Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - 83-84 Specialized Allez SE

1983 or 1984 Specialized Allez SE. Frame is in great shape. I'm really close to purchasing this bike, it has all original parts (mainly shimano 600) and paint in decent condition, just really needs a little lovin'. seller is asking 400, two cycling buddies say good deal, one says no way, too high, and I have been hunting for pricing info for the last two days, the closest I got was this bike on ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-1984-Specialized-Allez-Road-Bike-Bicycle-Clean_W0QQitemZ220359907940QQcmdZViewItemQQptZRoad_Bikes?hash=item220359907940&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A1%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50

(one I may buy is red, but I don't really think that matters)

My .02: $400 is too high.

+1 $400 is too high. I routinely see comparable bikes for $250 or less.

At the same time, if it the particular model you want, in the size you want, you can argue that it does have $400 worth of "value". Just look at the new bike market, and see what $800 buys.

But I would not pay that kind of price, when I know in a few weeks of looking, I could find something for less (like the Nishiki Prestige I picked up Sunday, all Tange 2 Infinity tubing, etc; or the Lotus Classique I bought earlier, with all Tange 1 Champion tubing, or the Schwinn Tempo, Columbus Tenax). I could list several more.

I really like the 1980s Japanese bikes, and have a lot of them right now. So I appreciate the quality.

This Allez SE is an '85 through early '86 model. The SE was introduced May of 84 and was full Superbe Pro. Here's the spec page from the intro for 84 catalog:

http://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/v/Randy+Dugan/allez/pg+5.jpg.html?g2_imageViewsIndex=1

Allez SE Blurb from pg 2:

http://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/v/Randy+Dugan/allez/pg+2.jpg.html

These are built by Miyata and are equivalent to their best bike models, which sell for better than $400 in this shape all the time. I would and have paid more than that for a clean example of this Allez SE but with that said, $250-300 is the more common result over the last year or so. I do own and love one of these bikes. Can't say enough about how well these ride.

For $400, you can get the Carbon model, the Epic, if you're patient.
I'm thinking more $250 in this market, but yours may differ.

These are built by Miyata and are equivalent to their best bike models, which sell for better than $400 in this shape all the time. I would and have paid more than that for a clean example of this bike but with that said, $250-300 is the more common result over the last year or so. I do own and love one of these bikes. Can't say enough about how well these ride.

I have had several Univegas, all made by Miyata. But buyers around here will not pay Miyata prices for them. I can tell them all day long that it really is a Miyata, but since it doesn't say Miyata on the side of the bike, they won't pay for it. I enjoyed the "Univega" discount when I bought one for personal use, so no whining on this subject.

I would like to do better convincing buyers to pay up for "just like" and "same as" bikes, as I have several in the to be sold stack. I also have a Miyata, which it at least will garner a "Miyata" price premium. But of my "to sell" bikes right now, the Nishiki is really the nicest one IMHO. Maybe I can come up with an "excuse" to keep it.:):):)

I have had several Univegas, all made by Miyata. But buyers around here will not pay Miyata prices for them. I can tell them all day long that it really is a Miyata, but since it doesn't say Miyata on the side of the bike, they won't pay for it. I enjoyed the "Univega" discount when I bought one for personal use, so no whining on this subject.

I would like to do better convincing buyers to pay up for "just like" and "same as" bikes, as I have several in the to be sold stack. I also have a Miyata, which it at least will garner a "Miyata" price premium. But of my "to sell" bikes right now, the Nishiki is really the nicest one IMHO. Maybe I can come up with an "excuse" to keep it.:):):)

True in every sense and be that as it may, it seems a bit wrong to me. Is the market value of an Allez SE set one way and a Miyata Pro another because people don't understand that they're the same bike? I'm thinking that once the reality is better understood, real world values will get much closer together.

In any event, they are, along with the Univega and the Centurion and the Nashbar and the Nishiki and so on. The Gran Premio is a great bike if you're looking for something understated and the Centurion has the most blinged out detailwork. What's the Nishiki like, in terms of its details?

Just for the future searchers: This bike was very clean, not perfect but clean and featured free shipping to the 48. Sold for $455. 52cm, 'Jim Merz' decal-ed blue 85 Allez SE.

Just for the future searchers: This bike was very clean, not perfect but clean and featured free shipping to the 48. Sold for $455.

Never would have brought that here, but eBay is fairly volatile. CL one here sold last fall for $265, I think, full 600 tricolor group, in grey. Red probably did matter. Still, a great price for the seller, in my opinion.

There's an '86 Ironman going here, Dura Ace/105 upgrades with STI's, asking $450. Compared to the Allez, equal frame, equal group, better shifters, new wheelset to accommodate 8-sp, and the same price. Drop the shipping, the the comparison's not bad. $375 would buy an equal Ironman all day, generally, shipped. I missed a Specialized carbon Epic for $350 not long ago, CL here, so maybe our market is lower on those models.

I believe that the bike is worth the price paid and I think that the two keys to the sale were ad presentation and really good condition. Free shipping was another good move on the part of the seller; might have earned him that last extra $50.

The last time I posted mine on NYC CL, I was asking $400 for a similar Allez SE, in similar condition. Mine didn't sell but did cause quite a stir and generated a lot of compliments and questions. I was left feeling that I get my price pretty easily if I sold at season's height (I placed my ad in late Oct).

I believe that the bike is worth the price paid and I think that the two keys to the sale were ad presentation and really good condition. Free shipping was another good move on the part of the seller; might have earned him that last extra $50.

The last time I posted mine on NYC CL, I was asking $400 for a similar Allez SE, in similar condition. Mine didn't sell but did cause quite a stir and generated a lot of compliments and questions. I was left feeling that I get my price pretty easily if I sold at season's height (I placed my ad in late Oct).

I believe that the bike is worth the price paid and I think that the two keys to the sale were ad presentation and really good condition. Free shipping was another good move on the part of the seller; might have earned him that last extra $50.

The last time I posted mine on NYC CL, I was asking $400 for a similar Allez SE, in similar condition. Mine didn't sell but did cause quite a stir and generated a lot of compliments and questions. I was left feeling that I get my price pretty easily if I sold at season's height (I placed my ad in late Oct).

Agreed. It may be "above market," but it's a lot of steel bike for that money.

Great news, then. I'm hiking my prices. Allez and Epic's here just aren't bringing that. Even with shipping, a flip would make $100. I know a guy willing to sell an Allez, too, if he can get the other bike he wants. At these prices, he'll get the other bike and net out positive selling the Allez.

Thanks for all the information. decided to wait it out for something that peaks my interest a bit more.

Like an Ironman...:D