Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - Is it worth it?

i'm going to check out this bike later today.

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/bik/1012912196.html

I'm confused about the components though. I was told by the seller that they are all original, but from what I have read Shimano Tourney is a 1997+ Mounatain Groupo and the bike looks to be 70's or 80's by my untrained eye.

The Mafac stuff checks out.

Any thoughts or advice before I open my wallet?

Maybe the Valuation Forum folks would have an opinion.

I'd keep my wallet closed, unless that's a full Reynolds 531 frameset, which might make it worth it to you. I'm pretty sure Mercier put out a few 531 frames, but more often than not the ones that show up are bike boom gaspipe stuff. As for Shimano Tourney, there was a road version. I believe it was late 70s, maybe early 80s, and it was basic entry level.

For that price, I'd keep looking, or talk the seller way down.

The bike looks pretty good to me. Has a nice, tight rear triangle and the seller did state the frame was cro-moly, so that eliminates gas pipe. No expert mind you, but it looks good. Be a nice bike to own.


just my 2 cents. :D

Even though seller states it is cromoly, it is kind of odd/telling that he did not show a picture of the tubing brand label.

Otherwise, bike looks like a typical bike boom gas pipe pipe. Unless you are in love with it, price is too high.

For less than that around here, you could get a nice mid range component, branded tubing Trek or similar. Something with Suntour Cyclone or Shimano 105.

I kind of use the Ronald Reagan method on any Craigs List ad. Trust BUT verify. So as a minimum I would ask the seller for verification that the frame is cromoly. And if there is not a label/decal, I wouldn't believe it.

Even if it were cromoly, short of being 100% Reynolds 531 (and to be that, there should be a separate label on the forks, both sides), the price is still high. A generic cromoly framed bike with lower end components, three piece crank and alloy rims would be about $150 around here. Full Reynolds would kick it up a notch, but then, I would expect better components.

But your market could be stronger.

Keep in mind, price is Canadian.

Frames go for 175-450 around here. (I'm referring to old road bikes)

I bought the frame for 170, and unfortunately upon further examination i don't see any markings that make it Cromoly =\

Looks like I'm stuck with a crappy huge frame.

One thing I should mention is that the model is the "Special Tour De France". But the paint job on the lettering is really sloppy and cheap looking.

Otherwise, bike looks like a typical bike boom gas pipe pipe. Unless you are in love with it, price is too high.

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Hardly, but I do agree the price is a little bit stiff. Still, it looks like a nice bike, has a nice tight triangle, seller says its cro-moly, and if the OP really likes it, I say get it!!

Thats about it! :D

i'm going to check out this bike later today.

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/bik/1012912196.html

I'm confused about the components though. I was told by the seller that they are all original, but from what I have read Shimano Tourney is a 1997+ Mounatain Groupo and the bike looks to be 70's or 80's by my untrained eye.

The Mafac stuff checks out.

Any thoughts or advice before I open my wallet?



Keep in mind, price is Canadian.

Frames go for 175-450 around here. (I'm referring to old road bikes)

I bought the frame for 170, and unfortunately upon further examination i don't see any markings that make it Cromoly =\

Looks like I'm stuck with a crappy huge frame.

One thing I should mention is that the model is the "Special Tour De France". But the paint job on the lettering is really sloppy and cheap looking.

Are you talking about the Mercier or some other frame? Am I confused or did you ask for advice and then run right out and buy it? There is less than an hour between your first post and the one just above this.

I'd polish it up, put some white bar tape on it, and take it for a spin. Looks like a nice bike. Mess around with it, as is required to maintain it, and learn bike mechanics as you go. For $170 you got a nice vintage and not to common bike. Enjoy it!

I'm a big fan of Merciers. Nice purchase.

Think of it this way. The ad says new tires and tubes. Thats $50 you dont have to spend right there. Bike is ready to ride. Go for it.

I posted 14 minutes after your original post. I get no respect around here. Is it my name? :lol:

Anyway, I wouldn't sweat it. You're in a hot market, and as big chainring says, looks like a nice bike. If it fits, and you ride it, it's worth what you spent. Take some detailed photos and post them up here. I'm not so sure that's an entry level frame. Mafac Racers are a decent brakeset, as are what appear to be Suntour Power shifters.

Does it have forged dropouts, like this Mercier (http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Mercier-Road-frame-55cm_W0QQitemZ230319274673QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item230319274673&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2|65%3A13|39%3A1|240%3A1318)?

Seems a bit high unless it has a Reynolds frame.

Otherwise, bike looks like a typical bike boom gas pipe pipe.


I agree.

Are you talking about the Mercier or some other frame? Am I confused or did you ask for advice and then run right out and buy it? There is less than an hour between your first post and the one just above this.


Sorry about the delayed response my internet is down until Wednesday.


The posting I made on this forum I had already posted in another section(the wrong section).

So no, i had not gone out and bought the bike 15 minute after posting.

Not to say I waited long enough, but you have to understand it's a aggressive market in Vancouver.

So when I see a would-be deal I do my best to snatch it up. S

So far I have bought alot of bikes that are crap, but they have always resold for 5-50% more then what I bought them for after 30 minutes of tooling around and wiping er down!


Back to business, the frame I was talking about was the Mercier. I have inspected the whole bike and judging by the weight(i'm guessing) and the lack of markings, it is not chromoly. That sucks, but still 170 bucks I think I did ok.

JunkYardBike : I am not home at the moment so I can't tell you if the Mercier you posted has the same drop-outs as the one I have. I will check and post up some pictures as soon as I get up and running again.

Big Chainring : The new rims/tires are shiny, but they are kind of useless for cycling in Vancouver. Riding with cheapo steel rims means you either have a death wish or you don't like to stop...ever.


I think that covers it. Thanks.

Shimano did make a low end tourney group in the early 1980s and perhaps 1970s, I can see it has suntour power shifters so I am guessing it originally was equipped with simplex prestige, which broke after 4 months.

I have my doubts about the claim of chromoly but i wasn't unheard of for manufacturers to produce a chromoly frame and hand a bunch of junk steel components on them (schwinn supersport for example). I would make sure it is chromoly, I would say this is a good fixed gear candiate since most of the parts are junk, the frame could be alright, if you're looking for a road bike, I'd pass.


So you bought it... we'll need to see pics of the frame details to tell you if it's worth it. At least you know you can resell it for $200 in Vancouver's inflated market...