Classic & Vintage Bicycle Appraisals and Inquiries - Classic Stumpjumper Price?

Hi Folks,

I found a very clean and very little use (tires still look new) 88-89 Stumpjumper, and I would like to know what it is worth. The seller is asking $500, but that seems high. I would like to buy it, but at a reasonable price for a bike of this vintage.

Thanks for the help.

Jeff

Hi Folks,

I found a very clean and very little use (tires still look new) 88-89 Stumpjumper, and I would like to know what it is worth. The seller is asking $500, but that seems high. I would like to buy it, but at a reasonable price for a bike of this vintage.

Thanks for the help.

Jeff

If it were myself buying it might just be worth $500 to me. How many '88 to '90 Stumpjumpers were made? Then narrow this down by the the number made in a particular size (I'n my case I'd need a 47cm) then subtract by the number in that size out there that were ridden into the ground or irreparably damaged. Then of the remainder divide in half. The first part of the remainder are those who were given decent care but look a little ragged around the edges (dinged paint, replaced parts, ect.) the second part are the truly pristine, the garage queens, the NOS bikes that time forgot. I would bet that the end number that match the latter group is no more than a couple thousand at most..

II find 80's mountain bikes like this all the time.... I find them for $20-$50, and struggle to sell them over $150. Unless it's absolutely pristine and comes with an identical second mtb, I would pass on it. Everyone thinks they will die if they don't have dual suspension these days, so they usually sit and waste away to nothing.,,,,,BD

I just bought a 1985 Stumpjumper Sport in good condition for $95. I wouldn't want to pay more than that. I love the bike though and am glad I bought it.

My in-laws had each a Stump Jumper, one in one size and the other in another. They couldn't sell them for more than $50 (separately) last spring.

I picked up a Stumpjumper of about that vintage at a swap this past spring, took off components that were needed for other projects, and then listed the frame on eBay with a $50.00 buy it now. Even though it had scratches and the beginnings of light surface rust at the cable guides, it got snapped up in less than 1 hour - leading me to think I underestimated it's value.

I believe that mid-80s Stumpjumpers are quite valuable, particularly those those who can't find a Bridgestone MB-0 or MB-1!

Neal

I think in every corner of C&V pricing its hard to talk about value. We find treasure in the trash and we see trash going for big coin on Ebay. But in the outdated MTB world, its even harder to do. Because they are not as old, and because they are much more technology orientated, the market is all over the place.

To the right buyer, an old Stumpy has real value (Btw, USAZorro, next time you have an old MTB to sell, PLEASE tell me!). But those buyers are harder to find perhaps.

However, as the ole days of MTB's recede farther and farther in memory, I think we will see somewhat more consistency to the market.

$500 for a '88 Stumpjumper? That will be hard to find that buyer. I picked up an '84 Stumpy for $110 and a first year MB-1 for $10 in the last year.

jim

I think in every corner of C&V pricing its hard to talk about value. We find treasure in the trash and we see trash going for big coin on Ebay. But in the outdated MTB world, its even harder to do. Because they are not as old, and because they are much more technology orientated, the market is all over the place.

To the right buyer, an old Stumpy has real value (Btw, USAZorro, next time you have an old MTB to sell, PLEASE tell me!). But those buyers are harder to find perhaps.

However, as the ole days of MTB's recede farther and farther in memory, I think we will see somewhat more consistency to the market.

$500 for a '88 Stumpjumper? That will be hard to find that buyer. I picked up an '84 Stumpy for $110 and a first year MB-1 for $10 in the last year.

jim

I didn't say so in so many words, but it is up to the individual. Like I said if it was something in my size and very pristine it might be worth $500 to me, but the same bike might not be worth that figure to anyone else.

I think in every corner of C&V pricing its hard to talk about value. We find treasure in the trash and we see trash going for big coin on Ebay. But in the outdated MTB world, its even harder to do. Because they are not as old, and because they are much more technology orientated, the market is all over the place.

