Classic & Vintage - Value of Raleigh 3 Speed?

Is 100$ a reasonable price to pay for a 1971 Raleigh 3 Speed. I know thats difficult to answer based on little information about the bike, but it appears in good condition, not perfect, I would look into it more as a project. Any thoughts?

Depends on if you like the bike and how much of a hurry you are in. How are the tires, hubs serviced, wheels true etc? For a hundred dollars I would not want to have to put any more money or labor into the bike.
I probably would not give more than $ 25.00 myself. I have had good luck at thrift stores, yard sales and police auctions.

If its a superbe has a locking front fork, generator hub all the lights, carrier, chain guard and in good condition sure. I have one that has a broken lock and no hub generator but in nice shape it would go around here for about 10 to 30 bucks.

Depends on your area, which model, and what condition.

$100 is a bit much for even a very nice '71 Sports, unless it's the '68-72 all-gold edition. However, $100 is a good deal for a DL-1 rod-brake model in even so-so condition.

If it has the Brooks B.72 on it, that's a plus.

Let us in to more info!

P.S.: Anyone have a 1966-1969 Raleigh Sports in Burgundy? Been trying to dig one of those up for a while.

-Kurt

Depends on the saddle and condition. I'd certainly pay $100 for a Sports in good condition with a Brooks saddle. Brooks saddles often go for $40-50 used alone. Tires are easily replaced, but paint, rust, chrome, saddle are all big items that can break the deal. Usually the hubs are in working condition (SA hubs are tough as nails). Check for frame issues, bent cranks, bent fork, etc as well. But $100 isn't bad if it's in very good or better shape.

For a DL1, that's a really good price. Got mine for $125 here in DC and have no regrets. $100 for a bike that will last a life time, if properly kept, isn't a bad buy in my opinion.

Here in Boston, used Raleigh 3-speeds Sports models are going for $50-$85 on average, lady's frames on the low end and men's frames on the high (with 23" frames the highest). I paid $50 each for a matching pair of his/hers Sports a couple of months ago (both with B72 saddles) and $125 each for a matching pair of his/hers Superbes back in the fall (both with all original parts and re-keyed locking forks so that a single key works for both). I've sold a bunch of English 3-speeds over the last 8 months in that price range: $50-$85. The market around here is much hotter for steel lugged-frame bikes from the 70s and 80s set up as single speeds.

Neal

You might find one at Goodwill for $10. And, you might win $100,000 playing Lotto. I saw a pair of Raleighs from around 1960 (a man's and women's) that had been cleaned up and tuned by a good bike shop. They were in very good, clean condition, and were running "like new". I think they sold the men's for around $400 and the women's was still available for around $300. They still had working generators and working front and rear lighting sytems...nice bikes.

Is that too much money? Well, a new Trek with a three speed hub will cost about the same, and won't have the ol time "English bike" vibe. And, the Trek will lack a generator and lighting systems.

Bottom line: if a bike shop near me was selling a Raleigh 3 speed that was in excellent running condition for just $100, I'd be at the door when the shop opened.

BeanTownFixed,

There's a nice looking men's Raliegh 3 speed that looks to be a 22-23 inch frame for free at our town dump. I'm not certain what year it is but it looks to be in the 70s and it says "Made in England." The workers kept it off the metal scrap pile and left it in their shed for someone to claim. I'm 100 miles from Logan up I-93 to Concord then I-89 north 1/2 way to Vermont. I'd bring it home but I have no more room. It's been there since October or November.

Bob

In Minneapolis, old basic Raleigh 3-speeds are typically on Craig's list for $50 - $75. I think $100 is high. Keep looking, these are pretty common around here. You should be able to get one in a garage or yard sale for well under $50.

You might find one at Goodwill for $10. And, you might win $100,000 playing Lotto. I saw a pair of Raleighs from around 1960 (a man's and women's) that had been cleaned up and tuned by a good bike shop. They were in very good, clean condition, and were running "like new". I think they sold the men's for around $400 and the women's was still available for around $300. They still had working generators and working front and rear lighting sytems...nice bikes.

Bottom line: if a bike shop near me was selling a Raleigh 3 speed that was in excellent running condition for just $100, I'd be at the door when the shop opened.


I second that! I had to go ebay for my first Raleigh Sports several years ago. Even with the $40 shipping from Wisconsin, it was still cheaper than anything locally. Male 3 speeds on Craigslist here in DC are pretty rare because people buy them up before they ever make it to listing. Most that are in good condition sell in the $120-150 range, especially if they're 23 inch frames. I got mine off ebay for $30 plus $40 shipping (23 inch frame at that). That was a steal by today's standards here in DC.

BeanTownFixed,

There's a nice looking men's Raliegh 3 speed that looks to be a 22-23 inch frame for free at our town dump. I'm not certain what year it is but it looks to be in the 70s and it says "Made in England." The workers kept it off the metal scrap pile and left it in their shed for someone to claim. I'm 100 miles from Logan up I-93 to Concord then I-89 north 1/2 way to Vermont. I'd bring it home but I have no more room. It's been there since October or November.

Bob

You have email, Bob.

-Kurt

Crap, I've bought three Raleigh Sports (all earlier) and a Superbe in the last year, out of pocket, for under 50$ total. Two of the Sports were in exceptional condition. I'd call 100$ high, but one thing about the used bike market, it has tremendous geographical variations. The prices quoted here seem high to me. You have to judge your own area...

This guy is nuts, (http://www.craigslist.org/nby/bik/135854326.html)but not that nuts. In the Bay Area a decent Sports can go for $100 easy, and I wouldn't part with my Superbe for less than $300.

This guy is nuts, (http://www.craigslist.org/nby/bik/135854326.html)but not that nuts. In the Bay Area a decent Sports can go for $100 easy, and I wouldn't part with my Superbe for less than $300.

That dumb-dumb needs to change the model to DL22, and state (for those who don't know), that those Nittos ain't original. Wonder who in the hell would set them to that position either.

-Kurt

P.S.: Anyone have a 1966-1969 Raleigh Sports in Burgundy? Been trying to dig one of those up for a while.

-KurtIt's a 1971, but here's one (http://www.craigslist.org/nby/bik/135854326.html) on Craigslist.


EDIT: oh, never mind... :o

He's also got his B72 saddle confused with a B66; he probably did that when he confused his DL-22 for a 24; the spec list for the Superbe would've listed the saddle as a 66.

I like the rakish angle of the luggage rack though, and spiral routing of the dyno wire around the toptube; maybe it turns the toptube into a giant primary coil and supplies more power. :p

$100 is a bit much for even a very nice '71 Sports, unless it's the '68-72 all-gold edition. -Kurt

Like this one? (http://cgi.ebay.com/1970-Raleigh-Sports-3-speed_W0QQitemZ7221148197QQcategoryZ42314QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

http://i19.ebayimg.com/03/i/06/4e/c1/48_12.JPG

Like this one? (http://cgi.ebay.com/1970-Raleigh-Sports-3-speed_W0QQitemZ7221148197QQcategoryZ42314QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

http://i19.ebayimg.com/03/i/06/4e/c1/48_12.JPG

Yep. The last C-8 women's all-gold edition to hit the 'Bay - like this one - fetched $355. We'll see what this one goes for.

-Kurt

Excuse me - $337, minus the Prestube rack.

-Kurt

I found this 1975 Sports at a garage sale while out on a ride. I hurried home as fast as I could so I could go back and pick it up. It's my parade bike - too small for me to go very far on it - and it rides as good as it looks.