Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Are these people insane?

http://tinyurl.com/2vlpk

80's entry-level Panasonic track bike...I figure this bike is worth around $150, _maybe_ $200 for a local purchase from someone I know. Some moron is gonna pay $423 plus $50 shipping....more than a NEW, warranteed Specialized Langster, a much nicer bike, IMHO. I'm an ebay newbie. Is this some sort of shill-bidding scam or do people actually pay these insane prices?

I'm not really sure how much its worth, but if you ask me, it is a pretty hot bike. Probably worth more than $423.

C

I think it was the frame bag/shoulder carrying pad that shot the bidding up. That and the shots of the people's hands and barefeet too.

No, I think it was the ugly ass white dog sculpture thingy on the left side of the second pic... God knows I'd pay 423$ to be able to smash that into the next ****er who cuts me off.

"What the **** was that?"

I dunno, if they dropped 500 on it and enjoyed it, where's the harm? I bet i will end up with 500 in my fuji before it's done. Resell it for 500? No friggin way.

Looks like a nice bike to me.

http://tinyurl.com/2vlpk

80's entry-level Panasonic track bike...I figure this bike is worth around $150, _maybe_ $200 for a local purchase from someone I know. Some moron is gonna pay $423 plus $50 shipping....more than a NEW, warranteed Specialized Langster, a much nicer bike, IMHO. I'm an ebay newbie. Is this some sort of shill-bidding scam or do people actually pay these insane prices?

The fact that you think it is worth X and somebody thinks it is worth Y means that you don't value it as much as the other person. Not that he overpaid. He paid what he wanted to for it and that's what it's worth. No shill bidding involved. Maybe he thinks you are the moron for not bidding enough.

fixedgearhead

http://tinyurl.com/2vlpk

80's entry-level Panasonic track bike...I figure this bike is worth around $150, _maybe_ $200 for a local purchase from someone I know. Some moron is gonna pay $423 plus $50 shipping....more than a NEW, warranteed Specialized Langster, a much nicer bike, IMHO. I'm an ebay newbie. Is this some sort of shill-bidding scam or do people actually pay these insane prices?

Japanese built bikes of that period are considered some of the finest. Cost considerations made them move their factories to Taiwan around that time, and some brands disappeared altogether from US market (could not keep up with rising exchange rates and competition from stuff from Taiwan). To put things in perspective, a ordinary taiwanese langster and a handbuilt japanese steel are not comparable in a certain sense. That is not to take away anything from langster though and I agree that langster is a fine bike for the price.

i was waiting for someone to say something about how panasonic bikes from the late 70s/early 80s are some of the finest...i worked on a panasonic road bike (DX-1000) today that was in pretty good condition, and a fun as hell bike to ride around the parking lot. the panasonics were actually better than some of the bianchis coming out around the same period....they also do titanium.

I'd much rather have that panasonic than a langster any day...I think that price was fine...a complete steel lugged track bike for under $500? that's a good deal, IMO.

i was waiting for someone to say something about how panasonic bikes from the late 70s/early 80s are some of the finest...i worked on a panasonic road bike (DX-1000) today that was in pretty good condition, and a fun as hell bike to ride around the parking lot. the panasonics were actually better than some of the bianchis coming out around the same period....they also do titanium.

The very first fixed gear conversion I did was a 70 Panasonic Touring frame and even though it was a size too large for me it has remained one that I will never sell as it rides so smoothly and is a beautifully put together bike. They indeed made some of the finest bikes of that era and were known as such at the time, and are now by those that can find them and appreciate them. A worthy purchase if you come across one. Not as much cache' as an old Italian Track frame but, in their own way, a great bike.

fixedgearhead

I'd much rather have that panasonic than a langster any day...I think that price was fine...a complete steel lugged track bike for under $500? that's a good deal, IMO.

Hmm, I dunno...Tange 900 tubing was common on cheapo sport-tourers around that time - Shogun, Nishiki, Centurion. These bikes were considered entry level even when they were new. Same goes for the Sansin hubs. This was an off-brand Taiwanese manufacturer...one notch above department store quality.

Anyway, thanks for the info. Seems like there's money to be made selling old track stuff on Ebay. I can buy equipment here in So Cal for less than half of what these people are paying.

