Classic and Vintage Bicycles: What's it Worth? Appraisals and Inquiries - Raleigh Grand Prix

Is this bike (http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/bik/1155014975.html) worth $100? I have agreed to meet the guy for today (Tuesday). It appears to be in extremely good condition, but my guess is probably not as good as yours. :thumb: I was thinking about converting it to a fixed gear. It is a 58cm frame (or at least that is what he told me). I modified the listing below so that it is easier on your eyes and brain. :)

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Raleigh Road Bike - $100

I have here this nice Raleigh Grand Prix road bike. Let me tell you I'm an old school BMX freak, but this road bike rides like a dream. All original and made in England. Of course the tires are not original. I just put on a new set of tires and tubes.

http://images.craigslist.org/3ke3pb3lcZZZZZZZZZ9547ce96bab4a711796.jpg http://images.craigslist.org/3ka3pe3lbZZZZZZZZZ9548325f95f4a801e57.jpg http://images.craigslist.org/3n63md3l0ZZZZZZZZZ954a195469164bd1ac2.jpg

If it's in good working condition, then it's worth $100. The thought of it being turned into a fixie makes me sad.

I would say maybe... Here are my reasons

It's just an ok bike, it has a high ten frame with decent entry level components. The Grand Prix was one notch above the Raleigh record which was the lowest level model with drop bars.

It's not a good flip price, but if it is clean, complete and ready to ride then I'd say its a good deal.
If it needs, grease, cables tape etc etc then I would say 100.00 is pushing it just a bit. Of course I don't know how hot the market you live in is.

That said, it looks like it is clean so go see it in person. Ask if he has re-packed any of the bearings or done any other service. The saddle is a replacement but the original wasn't anything fancy.

http://sheldonbrown.com/retroraleighs/catalogs/1977/images/05-77-grand-prix.jpg

http://sheldonbrown.com/retroraleighs/grand-prix.html

Well, I am not completely set on making it a fixie. Before I got my Centurion Le Mans, I was planning on converting it to fixed, but then I learned the background of it and now I see it as a special bike that I am attached to, and now I am trying to touch it up a bit here and a bit there. So I just might do the same with this Raleigh. It sure is a beautiful bike (from what I see in the pictures). What would you guys say it should sell for?

it would make a good fixie or single speed, thats the way i have mine set up, winter bike. $100 would be a good price in chicago. but things have gotten super expensive here. offer him $75. Its a good bike but nothing fancy or special. Not that long ago you could find something like this in a garage sale for next to nothing, things have changed though.

the original wheels where steel but the cranks were alloy and non-cottered. The frame is solid but nothing fancy. Its geometry is pretty relaxed making it a good bike for long rides and commuting. from what i know, it was a good deal at the time, when alot of entry level road bikes featured steel cottered cranks. In chicago something like this would sell for nearly $200, but chicago is special that way that an entry level road bike from the 70s can fetch nearly the same price it got back in 1976.

Steel-rimmed bikes that aren't especially unique or from the early 70's and earlier just aren't worth much. The components are solid, and the Raleigh frames have a nice ride, but I'd be uncomfortable paying more than $75 for a steel-wheeled bike like that. Alloy wheels? At least $100, no problem.

I don't think it's ever a bad thing to make a bike a fixed gear or single speed, even really nice ones. So long as no damage is being done I don't see the harm.

I have one in the garage now, waiting with a few others, for their makeovers so they can go back on the CL block. It seems very nice for a low end bike. In a hot market I would say $75-100 would be okay.

If you buy it and turn it into a fixie, what are your plans for the take off parts? I ask, because I might be interested in the down tube shifters.

I was going to say make an offer of 75 or less. but people already beat me. I was looking on ebay and someone sold a Grand Prix. if you look at epay one just sold for 56 dollars that says its beat up.(but didn't look to bad in photos) and I see another that sold for $185. just look for nicks in the paint. weather cracked or half worn tires. rusty cables or chain. the more you see wrong and point out maybe they will take less. also take a print out of ebay of the one that sold for 56 dollars. do a search by title name only and print it out. http://completed.shop.ebay.com/items/_W0QQLHQ5fCompleteZ1?_nkw=vintage+raleigh+grand+prix+road+bike+bicycle+suntour&_sacat=0&_trksid=p3286.m270.l1313&_odkw=Grand+Prix+raleigh&_osacat=0

Sadly, he said that the price is $100 firm...but we will have to see how god the frame is. Sonatageek...I am sending you a PM now.

If when you see it you find that it's in good condition and you like it, then I say it's worth the 25.00 extra. That's not a huge difference if it is in really nice shape. If it's beat, thats another story.

$100 if your the end user is fair. Whats nice is that crankset, nubolt the inner ring and your good to go for your fixie project!!

$100 is a fair price for that bike. And I think it's perfect fixie bait. I'd much prefer to see an entry-level bike converted, than to have a better bike converted.

Steel-rimmed bikes that aren't especially unique or from the early 70's and earlier just aren't worth much. The components are solid, and the Raleigh frames have a nice ride, but I'd be uncomfortable paying more than $75 for a steel-wheeled bike like that. Alloy wheels? At least $100, no problem.

