Classic & Vintage - The Official 'How much is this worth?' Subforum Discussion Thread!

Because there's been an absolute ton of threads lately with people asking how much a particular bike is worth...let's have a thread.

If you have a bike that you want a value put on, post a description (and preferably pictures) here. A friendly C&Ver will likely be able to provide you with an estimate. The more details provided, the more accurate you estimate will likely be. Also, your local market will have an effect on the value, so you may wish to post that as well.

If a mod is around, sticky this please.


[cuda2k is hijacking this thread, please excuse me Exit. :)]

The suggestion has been made to create a subforum for threads asking on honest valuations of vintage frames. I ask for feedback on if you would participate in this subforum. Post in this thread or PM would be equally fine with me. Thank you.

$3.50.

Thread closed. :D



Please........ no more stickies. We need to get rid of some as it is.

$3.50.

Thread closed. :D


:lol:



Please........ no more stickies.

+1

No, wait ... +2

:lol:




+1

no, wait ... +2


+4

+4Wrong, +3.50

Actually, I think it should be a sticky. There are TONs of people asking what things are worth. Put them in a sticky folder and out of the main forum. I don't understand the downside.

-GG-

Actually, I think it should be a sticky. There are TONs of people asking what things are worth. Put them in a sticky folder and out of the main forum. I don't understand the downside.

-GG-

The downside is that the hit-n-run "what's it worth" folks won't take a second to read and understand the sticky, or anything else for that matter. They just Google, find the forum, and pester us without reading guidelines, looking for stickies, or bothering to get to know the "community".

It would be a useless sticky, in a sea of stickies. While we're on the subject - hasn't the "Brooks Imperial Saddle Reviews" sticky run its' course? I say dump it. :)

+$3.50 again.

We've got enough stickies.

Most newbies who bounce into this forum looking for worth advice and have no other interest around here aren't going to take the time to look for the thread in any case. They will just create a new thread once they get here. That "click here to start a new thread" link is a nice invitation for them. So if we had a sticky thread and others were created too then there would be pressure on the mods to move to loose ones around.

Non-sticky threads like the "Before and After" one and others get pushed to the top by current members, but a "Worth" thread once it leaves the front page won't likely have a chance of revival from a new visitor who would actually take the time to find it, assuming they would take the time to look on page one anyways.

Our answers to requests here are typically the same (i.e. How about some photos so we can actually help you, Depends on size & condition, Study Ebay and CL, If you want to keep it then why are you asking about it's worth?, etc....), and ultimately they end up in just a few price ranges. Up to $100 or so for lesser stuff, up to $300 or so for better stuff, and more that that for nice stuff.

I get tired of seeing all the what's it worth thread titles, but I found that the best solution to dealing with them is just not reading them, unless I have a particular interest in that brand or model bike.

however sometimes it is helpful to have a look at the whats it worth thread while looking a craigslist so I know when I come across a bargain. I have become a regular here and I think that a sticky in place of the brooks sticky would be good.

I for one find it interesting to read the whats it worth threads because I don't know it all... I won't pretend to know it all and so I like to learn what the values are and the descriptions that go along with these threads I find very educational.

I think it is a great idea. And some will use it properly and others will not, but it would be a great resource so that when someone comes and asks whats it worth they can be directed to that sticky perhaps they too will learn something.

however sometimes it is helpful to have a look at the whats it worth thread while looking a craigslist so I know when I come across a bargain. ........

......it would be a great resource so that when someone comes and asks whats it worth they can be directed to that sticky perhaps they too will learn something.

The problem is it won't match up, the information would be almost useless to you, and there would be little for someone to learn from such a thread.

Bike "worth" is very subjective, and depends on so many factors and sub-factors that straight useful comparisons are almost impossible - especially for the low and mid-level bikes. A Cinelli is a Cinelli, and all things being equal has global collector/enthusiast appeal and "worth" - but a plain-jane Univega (for example) in good trim would be simultaneously near worthless in Beaver, Oklahoma, bring maybe $100 on Ebay, and sell for about $200 in San Franciso, CA.

And then there's the condition/components can of worms.........

I'm with Bmaxwell.

We ought to switch the Brooks Imperial Saddle Reviews sticky with one for worth, because I always feel a little annoyed when someone comes into the forums here at C&V, posts, "Cannondale something, whats it worth?" or "Old Schwinn, what's it worth," etc. Then the main page is covered with lots of little blue envelopes no one usually replies to.

Much like the "introduce yourself!" forum, which is also a little sad looking.