I was the second-to-last bidder on this bike; I bid-sniped the third to last bidder, but got counter-sniped by heirphoto (who ended up winning the bike). The bike was already at $350 when I bid, and I set my max bid to ~$420. I had been looking at fixed gear bikes for a while, and considered all of my options. Building a bike from scratch, with all new components, would cost me $800+. Converting a road bike to a fixie, with decent (read: used) components, would cost no less than $450. Therefore a track bike with track components for ~$450 seemed like a steal, not to mention the fact that it was my size and I was specifically looking for a black and yellow bike. I do admit that it did sell for more than it is probably worth, but I wouldn't have felt bad at all paying $400 for it. How many Panasonic track bikes do you see on the street, anyway? They're pretty rare. This guy (http://www.fixedgearfever.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=81) was trying to sell his Panasonic track bike for about the same price. Sure, the sum of the components aren't worth that much, in and of themselves, but if you're trying to piece together a fixie, 20 compoents at $20 each quickly adds up to at least $400. Yesterday I finally gave up with the ebay hastle and ordered a Mark V from IRO (http://www.irocycle.com/). Tony, the owner, was great and let me choose all of the components. It ended up costing me ~$700, which I think is a great deal. He will even have it ready to ship on Tuesday.

Good stuff is hard to find. Sometimes you get lucky and sometimes you have to follow the little voice that prods you toward a particular type of bike. The Panasonic was sweet, you (likely) will not see another on any ride that you do. I got lucky on the Paramount track that I found. Perfect condition, full Suntour Superbe track group and complete track bag of rings and cogs. In addition to a carbon road fork for brake duties. $350. Will I found anything like that for the same money again? Only if the haystack is pretty bare and the sun hits that needle just right.

Glad you found something. The IRO's are great and service is equally good. Buile of the Roy for my brother to ride as a fixed/ss. Good deal.

Dave

"Perfect condition, full Suntour Superbe track group and complete track bag of rings and cogs. In addition to a carbon road fork for brake duties. $350."


wow! really? only $350? that's awesome.

Right place, right time, and a whole lotta luck. I guess I should have been more clear on the fork after rereading the above. The carbon fork was in addition to the stock steel track fork.

Hey Syntax, let us know when you get the IRO V and give some feedback on it as well as some pics. We love the pics.

Dave

that wasn't an ebay find was it?

No, local shop employee bought it from the original owner who only used it on the rollers in the winter. Employee bought it for <get ready to cringe> $175. The employee added new tires (tubulars), a set of stoker bars, front brake/lever, and fork. I basically bought it for what he had in it when you figure the wholesale cost of the add-ons. He knew I had two converted fixies and when he found the fixed thing was not his bag, offered it to me. Took it instantly.

Dave

that's incredible...do you have pics of it?

There are a few on the fixed gear gallery. My other two are there as well. The Paramount is #613 or http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/2004/aukerman10.htm

Dave

There are a few on the fixed gear gallery. My other two are there as well. The Paramount is #613 or http://www.fixedgeargallery.com/2004/aukerman10.htm

Dave

super nice bike


t

Thanks.

Dave

"Converting a road bike to a fixie, with decent (read: used) components, would cost no less than $450."

Syntax, You've gotta seek more creative solutions than traditional purchases. Given a little bit of time, you can create a fixie for well under 100 bucks.

Heck, you couldve selected from several fixies for under 100 bucks at the Museum swap a few weeks ago.

Given a little bit of time, you can create a fixie for well under 100 bucks.

Time was something I was without; I would rather have spent the extra $$$ to have something to ride now than wait a couple weeks/months to piece everything together. Plus, exaggerating the price aided my argument that I was not "insane" in bidding $400+ for the Panasonic ;)


Heck, you couldve selected from several fixies for under 100 bucks at the Museum swap a few weeks ago.

Operative word being "couldve" (past tense). But that's just me trying to justify my (possibly also "insane") IRO purchase. Anyway, I'm happy with my decision.

"Converting a road bike to a fixie, with decent (read: used) components, would cost no less than $450."

Syntax, You've gotta seek more creative solutions than traditional purchases. Given a little bit of time, you can create a fixie for well under 100 bucks.

Heck, you couldve selected from several fixies for under 100 bucks at the Museum swap a few weeks ago.

He who builds the cheapest bike ends up with a cheap bike.
Not necessarily a better bike.
Build what you like.
Buy what you like.
Ride what you like.


fixedgearhead