+1 I avoid steel rim bikes. For a little more, you should be able to find something decent with a better frame and alloy rims.

+1 Perfect fixie bait. Its not like it is a high end collectable road bike.

FYI I just saw a posting in the Hartford, CT area for a 1971 era Raleigh Grand Prix, with what appeared to be the original Simplex derailleurs. Posted wanted $250.00 (!!). I think $100 is more than enough.

Those simplex derailleurs aren't anything to be bragging about. I love my Grand Prix (paid $100), but I've also changed out everything but the headset, hubs, and seat post.

Okay people. When I went to meet the seller, I decided to stay behind a wall and peak around it to see if the seller got there. I waited and waited, when suddenly the seller stormed in the parking lot in a truck, and had a bike rack on the back. HE DID NOT HAVE ANY BIKE WITH HIM. The lot was empty, so he circled it a few times like a madman with his home-boy in the passenger seat. Did I mention that the passenger was holding something shiny? Now I don't know what would have happened had I been in the lot waiting, but I am pretty sure he was ready to off me, and get away with my Giant Brass 1 bike and over $100 in cash. I mistakenly told him (through email) that I would be riding my bike there to meet him. So I didn't get the bike that he never had.

Okay people. When I went to meet the seller, I decided to stay behind a wall and peak around it to see if the seller got there.

Why would you do that in the first place?


Did I mention that the passenger was holding something shiny?

Did you positively ID it as something resembling a firearm or knife?


Your story is of such a far-fetched and scripted nature that I do not believe a word of it. D- for imagination, C+ for scriptwriting.

-Kurt

You can think whatever you would like. I saw what happened, and did not make any of that up. I was peeking around the wall because the whole thing seemed a bit sketchy because he would answer his phone, but when I would tell him who it was, he would hang up. I had to contact him through 2 different email addresses just to get a three letter answer.

. D- for imagination, C+ for scriptwriting.

-Kurt

A for punctuation.

WTF is going on in this thread?

Why would you be riding your bike to go and buy a bike?

Why would someone put a bike rack on a truck? Do you mean SUV?

His home boy? Do gang bangers frequently roll with bike racks in your hood?

I'm so confused :(

Why would you be riding your bike to go and buy a bike?


Because I do not drive yet (I am 17 and my parents wont let me get my permit/license until I am 18; they wouldn't give me a ride either)



Why would someone put a bike rack on a truck?


How the hell am I supposed to know?



Do you mean SUV?


No



His home boy?


Yes. The seller's name was Jose and he was dressed like a gangster.



Do gang bangers frequently roll with bike racks in your hood?


Well, they don't. This guy resides in Orange, and I rarely go there.

I believe you man. I live in socal too and I see some shady stuff going on with this whole bike craze. Alot of stolen bikes, alot of people trying to take advantage. There is alot of good people too though, just trust your instincts. Thanks for the warning.

Why would someone put a bike rack on a truck? Do you mean SUV?

More importantly, how do you mount a bike rack to the tailgate of a truck - unless it is a hitch rack?

For that matter, let us consider that this fellow was a bike thief, and was out to get Austin Rice's Giant Brass 1. Why would the thief bring a bike rack with a pickup truck? The Giant would get plopped into the bed quicker then a flash, and even if Austin could call law enforcement afterwords, there would be far less of a chance spotting a pickup with a bicycle concealed in its bed then the same truck with a bicycle on a hitch rack.


Yes. The seller's name was Jose and he was dressed like a gangster.

How does a pickup-truck drivin' gangster named Jose dress? :roflmao:


-Kurt

:wtf: What the hell is your problem Kurt?

:wtf: What the hell is your problem Kurt?

Just trying to point out the obvious, make sense of the curious, and laugh at the humorous.

-Kurt

WTF is going on in this thread?

Cliff notes:

OP was looking for a bike
Seller seemed shady
Seller wanted to meet in parking lot
OP used caution with the meeting
OP almost got capped
Cudak busted OP balls for hiding behind a wall
OP is pizzed at Cudak for calling him a puzzy

+1 I avoid steel rim bikes. For a little more, you should be able to find something decent with a better frame and alloy rims.

+1 Perfect fixie bait. Its not like it is a high end collectable road bike.

No kidding on #2. However, on #1, some of this particular model had a Brampton flip-flop track hub on the rear. Despite the steel rims, the Hubs alone can be worth more than a new wheelset.

best "what is it worth thread" ever.

Cliff notes:

But no cliffhanger? What kind of a novelist do you think you are, Jim?

-Kurt

But no cliffhanger? What kind of a novelist do you think you are, Jim?

-Kurt

Evidently not a good one.....

As a side note and I've said this before, I always have 1 in the chamber with the safety off if more than 1 person shows up to look at bike.

Evidently not a good one.....

I never said I was Phil Silvers.


As a side note and I've said this before, I always have 1 in the chamber with the safety off if more than 1 person shows up to look at bike.

Oh? A&S members visit your house frequently?

-Kurt

Oh? A&S members visit your house frequently?

-Kurt

I've had a few who fit the profile show up. To be honest, I've yet to have an issue.

Speaking of A&S peeps, I'm thinking of making a cameo at the coop next Monday. If the weathers nice I'll drive my Corvette with its '6 MPG' vanity plate.