Point being, I like to hope that it'll clean up some of our forum litter.
Have a "what's it worth" thread, an "info on it" thread, and that "Wanted/ISO/whatever" thread, which is excellent.

That'd solve the litter issue, and then the rest of the C&V posts could be mildly interesting to read.

The sticky issue is one that comes up regularly. I'm going to talk to Lotek about it. and have another idea for the 'what's it worth threads', but going to inquire about some of that first.

regardless of what the bike is worth, I gather so much info from all the knowledge here on this forum. It amazes me how much all you guys know about bikes. I like reading the whats it worth threads to learn more about bikes in general... so I am not talking specific price info as I am general info about a wide variety of bikes.

What makes a bike worthy and what does not, how to spot a bent fork or poor workmanship. The knowledge here is emense and I think that a whats it worth thread would help to consolidate all that wonderful knowledge into a great usefull place.

Just my thoughts take them for what they are worth...take what you like and leave the rest.

The downside is that the hit-n-run "what's it worth" folks won't take a second to read and understand the sticky, or anything else for that matter. They just Google, find the forum, and pester us without reading guidelines, looking for stickies, or bothering to get to know the "community".

Good. Then we have an excuse to treat them like dirt.

-Kurt

P.S.: It's worth $1,500 in mint condition.

Rather than a sticky, I think what's-it-worth should be its own sub forum. That would keep the different manufacturers and/or models separated in individual threads, so someone wouldn't have to comb through pages and pages of one thread to find what his/her bike is "worth."

Neal

Rather than a sticky, I think what's-it-worth should be its own sub forum. That would keep the different manufacturers and/or models separated in individual threads, so someone wouldn't have to comb through pages and pages of one thread to find what his/her bike is "worth."

Neal

You read my mind.

edit: should be added soon. looks like there are a few more channels to go through. ;)

Let's make a sticky about not wanting more stickies.

NO MORE STICKIES!

You read my mind.

edit: should be added soon. looks like there are a few more channels to go through. ;)

And I see in your future . . . a bike ride!

That sounds good, Jon. Thanks.

Neal

a new forum that is a great idea. I like it

Ok, I've hijacked this thread instead of creating another one. I've put the ball in motion to get us a subforum for valuation threads. However I'm going to need a bit more leverage to get this done. I need ya'lls feedback on this idea, and if you would participate in honestly, and kindly, giving valuations in threads created in that subforum. If we do this, I don't want every thread responded with "$3.50 or what the market will bear". The idea is to give those who are honestly looking for valuations a place to get responses without such remarks. Likewise it will not become a place for thinly veiled For-Sale postings. Both will face firm responses from the moderation team. Specifically - Me.

Ok, I've hijacked this thread instead of creating another one. I've put the ball in motion to get us a subforum for valuation threads. However I'm going to need a bit more leverage to get this done. I need ya'lls feedback on this idea, and if you would participate in honestly, and kindly, giving valuations in threads created in that subforum. If we do this, I don't want every thread responded with "$3.50 or what the market will bear". The idea is to give those who are honestly looking for valuations a place to get responses without such remarks. Likewise it will not become a place for thinly veiled For-Sale postings. Both will face firm responses from the moderation team. Specifically - Me.

If you build it, I will come.

+1
it sounds great to me... this sounds like a solution, a win win situation

+1
Seems like a good solution to me.

I'm all for the sub-forum and against any new sticky. The mod job may increase initially when people post willy-nilly and the thread needs to be moved. But that's not my bag baby :).

I think the sub-forum would be fun, and there could be betting involved :thumb:. People speculate on value, it gets posted on ebay and the closest to the sale price without going over (The Price Is Right rules) gets 10% of the sale price. Good times :D.

Ok, I've hijacked this thread instead of creating another one. I've put the ball in motion to get us a subforum for valuation threads. However I'm going to need a bit more leverage to get this done. I need ya'lls feedback on this idea, and if you would participate in honestly, and kindly, giving valuations in threads created in that subforum. If we do this, I don't want every thread responded with "$3.50 or what the market will bear". The idea is to give those who are honestly looking for valuations a place to get responses without such remarks. Likewise it will not become a place for thinly veiled For-Sale postings. Both will face firm responses from the moderation team. Specifically - Me.

Yes please. This would be a big help to relative nubs such as myself. Both in terms of obtaining pricing, and understanding how bikes are priced.

I wholeheartedly support the sub forum idea.
I also plan on 'pruning' the number of stickies, I'm going to take Kurt's ideas to heart
and do some thread combining ( craigslist/ebay and dumbkopf of the day, vintage rides and where'd you ride etc.) and just let some slide into oblivion.

