Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - Classic Vintage bikes, price on models, line genealogy

Hi, where can I find general price ranges of classic vintage bikes on models and makes. For example I may be purchasing a Univega (model currently not known yet, I think it is a grey SupraSport) from a friend, whose back wheel is bent (a freshmen ran into the back), which I am thinking of converting it into a fixie. However, if I find that the parts and components used for the bike are quality parts, I may just as well restore it.

I have looked at the vintage bike database on www.oldroads.com , stickied in this thread catagory, but I could not find much on Univega and the price. I also tried search for my Centurion Le Man, and came up with nothing. I do know that used price ranges can vary much depending on conditions of various parts (including if the frame was damaged in any way).

In summary, I am looking for something that can give me Make, Model, price range guide, and possibly Make genealogy, and parts used.

This link http://www.sheldonbrown.com/centurion/ is pretty much what I am looking for, minus price guide. Extensive list of parts and components, genealogy line of where various models are placed, material used.

I am looking to buy the used Univega from my friend soon, and I want to give him a fair price for the bike.

there really isn't a single good source for information on vintage bikes out there. Searching the archives of BikeForums may be your best bet, or see if there have been any recent ebay auctions for the same or similar model. I know there have been a number of good threads regarding how to spot a quality level frame / components. VeloBase.com has a good resource of components, but not yet bicycles / frames. (it's in the works however...)

+1 There is no database right now. This is a good opportunity for the OP to start compiling one.

ebay is a common source, but it does have outliers (sales well above sanity, along with an occasional deal).

I don't know much about Centurions....but if you want a price on your Lemans, eBay has plenty of old listings.

With a midlevel bike like the Lemans: Condition/Components/Color are the things I'd evaluate.

The friction models had a better level of components, in my opinion, relative to the rest of the market, than their indexed brethren.
My '84 w/Suntour LePreel is as smooth as any of my friction bikes save one, but my '88 with indexed LX just is not the reliable "click-shift, take it for granted" bike I'd like it to be.
I've heard the 6-sp indexed were smoother than the 7-speed. Maybe I need a new chain or something.

It may be because the friction components were near the end of years of development and improvement,
and the indexed models were near the beginning. I don't know, doesn't matter.

So, I'll climb out on the limb, and venture a market opinion:
$150-$200, delivered, for a good condition Lemans with rideable tires.
Subtract from that for anything you have to fix.

I'd pay more for an RS with friction than I would for a later indexed model,.....UNLESS....the wild card is the black and yellow 1987 model.
People just like that color a lot, and if it's in good condition with original components, it will bring Ironman prices. I dig that one, too.

That being said, right now the market has a lot of Ironman models, so you can likely get one of them for about $250 delivered, and that's a great buy if the condition is good. I've been tracking Ironman sales on eBay alone over the last couple of years. Delivered price is around $255-$260, based on 100 sold.
20% of the Ironman bikes listed do not sell, generally due to high reserves or seller's reluctance to ship.

If I had $400 to spend to get into the sport, I'd pick up an Ironman, used carbon fork, used STI shifters, clipless pedals, and a saddle I liked. I think the combo makes for one of the best all-around bikes you can get right now.

If I had $300, I'd go for a clean Ironman with all original components, and try to get as much of the other stuff as I could in the budget.
If I had $200, I'd look for a Lemans RS, either the last friction models or an '87 like A. Winthrop describes.
Less than that, I'd see if any '88 Lemans were available, or an early '80s Super Lemans.

By comparison, today's CL in Raleigh has a 1970 Peugeot UO-8 for $150. It will sell.

There are always individual bikes that are outside this general description, but what you see above is what I've experienced as far as Centurions.
I've got other makes and models, and some are very nice and were better values. They just happened that way, and I don't know their market.

I paid $15 for a centuian elite biopace chain rings full shimano 600. $2 Schwinn Tempo. $50 Miyata 914. $40 specialized epic carbon fiber frame, $10 mavic ksyrium wheels for it. your prices may vary.

