Classic & Vintage - Am I missing something?

In what world is a Motobecane Mirage (http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-MOTOBECANE-Road-Bike-1970s-SUPER-NICE-no-res_W0QQitemZ350049659874QQihZ022QQcategoryZ98084QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) worth $300 and counting?

For comparison's sake, here's a Grand Jubile (http://cgi.ebay.com/70s-Motobecane-Grand-Jubile_W0QQitemZ300216958260QQihZ020QQcategoryZ98084QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem), same size, closes the same day, for reasonable money.

To use the technical parlance, WTF?

WTF is right! Weird.

Some people just like saying "Motobecane," rhyming with "more of pecan."

Nostalgia? The branded hoods, saddle, cranks and seatpost are all pretty sweet. Integrated bar covering and hoods, too - now that's something you don't see every day. Free shipping to boot.

But, no, I'd never pay that.

Nostalgia? The branded hoods, saddle, cranks and seatpost are all pretty sweet. Integrated bar covering and hoods, too - now that's something you don't see every day. Free shipping to boot.

But, no, I'd never pay that.

Maybe I should contact the buyer and see if they want to buy a NOS water bottle to go with it. :D

Unbelievable! Especially considering the Moto Jubilee has a Huret Jubilee RD which is worth some cash by itself! I can't believe someone would pay that for a Mirage......Must be the nostalgia factor.

Integrated bar covering and hoods, too - now that's something you don't see every day.

Likely the only thing driving that price in the first place.

-Kurt

I'll go with the black and red paint - wasn't one of the top of the line models known for that paint scheme?

I'll go with the black and red paint - wasn't one of the top of the line models known for that paint scheme?

http://www.classicrendezvous.com/France/bicycles/Motobecane/Motob_moos.htm

Grand Record. Of course, this isn't one.

I'll go with the black and red paint - wasn't one of the top of the line models known for that paint scheme?Same color scheme as the Grand Record.

But that silver and red color scheme is more attractive, in my view.

While the Mirage appears to be extremely well-preserved, it's still just high carbon steel-- not nearly the bike that Grand Jubile is. Even if that Grand Jubile wasn't being auctioned as well, $300+ is an astounding price for a Mirage. With that Grand Jubile, it makes almost no sense. The only thing I can figure is that it's a perfect specimen of somebody's first bike for two or more bidders who can afford to pay more than it's worth.

I can only assume that people are looking at the BIN price he listed in the description and are thinking that it's some kind of indicator of actual value.

Also knock $60-70 off if the free shipping is factored in.

The listing is well done, good photos and all and free shipping helps.

I'm guessing that Nostalgia has nothing to do with it, as I'd bet that the buyer is a 20 year old college kid who wasn't even born when this bike was made. Around here, all the young kids seem to really prize the old Panasonics, Peugeots, Motobecanes, etc. It may be a nostalgia, but a nostalgia for a time that they never experienced. I'd say that it has more to do with the name, good photos, nice headbadge, etc.

A friend and I were doing repairs at the local community bike workshop llast night and one of kids there admired my friend's Motorola Merckx. He walked back to his girlfriend's workstand and said, "That dude's bike is like 20 years old, and has graphics that are like Soul Train!"

??????????????????

I'm selling a Super Mirage for a coworker and the sweet spot is $150 with a Zefal frame pump! It's also polished up unlike the Ebay example. I can never understand how people can list bikes with such dingy alloy parts.

I had been thinking I had gotten beat by paying $35 for a Super Mirage. Makes me feel better.

You have to give some credit to the seller for a great ad too! Good, clear and plentiful pics of a bike that looks to be in great (found in a barn) shape. Plus documentation!! To the folks "in the know" it's not a bargain; but to the general bike buying public it looks like gold in the sun.........

So figuring in shipping AND insurance, the Mirage still sold for $9.46 more than the Jubile. Paint's probably better on the Mirage, but still...

Likely the only thing driving that price in the first place.

-Kurt

I got a set of these that I'll let go for half of this bike's closing price, shipping included!

I got a set of these that I'll let go for half of this bike's closing price, shipping included!

Ok. $25 bucks sound good? :lol:

-Kurt

Look at the buyer's feedback: He's been on a vintage buying-spree for the past few weeks. I'd guess he's either someone very well-heeled or else he's buying this stuff to resell in Europe or Japan. 'Probably the latter.

Probably the type of person who bought the Moto, was the same as the ones who sent the
price of our muscle cars, which we used to pick up for a song, out into the ionosphere.

Ijust had a Super Mirage given to me, and purchased a Mirage in nearly perfect condition last year for 35 bucks. Thought it was a little high for a bike of that caliber, but the condition was so good I couldn,t pass it up. I doubt I could get 50 for it where I live.

In what world is a Motobecane Mirage (http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-MOTOBECANE-Road-Bike-1970s-SUPER-NICE-no-res_W0QQitemZ350049659874QQihZ022QQcategoryZ98084QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) worth $300 and counting?

Comes with vintage pie plate

The listing is well done, good photos and all and free shipping helps.

+1 shows what a well writen add with great photos will do . It does look to be in realy nice shape. I like the bar wrap . The price includes shiping and that counts, to the east coast it would factor in like $70 to the final out of pocket cost.oh and I got $200 for this one
http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q254/tolfan/moto%20mirage/HPIM0863.jpg

Look at the buyer's feedback: He's been on a vintage buying-spree for the past few weeks. I'd guess he's either someone very well-heeled or else he's buying this stuff to resell in Europe or Japan. 'Probably the latter.


I get a kick out of reading the ridicule on this post when a '79 Moto goes for 300 US dollars. Enjoy those cheap deals, if the bike market goes the same way as the vintage car market, then you can hear things like my former employer being offered 15000 US dollars for his pristine condition, (original owner, always garaged, low milage) copper/tan tutone 1974 AMC Ambasador.