I too will keep a close eye on new subforum and can say with some authority that thinly veiled sales
ads will bring swift retribution.

Marty

Ok, I've hijacked this thread instead of creating another one. I've put the ball in motion to get us a subforum for valuation threads. However I'm going to need a bit more leverage to get this done. I need ya'lls feedback on this idea, and if you would participate in honestly, and kindly, giving valuations in threads created in that subforum. If we do this, I don't want every thread responded with "$3.50 or what the market will bear". The idea is to give those who are honestly looking for valuations a place to get responses without such remarks. Likewise it will not become a place for thinly veiled For-Sale postings. Both will face firm responses from the moderation team. Specifically - Me.
I promise I will answer as truthfully and courteously as I always do to valuation requests.

could there also be a what is it section to this sub forum?

could there also be a what is it section to this sub forum?

http://velobase.com is probably the best resource out there for finding out what it is you have (at least as far as components go). and I don't say that just because it's my site. But it had crossed my mind to make this new subforum a dual purpose of what is it/what is it worth. I'll need some ideas on a name for the subforum if we were to consider going that route. Thank you all for your feedback thus far and keep it coming.

Ok, I've hijacked this thread instead of creating another one. I've put the ball in motion to get us a subforum for valuation threads. However I'm going to need a bit more leverage to get this done. I need ya'lls feedback on this idea, and if you would participate in honestly, and kindly, giving valuations in threads created in that subforum. If we do this, I don't want every thread responded with "$3.50 or what the market will bear". The idea is to give those who are honestly looking for valuations a place to get responses without such remarks. Likewise it will not become a place for thinly veiled For-Sale postings. Both will face firm responses from the moderation team. Specifically - Me.

I can see the value of such a thread, and would be willing to join in.

However, I can almost guarantee that most posters aren't going to be happy with my appraisal of their bikes - it's going to be a lot lower than what they're probably counting on.

This is due in part to an attitude that I'm slowly developing that the vintage bicycle market is getting more than a bit out of hand, and prices are starting to get unrealistic. Fortunately, my current collection is pleasing me very much, and if I've got to go for the next few years without buying anything new, I can live with that very easily.

Overall, despite my curmudgeonly attitude, a very good idea.

If I may suggest, retitle this thread something like, "What's my bike worth?" or anything that'll draw that person to it immediately. Make pictures mandatory to get a valuation.

http://velobase.com is probably the best resource out there for finding out what it is you have

...and I wholeheartedly agree. If you haven't been to Velobase...you aren't certified C&V!

-Kurt

What I suspect might happen is that the "what's it worth" sub-forum will have a surfeit of askers and a dearth of respondents -- because potential respondents (if they're like me, anyway) won't hang out there or go looking for threads to answer. So the people asking will eventually end up in C&V anyway, if they're persistent.. Or maybe they'll just be offended and will go away! But in terms of a match between information sought and educated opinions, I think it might not work so well.

I only read that sort of post if it's clear from the title that there's a good chance a worthwhile bike -- and that doesn't have anything to do with monetary value -- is involved; and I seldom respond, because as others have said: worth is usually hopelessly subjective. A Colnago Arabesque has intrinsic interest, and some real worth, while most of the bikes people find forgotten in garages are not worth the electrons inconvenienced to talk about them.

Ok, I've hijacked this thread instead of creating another one. I've put the ball in motion to get us a subforum for valuation threads. However I'm going to need a bit more leverage to get this done. I need ya'lls feedback on this idea, and if you would participate in honestly, and kindly, giving valuations in threads created in that subforum. If we do this, I don't want every thread responded with "$3.50 or what the market will bear". The idea is to give those who are honestly looking for valuations a place to get responses without such remarks. Likewise it will not become a place for thinly veiled For-Sale postings. Both will face firm responses from the moderation team. Specifically - Me.


Okay, I'll give what advice I can.

Will valuation threads started here get moved immediately?

Make it a subforum problem solved. Makes it easier for people wanting to not see "what is this worth threads" and easier for the people trying to appraise their bikes.

I'm assuming a sub-forum would include mountain bikes. newer road bikes, bmx, single speed etc. Right?

I'm all for the sub-forum and against any new sticky. The mod job may increase initially when people post willy-nilly and the thread needs to be moved. But that's not my bag baby :).

I think the sub-forum would be fun, and there could be betting involved :thumb:. People speculate on value, it gets posted on ebay and the closest to the sale price without going over (The Price Is Right rules) gets 10% of the sale price. Good times :D.