To the right buyer, an old Stumpy has real value (Btw, USAZorro, next time you have an old MTB to sell, PLEASE tell me!). But those buyers are harder to find perhaps.

However, as the ole days of MTB's recede farther and farther in memory, I think we will see somewhat more consistency to the market.

$500 for a '88 Stumpjumper? That will be hard to find that buyer. I picked up an '84 Stumpy for $110 and a first year MB-1 for $10 in the last year.

jim


I think I actually did ask you about this one. It was way small for you.

Yeah, I think I remember now. Hard to believe I had the restraint not to get it anyway though.

jim

restraint is not something the contributors to this forum have any surplus of...at least where it comes to bicycles.

a first-year stumpy, though...there's an item. The cranks are worth $200, at least!

In 2007, Specialized put out a "Stumpjumper Classic" that was 1200-1300 bucks, so compare the condition and asking price to that. Cool frickin' bikes.

Yeah, for those of you who can't get rid of late 80's Stumptumpers, send one my way.

Seriously. I'd like one. Deore DX or XT. I had a stumpjumper comp BITD and it was a great bike.

Pete

I paid $75 for my 92 Trek 950, and passed up another one for $50. Older MTBs have little/no value around here. People would rather have a Huffy road bike, than a nice older MTB. Good vintage MTBs are going for 25% to 50% of what similar road bikes are going for.

I have a Rocky Mountain all original with Deore/Deore DX that I'm going to end up giving away. Its a rock solid bike built with Ritchey Logic tubing etc. etc......

Mtn. bike account for 85%+ of all bike sales. There're alot more of them out there than you think.

Old Stumpjumpers are not just another old rigid fork mtb. They've taken on a mistique and have become sought after. USA Zorro's story fits with my experience trying to find a Stumpy in good condition at a reasonable price, like $100 or less. If I were finding them at $50 a pop, I'd be buying all I could get. I too have had success finding other bikes, 2 Hoo Koo E Koos, 2 Nishiki Ariels and a 94 Rockhopper with a double butted full chromoly frame. But the Stumpy has escaped my grasp. If I was willing to spend over $250, then I think I could find some. But I'm not that enamored of them.
That said, I don't think the OPs bike is worth $500. That's kinda steep for a late 80's model. If it was an early model, that's another story.

An '88 or '89 simply isn't old enough to be worth a lot of money, and too old to spend a lot of money on if you're looking for a MTB to ride.

the very early Stup's fetch a premium now because they were a new variation on existing bikes, the mountain bike, and being new, they exhibited strange quirks, odd angles, triangulated stems, mix of road parts and such. They were unique, different from everything else out there.

By '88, they had been in existence long enough that they were no longer unique, and the things that made them quirky had been engineered and designed out of them. Frame angles had largely settled into a certain range, funky bars and stems were going out of favor, and more mountain bike-specific parts were being designed and specced, and the numbers being manufactured had grown.

Besides the name, there wasn't much to separate a Stumpy from any other mountain bike brand out there. I do have a fondness though, for those rigid steel mountain bikes of the late 80's/early 90's, as that's the time period I got back into cycling. And I still have my 1992 Stumpjumper Comp.

Hi Folks,

Thanks for the response to my question. I did make an offer of $250 two days ago by email. No response, so I'm assuming that is a NO.

After reading all the comments, I thought my offer was more than fair.

Jeff

Where I live theres a nice red one in really good condition for 40$ lol but I have to many bikes so I have to let it pass.

If you haven't seen it before, take a look at the 1982 StumpJumpers at the FirstFlightBikes MTB museum site:

http://www.mombat.org/Specialized.htm

That bi-plate fork crown is awfully cool.

Neal

I paid $100 for mine off Craigslist. Was ridden hard but well maintained; I'm rebuilding it as a wet-weather commuter and summer fire-road bike.

Be aware that the 88's (and I believe 89's) had U-brakes, which you may or may not want to get used to. They were apparently only used for a year or two (see Sheldon Brown).

As a commuter, the u-brake actually works quite well -- it's down and below the chainstays, and out of the way of fenders, racks and whatever you're carrying on the bike.

