XxHaimBondxX

Worth a 20 minute ride? Don't know anything about the bike.

mdarnton

Is it free? How tall are you? Do you want a runaround or a triathlon bike? We need some data, man.

It's too small for me and I wouldn't pay $1000 for it. So, no.

XxHaimBondxX

Just wanted to gauge if it worth restoring and selling for around $150. Already have tires and tubes. I wouldn't pay $1000 either, but a 20 minute trip, so $3 worth of gas?

wrk101

Basic rule of thumb is don't buy bikes to flip if you know nothing about them, UNLESS they have obvious valuable parts on them. If so, mentally circle those parts, and add up the value. Then compare to what your time is worth.

I pick and resell a lot of stuff, it starts with knowledge. I will occasionally take a flyer on an item that I know nothing about, but it has to scream quality, and require no work. I keep track of my spending and profit on such flyers. If I am not making a good return, I adjust (take less flyers). If I am doing well, I'll take more flyers. They all have a few common characteristics. 1. Cheap, real cheap. 2. Easy to ship (think clothing item or book). 3. Clean. 4. Require no work. A book is a great example, takes zero time and no parts or consumables.

I bought a bike recently that I knew nothing about brand wise. I still can't tell you age or model. But it had Campy seat post, headset, and bottom bracket. Parts made it a no brainer. To paraphrase Jerry McGuire, "it had me at Campy seat post."

I have no problem finding deals on better bikes to keep me busy.

XxHaimBondxX

My time doesn't worth much since it's a hobby, especially in the winter. I could sit and read a book, but I'd rather work and listen to it at the same time.

I definitely don't have a good eye on what makes a particular bike part valuable. Sellers of free or cheap bikes usually don't provide many good pictures or responses, they just want to get rid of it asap.

T-Mar

It's a Raleigh Grand Prix. circa 1973-4. It's an upper entry level model with a hi-tensile frame, steel rims and steel crankset, so it's a pretty heavy bicycle. It still has the OEM Simplex Prestige shift levers but both derailleurs appear to have been replaced. Those levers are pretty flexy and contreibute to vague shifting. Workmanship on these were variable. Some looked great, while the next shipment would look like crap. Condition on this is only fair. I doubt this would clean up to the point where it is a $150 sale, without investing a lot more than tubes, tyres and $3 worth of gas.

ramzilla

Yeah. Way too small. And, the cottered crank. Nope. Not interested.

Kabuki12

I just bought a bike here in SoCal just to get the wheels. I believe it was, before a bad paint job, a Grand Prix. I paid $50 for it but the wheels were worth the 25 minute drive. The bike was not , it will go to the co-op! Grand Prix bikes sell for about $100 when they are rideable and in good shape. It depends what your time is worth. Not a good candidate for a flip IMHO. As was mentioned, the cottered cranks are a big problem for a lot of folks and the early Grand Prix is very heavy. The one I got was a ‘79 or ‘80 so it had a fairly nice crankset and someone had put a set of Super Champion wheels with nice hubs on it, that’s what I went for.

XxHaimBondxX

It does look tiny. Does it even have 700c wheels?

T-Mar

It has the stock wheelset, which was 27 x 1-1/4".

albrt 

In case you are not aware, a Raleigh from this era will have proprietary threading on screwable items. The older the bike, the more items this applies to. This means if you lose a hub nut, you may have to find a special Raleigh hub nut to replace it. This can greatly increase the time and cost to rehab the bike. On the flip side, if you decide not to restore the bike you might be able to cover the purchase price by ebaying nuts and bolts that would not normally be very valuable.

Whatever happens, it will be educational.

XxHaimBondxX

Another free bike and another Raleigh. Longer drive, but bike looks in better shape from what I can tell.

Desert Ryder

I like the green color

sloar 

If I buy a bike to flip I make sure it’s my size incase it doesn’t sell.

wrk101

I always try to do just the opposite so I am not tempted to keep it. I've screwed up and picked up four my size recently...... If one stays, then one in the keeper fleet has to go.

juvela

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do not see how either wheel could be OEM since both are clearly solid axle nutted hubs

the specification for the Gran Prix of this time was with quick release wheels


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T-Mar

You're correct. The Grand Prix was updated to a quick release wheelset for the 1973 model year and that's the earliest this bicycle should be, based on the all upper case logo, which was introduced that year. Thank-you for posting.

zukahn1 

The front wheel looks to be original the back wheel and freewheel are not. Note the rear wheel has a lesser likely newer low flange hub while the front has nicer vintage large flange hub.

roccobike

That looks like a Brooks saddle on the Raleigh GP, yes worth the ride. If you pick up all three of those bikes for very cheap, you might get one nice rider out of it. You'll certainly get an education.

XxHaimBondxX

All these bikes were given away or not responded, so I won't be working on them. I really liked that green one. The lady wanted $15 for a bike rack that includes the two "free" bikes and while I was thinking, she sold it. It would've been a two hour round trip.

I did pick up an Olympian. So far the wheels cleaned up nicely.

juvela

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saddle top on green Raleigh Gran Prix is vinyl

even if a Brooks it is of little value


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himespau 

With gas what it is, a 2 hour round trip for a brooks saddle might have been just about breaking even. With the added resistance of the 2 bikes decreasing your gas mileage, maybe not.