1979Belmont

I used this bike as my only transportation for about 5 years beginning in 1979; after that occasional use. Always stored indoors. Some damage to decals from bike lock. All parts original except tires and brake pads. I want to sell it and am confused by the prices on Ebay, ranging from $1200 to $90. I don't know what buyers are looking for. There is one for sale there that looks a lot like mine selling for $765. I have my original receipt which contains the serial number. One of the decals states "1977 Tour de France winner/Team Raleigh World Road Champion 1978". Any advice would be appreciated.

HMJ

FWIW: I have ladies' mixte version of this bike with the original Brooks CR3 saddle and fully rehabbed. Even found a replacement Compe-V top normal FD. I had asked $150 for it and received zero interest.

YMMV. Good luck.


Yeah, lousy pic. I have better ones but I can't find them

xiaoman1 

OP,
Listed prices often are very misleading and optimistic on the sellers end. , To better understand the real value, take a look at the sold prices....this will give a far better idea of what similar bikes have sold for.
Best, Ben

3alarmer

.
...I don't know about in 1979, but Raleigh recycled the name "Record Ace" a number of times. One time, at least, it was a pretty good bike. Another time, IIRC, it was near the bottom of their offerings. The color scheme, as such, tells very little. Part of the marketing strategy in the '70's was to make the boom bikes look like the best offerings by the company. Peugeot did the same thing.

For any sort of appraisal here, you're gonna need to add some decent pictures of yours. Start an album. Hope someone with more history transfers you photos to this thread. They need to be drive side photos. Generally, bicycle buyers have read so much verbiage about disc brakes, e-bikes, and DF aero frames, that they're not willing to invest much in these bicycles. It's kinda crazy, but right now that's how it is.

juvela

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with this date it may be a machine assembled at the Enid Oklahoma facility

HMJ photo a good example of what they looked like

put together two or three new ones out the box

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1979 U.S. market catalogue page courtesy of The Headbadge


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zukahn1 

The Ace is fairly low end model even in very good original condition $150-200. Considering your history with the bike if it's still a good rider I would suggest you consider keeping it theses late 70's Nottingham built frames while lower end are great riders,

1979Belmont

Looks almost exactly like my bike.

1979Belmont

Good advice thanks!

1979Belmont

Thanks 3alarmer. Good history. I am new so I cant post a picture yet.

1979Belmont

The record ace here looks just like my bike except my handlebars are different. Thanks so much for sending.

zukahn1 

I believe these were offered with either drop bars or upright wing bars OEM in some markets. So with the difference it is likely mostly original.

1979Belmont

Oh interesting. I did not replace the handlebars myself, but the shop may have asked me which handlebar I wanted. I do prefer the upright bc it was a city bike for me.

wrk101

Prices on ebay? That sounds suspiciously like ASKING prices. Sellers can and do ask crazy prices. Sold prices are the only useful information on ebay.

Kabuki12

Yes , as was suggested , look at completed transactions(sold). A lot of asking prices are overly optimistic in today’s depressed market. I just sold my Raleigh Competition GS in very good condition . My asking price was the lowest of all similar bikes. Mine was the newest listing and sold for near asking price. One must be realistic and serious about moving the bike along to a new , happy owner.

branko_76 

The value is much closer to $90