Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - REALLY small Schwinn Caliente value

My dad picked up this extremely clean Caliente to try and flip. We paid $60 for it. How much could I get for it? Its weird and like nothing I have ever seen before. Its like its made for a child or something. Its got 24" 27's on it, Shimano components and is literally nearly perfect. Please let me know about the indication of the year, etc and value. My camera if wigging out so I will post pics later.

I'm not really familiar with the Caliente but I think it was one of the entry level light weights.

I'm assuming the bike is for a very short rider... I have seen other bikes around here with tiny front wheels but I can't really say if that is the case with yours.

Condition is probably key since it is not a high end bike, even at that the old grease probably needs replaced by now.

Is your bike anything like this one:
http://oldtenspeedgallery.com/owner-submitted/marks-80s-womens-schwinn-caliente/

Unfortunately not alot. Most of the major manufacturers still make 24" wheeled road bikes for kids which helps to keep the older bikes prices in check. Back in the 80's we sold a fair number of those. Sales dropped out when when 24" mountain bikes hit the scene.

$50

+1 24 inch wheel bikes are considered kids bikes, and not much value there. What he paid is close to full market value.

I have never had any luck trying to sell 24 inch wheeled bikes, I ended up donating a couple o them. I avoid them as flippers.

Flip bikes need to be adult road bikes, with cromoly frames, cotterless cranks and alloy rims. Anything below that grade wise will cost you as much to fix up as you will be able to get for it.

My comments are about the local market in my area. Your market could be different....

Does it have nice alloy cranks or cheap stamped steel ones? I have had a few of these pass through my hands over the past year, and the one that I fixed up for a former co-worker had a really nice 165 length Sugina crank set. If the bike had not fit her short statue so well, I was going to sell the cranks to some fixie hipster.

In really great shape, for the right person, it might be worth $100. If it has the nice cranks, you could get most of that value and donate the rest.

If I had to guess, the bike would probably fit someone no taller that 5'1 or so. Its tiny but its in fabulous shape. Near perfect. I will try to get pics up later. So really, no more than $100?

Here are some pics...Let me know if anyone changed their mind on the value lol.

Here are some pics...Let me know if anyone changed their mind on the value lol.

I'll bump up my initial assessment. In a strong market with a well written ad $150. Heck, if I had kid needing a small bike I'd drop $150 for it.

This thread is great example of why pictures are needed.

Yeah I was thinking somewhere around their. realistically. In a perfect world, because if the condition, I would think it should go for more. Anyone have any idea of the year, etc. of this bike?

I think your dreaming at this price:

http://portland.craigslist.org/clc/bik/1111854761.html

Hi-Ten frame still caps it at $100 for me.

None of the components have any real part-out value

+1 Wild price. It will be a good indication of how hot your market is. Around here, that bike might get $120 at most.

FWIW, the GMC Denali Boys 24" 21-speed is a fraction of the craiglist asking price and readily available at Target (http://www.target.com/Boys%E2%80%99-GMC-Denali-Road-Bike/dp/B000GU68S2)or via Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/GMC-Denali-Boys-24-Inch-Road/dp/B000GU68S2).
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51GTvMBvZgL._SS400_.jpg
Not vintage nor classic, but relevant with respect to value.

I think your dreaming at this price:

http://portland.craigslist.org/clc/bik/1111854761.html


wurd...outrageous.


FWIW, the GMC Denali Boys 24" 21-speed is a fraction of the craiglist asking price and readily available at Target (http://www.target.com/Boys%E2%80%99-GMC-Denali-Road-Bike/dp/B000GU68S2)or via Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/GMC-Denali-Boys-24-Inch-Road/dp/B000GU68S2).
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51GTvMBvZgL._SS400_.jpg
Not vintage nor classic, but relevant with respect to value.


If those Denalis are going for $190 the Schwinns worth $150...max.

The caliente name was used in two different eras of schwinn. Afew were made in the chicago factory era later ones were mostly made in china. The later were comparable to a hi-end Murry of the same time. The Schwinn name does add some value as your bike usually started its life in a local bike shop being put together with care and problably was maintained there as well. I would sell a bike like that around here for about $40 but I live in the top cheapskate area of the country