I paid $15 for a centuian elite biopace chain rings full shimano 600. $2 Schwinn Tempo. $50 Miyata 914. $40 specialized epic carbon fiber frame, $10 mavic ksyrium wheels for it. your prices may vary.
I need to shop where you go.......:thumb:

I need to shop where you go.......:thumb:

Holy crap, +1.

lewt539, There was a Univega Supra Sport that I'm aware of that sold for $60 in the Raleigh area. The bike had been stored outdoors and that took its toll on the components and the chain. Amazingly the frame was not rusted. It was a grey/blue color and could be the same year/model you're referring to. I remember looking at it. If I had more time and if the frame was one size smaller, I would have purchased it for myself because it was super nice frame. It was double (or triple) butted chromoly steel, made in Japan. I can't remember if the steel was Ishiwata, Tange or something else. The model, SupraSport was NOT high end, in fact it looked like a very nice entry level model to me. But I remember being very impressed with the frame's credentials for a lower end bike. Take into account, prices have gone up since I viewed this bike and it was a good deal then.
Hope this helps.

We're working on a new price guide which has more 'used' bicycles than our original on-line price guide. It doesn't just contain 'collectible' bicycles.

I'm updating it right now, but it should have over 40,000 sales in it by this afternoon.
There are currently over 100 Univega records in the database.

Here's a direct link:

http://oldroads.com/p_query.asp

Replying here on an older thread anyone interested in finding a "pricing guide" for a type of bike I would suggest using the following sites to look up your bikes make for reference:

1) Ebay
2) Craigslist
3) Jaxed Site Mash (scroll the list for your bikes make)
4) Search this forum in the appropriate category eg. Classic & Vintage, Touring, Cyclocross, etc.

Out of these four sites you will get a good idea of the market rate for the type of bike you are looking for. It may take time to find your type of bike or the model of that make you are looking for. Research is the key. Keep on looking. Oh...Ofcourse you will find lots of people here on the forum that can find anything for $2-20.00. I personally do not get that lucky nor will you more than likely, still there are good deals to be had for the lucky and the few. Timing is everything!

Replying here on an older thread anyone interested in finding a "pricing guide" for a type of bike I would suggest using the following sites to look up your bikes make for reference:

1) Ebay
2) Craigslist
3) Jaxed Site Mash (scroll the list for your bikes make)
4) Search this forum in the appropriate category eg. Classic & Vintage, Touring, Cyclocross, etc.

Out of these four sites you will get a good idea of the market rate for the type of bike you are looking for. It may take time to find your type of bike or the model of that make you are looking for. Research is the key. Keep on looking. Oh...Ofcourse you will find lots of people here on the forum that can find anything for $2-20.00. I personally do not get that lucky nor will you more than likely, still there are good deals to be had for the lucky and the few. Timing is everything!

And... Our on-line price guide now has over 55,000 records: http://oldroads.com/p_query.asp

My mistake for leaving out oldroads.com, and any other sites or reference platforms I have failed to mention. I have only been into bikes for 6 - 7 months. I have spent a lot of time researching in that time...and enjoy it immensely. Velobase.com is excellent for component research as oldroads stated.

And... Our on-line price guide now has over 55,000 records: http://oldroads.com/p_query.asp


I hear you, and I appreciate the effort you guys made, but your price guide seems like a scraping of CL for sale entries. No actual prices realized, just what a seller asks for ($1000 for a Collegiate, for example). Another thing is that if a brand tends to be around for many years (Specialized Hard Rock anyone?) the listings are comparing apples with oranges and pomegranates... A great thought, but a quick and dirty execution IMHO. And, please, take this as a constructive criticism, because that is what it was meant to be...

Mike Kone has updated his buyers guide that he originally wrote with Sheldon Brown.

http://www.renehersebicycles.com/Mike%20Kone%27s%20Price%20Guide%20to%20Vintage%20Lightweights.htm

As he say's its a draft but it should give you some idea of bike prices,
it's incomplete at the moment covering Atala through Cinelli.

Marty