If you see a thread out of place, just 'report this post' and the moderators will take a look. Just explain what the problem is--we will take care of the rest of it.

East Hill

I'm assuming a sub-forum would include mountain bikes. newer road bikes, bmx, single speed etc. Right?

This would be a C&V subforum, so C&V inquires only.

Okay, I'll give what advice I can.

Will valuation threads started here get moved immediately?

Yes, if / when the subforum gets created under C&V, we will start moving threads in there if they are created in this section.

I am hoping that some of the knowledgeable C&V regulars will regularly check the section to see what they can input, we're helpful folk after all. :) There will be sticky or two with the general rules and such about posting in there. Hopefully as others have put it, it will be a win-win for everyone.

I don't mind giving some input in there about bikes I know about.

Someone please put a bold sticky thread in the subforum titled something like "Read this first before requesting worth" and have some comments in there telling the potential posters that doing a search on BF for their bike might help with info, noting that regional markets are different if planning on selling on CL, and some tips on placing a good request that will produce informative responses, etc.

I posted this elsewhere before but still no emoticon. :( Perhaps a contest is in order for this....

Can we get a smilie emoticon that shows the smilie throwing a junk bike into the water off of a boat? There are plenty of boat anchors that show up in Classic & Vintage, and some kind of visual would be nice since pictures are rarely provided.

To be used judiciously, of course. ;)

Does anyone really think that people who are too lazy to do basic research and don't bother to add a pic when they finally do drop their trash on us are really going to make any effort to drill down to a sub-forum?

I hope it works, I really do. But for now, color me cynical.

Can we get a smilie emoticon that shows the smilie throwing a junk bike into the water off of a boat? There are plenty of boat anchors that show up in Classic & Vintage, and some kind of visual would be nice since pictures are rarely provided.

To be used judiciously, of course. ;)

:roflmao2:

brought this topic up a few months ago and many agreed but some were "offended".just dont answer and let those that want to be helpful give the info.

Why not test this out. Someone post a "sold" bike. Let's see who comes closest to the purchased price.

Can we get a smilie emoticon that shows the smilie throwing a junk bike into the water off of a boat? There are plenty of boat anchors that show up in Classic & Vintage, and some kind of visual would be nice since pictures are rarely provided.

To be used judiciously, of course. ;)


If you can find a free-use emote / .gif file I can see about getting it added.

Why not test this out. Someone post a "sold" bike. Let's see who comes closest to the purchased price.

http://jonpfischer.com/thecuda/Serotta/tn_P2181991.JPG
how much (in photoed state). ;)

difficulty: serotta in parkpre colors, most of a super record group, columbus sl.
















j/k - that wouldn't be a fair test. I didn't actually buy it, but rather a trade that I feel was a bit in my favor.

I jumped in and bought a bike not knowing it's worth, and it was a steal, even if I didn't know it. It was on eBay, so others had a shot.
So, full of confidence, I prompty averaged that out with a stupid buy. It was on eBay, too, so I received my just dues.

Still, I'm a $3.50 fan. Why?

Because I don't want to participate in an unfair deal, willingly or not. I've not ripped anyone off on a bike and don't intend to.

If bigbossman or A. Winthrop or txvintage or Little Darwin or any of dozens of you were selling me a bike, I'd pay the asking price, for all the best reasons.

But, I'm not buying the bike the "how much?" posters are wanting to buy, or sell, or flip. Other than those bikes I'm sure of, in my market, I'm too ambivalent about it.

So $3.50.

If bigbossman ........were selling me a bike, I'd pay the asking price, for all the best reasons.

That's good to know. :D

Hey cuda...do I get sub-forum mod privs? ;)

+1 Subforum.

+1 The generic $3.50 answer. I look at the join date, and if it is the current month, I question whether the person is just fishing for a sale, or whether they truly want to be a part of the forum. Most of them appear and then quickly disappear. For those individuals, I would suggest they pay someone to give them an appraisal... But if it is someone who has been on the forum for a while, I am more than happy to share my minimal knowledge based on our local market.

I would put at the lead in to the sub-forum that all markets are local, and in certain areas, bikes can sell for 2 to 3X other areas (or even more).

how much (in photoed state). ;)

difficulty: Serotta in parkpre colors, most of a super record group, columbus sl.


J/k - that wouldn't be a fair test. I didn't actually buy it, but rather a trade that i feel was a bit in my favor.

$3.50?


























;)