Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - Notice the increase in prices for old Raleigh's?

Maybe this "city-bike" trend is raising the prices on these old 3-speeds. I rarely see a super-nice mint-condition Sport worth the ~$200+ asking price, but it seems every vintage Raleigh I see locally starts above $150, no matter the condition. I rather doubt these people are getting these prices though.

some examples from my local CL:

http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/bik/1145587821.html
Raleigh Sprite - $225

http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/bik/1142505157.html
super-rusty Raleigh Sprite step-Through - $200

http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/bik/1141270265.html
Raleigh step-through with Sturmey 3sp - $130

http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/bik/1138633943.html
Raleigh Twenty - $150

http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/bik/1138216831.html
Raleigh 3-sp - $200

I've been on the look-out for a large-sized Raleigh Sport for some time, and now with these prices, my chances just halved. Bah! Maybe the city-bike trend will drop-off a cliff soon :)

You are in Portland - the hotbed of bicycle culture.

I dont' think those prices are out of line, even for Dallas bikes.

You just gotta know where to look. All available for around $125.

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/bik/1144297208.html

http://philadelphia.en.craigslist.org/bik/1142560726.html

http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/bik/1128207089.html

If the fixie phenom is our guide, English city bikes will level off at the $250-$350 range, with the old Raleigh's, which have cred as the 'real' thing, having better top-end potential than a Triumph or a Hercules (same bike, different badge).

I have a very clean '76 Raleigh Sprite, looks like it might be time to sell soon

I bought a his & hers pair of '70s Raleigh Sports recently for $20 each at a garage sale. They were both in great, rideable condition but the boy's has a wrinkled rear fender.

Checking e-bay, I saw a similar girl's version sell for $265 plus shipping. Looking at completed listings, it seems prices range from $60 to $300, depending on condition and the quality of the listing.

Males a lot of sense, really, when you consider demand, vintage street cred, and what new city bikes are selling for.

You are in Portland - the hotbed of bicycle culture.

I dont' think those prices are out of line, even for Dallas bikes.

Yes, I shouldn't be too surprised actually. Maybe I'll just have to live with a Flying Pigeon Raleigh clone. It just seems high. But, as I always say, let the market decide :)

I've noticed it here on Rhode Island CL the bikes have doubled in the last year with clowns using the E-bay lingo of rare, one of a kind ect.ect. people wanting $150.00 for a girls 1970's. Or trying to get $125.00 for a Tyler(Polish)Raleigh knockoff. I'm not even talking about the dreamers with over the top prices for low-end ten speeds "It's French!".

Moved thread. It isn't a value request, but the topic is value.