559 Times in 1,574 Posts
Originally Posted by James1964
I agree with the above comment that not all co-ops appreciate vintage bikes or know what to do with them. At the co-op near me, the guys who work there are very nice and well intentioned - and perhaps they know the local market better than me - but at times I'm surprised by what they do with 1960s and 1970s vintage bikes. Typically, they convert the drive train into fixed gear or 1x, replace the drop bars with straight ones, and install plastic platform pedals.
They know what they're doing, alright. Converting clunky old 10-speeds into "city bikes" by swapping to flat bars and simplifying the gearing makes for bikes that are easier to ride around town. I did a lot of those when I spent more time volunteering at co-ops.
__________________
Originally Posted by chandltp
There's no such thing as too far.. just lack of time
Originally Posted by noglider
People in this forum are not typical.
RUSA #7498
ThermionicScott is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.