Yummy Tree Sap

Okay, so here's the deal:

I'm moving (back) to Western New York from Southern California. I bought a bike here, and obviously I'm going to have to either sell it quick or ship it with me.

Regarding selling it, here's why I'm thinking of that: I know very little about my bike, but from what little I've gathered, it is worth more than I paid for it. It's a 19XX Griffen road bike, I'm guessing maybe from around '97 or so. I have no idea what the value of it is, though. I have no idea how I'd find that out. If I sell it, I obviously don't want to get ripped off. It's a pretty nice bike, but it doesn't fit me very well, so maybe I should get rid of it. Does anyone know how I can figure out an approximate value of my bike?

But I do like the bike, and I doubt I can make a sale of the bike within only a week's time. I imagine that shipping a bike is ridiculously expensive, though. To anyone who has shipped a bike in the past, about how much did it cost you and how did you do it?

gr@sshopper

38 bucks ups ground. One of the local shops will pack and ship for 75.

ImaPoser

Sell it for what you paid for it. If you really got a smoking deal on it, you should be able to do that in a weeks time. Yo don't have the time to be worried about getting top dollar for it. I would consider it a huge success to be able to use a bike for free for however long you've had it.

Jaeger

It looks like you have a few different excuses to get a new bike. Moving, doesn't fit well, etc.

I'd sell it to the first offer and use the opportunity to get what you'd really like.

Jaeger

It looks like you have a few different excuses to get a new bike. Moving, doesn't fit well, etc.

I'd sell it to the first offer and use the opportunity to get what you'd really like.

icyclist 

"I bought a bike here, and obviously I'm going to have to either sell it quick or ship it with me."

First, my sincere condolences for the move to New York from Southern California.

Secondly, you want a new bike. Get a new one. And you don't have to sell your bike. Give it away, or donate it to charity, and move on with your life.

I did the reverse this year, shipping a bike I purchased and rode in Manhattan to my home in Los Angeles. About $65 via Fed Ex ground; I had it in three days.

Nachoman

Sell it and get one that fits.

AngryScientist 

depending on your financial status, i agree with icyclist, either sell it off cheaply for a quick sale or donate it. there is no use in keeping a bike that doesnt fit you, it will probably be more of a hassle to deal with than anything when moving cross country.

and also agree on the condolences of moving from sunny CA to snowy western NY

NickDavid

Break down your bike by taking the wheels, bars and seat post/saddle off. Pile them together and get a solid idea of the dimensions.

Go to UPS and purchase the packing materials. Get bubble wrap, peanuts, large box and tape. Bring it back home and pack your bike.

Wrap each item and place in the box. Then fill with peanuts. Go to UPS, ship it yourself and save money.

AngryScientist 

yea, as an alternate to that do the same, but sell or get rid of the frame, it will be the most awkward/largest piece, and is also the piece that doesnt fit you. start with a new frame when you get to ny.

Yummy Tree Sap

The problem with me selling it for what I paid is that $500 won't get me really anything in return. I mean, this was probably a $2,000-3,000 bike when it was new. Griffen apparently hand-built their bikes and did so with some proprietary compound of materials, but that's about all I can find out about the bike. If I'm only going to get $500, I might as well just continue using it.

tagaproject6

Ah, there ya go! You are now rationalizing...once you do that, you may already have made up your mind. Might as well continue using it. Save up for another bike and keep your vintage.