'87 and '88 I think were the heyday for U-brakes, at least for Specialized. By 1989 they had gone back to cantilevers, only using U-brakes for their smallest frame sizes, for ankle clearance.

Howdy,

I'm responding to a November '08 posting I just saw (I'm a new member) re: buying a used Stumpjumper; '80's vintage. I bought one in NYC in '84 or '85 and was told they were a new item. I think I paid $700 for it and still have it. Considering the emotional attachment I would not part with it. Considering the quality of the bike I would not part with it. Considering the condition of the bike, I would not part with it. I spent years pounding the bike on city streets then moved to the country-upstate NY. That Stumpjumper is every bit as good on the country road as the city streets. I am not an off roader.

I also have an original REW Reynolds (531 DB tubing) touring bike made by him in the early '70's that I ordered directly. I spoke with him and we corresponded by mail while working out particulars-he was a perfectionist (yahoo!) and was even concerned about not getting the color right (red sable). I also pounded the city streets with that bike and still have it. It is all original except for tires and a brake cable and in incredible condition and rides like a dream. I love the old brooks leather saddle w/brass fittings-and the Reynolds Northhampton decal. Both these bikes are beauties. I would not take less than $10k for the Reynolds and if a good Stumpjumper could be had for $500 I'd seriously consider buying it.
The latest Hi-tech bikes are fantastic looking and I'm considering one for the road-yet haven't sorted through all the options and makes. For road touring lightness and strength for hard riding (at times) does anyone have suggestions? $1500-4000 range. Muchas Gracias! DLD

FWIW- I bought a original, ridden, and left in a barn '86 Stumpjumper Sport for $25 at a yardsale. Completely rebuilt it...pretty much everything but paint which is used, but nut abused. Frankly, I like my '84 Univega better. I tried to sell it on craigslist for $325; no takers.

I watched an '88 in good shape go for nearly $300 at a police auction last year. I think you need to find the right buyer, but $500 is too high by probably 50% in my opinion.

Howdy,
I would not take less than $10k for the Reynolds and if a good Stumpjumper could be had for $500 I'd seriously consider buying it.


You shouldn't have too much trouble finding one for $500 because that's too high a price for one. I'd like to find an old Stumpy because I'm a collector. But to drive a price up to $500 there has to be a number of folks ready to spend at least $400 on such a bike. As has been said, an old rigid fork MTB sells for around $100-$150. The Stumpy is something special. For an exceptional model, the price could go as high as $200-$250 and if it was a really high bike market area, on a good day, in exceptional condition, maybe $300:rolleyes: but that's really pushing it.

Howdy,

I'm responding to a November '08 posting I just saw (I'm a new member) re: buying a used Stumpjumper; '80's vintage. I bought one in NYC in '84 or '85 and was told they were a new item. I think I paid $700 for it and still have it. Considering the emotional attachment I would not part with it. Considering the quality of the bike I would not part with it. Considering the condition of the bike, I would not part with it. I spent years pounding the bike on city streets then moved to the country-upstate NY. That Stumpjumper is every bit as good on the country road as the city streets. I am not an off roader.

I also have an original REW Reynolds (531 DB tubing) touring bike made by him in the early '70's that I ordered directly. I spoke with him and we corresponded by mail while working out particulars-he was a perfectionist (yahoo!) and was even concerned about not getting the color right (red sable). I also pounded the city streets with that bike and still have it. It is all original except for tires and a brake cable and in incredible condition and rides like a dream. I love the old brooks leather saddle w/brass fittings-and the Reynolds Northhampton decal. Both these bikes are beauties. I would not take less than $10k for the Reynolds and if a good Stumpjumper could be had for $500 I'd seriously consider buying it.
The latest Hi-tech bikes are fantastic looking and I'm considering one for the road-yet haven't sorted through all the options and makes. For road touring lightness and strength for hard riding (at times) does anyone have suggestions? $1500-4000 range. Muchas Gracias! DLD

I recommend you start a new thread. Also, go to the touring forum, there is all kind of info out there.